The Diluted Church: Calling Believers To Live Out Of Their True Heritage [Paperback]

Timothy L. Price (Author), Jon Zens (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2005

From the Publisher: In this systematic study, author Timothy L. Price examines two of the most explosive subjects in conversation: religion and politics. Addressed mainly to religious conservatives, this book asks as many questions to the ¿Religious-Right¿ about their approach. This work exposes hypocrisy and ignorance that are part and parcel with accepting the religious conservative bandwagon as a legitimate way of expressing Christ to a non-believing society. The author is detailed in exposing the fallacy of using politics to do the church¿s work. This book is about redirecting the energy of the ¿Religious-Right,¿ from being aggressive and self-righteous, to becoming more like Christ. If culture change is what the religious conservatives want, why are they so afraid to change themselves? Why do they assume that culture change should be in their direction? And why are they vehemently opposed any person of faith that would credibly question their sense rightness? Get this book and discover why.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

In this systematic study, author Timothy L. Price examines two of the most explosive subjects in conversation: religion and politics. Addressed mainly to the religious conservatives, this book asks as many questions to the "Religious-Right" about their approach.

This work exposes hypocrisy and ignorance that are part and parcel with accepting the religious conservative bandwagon as a legitimate way of expressing Christ to a non-believing society. The author is detailed in exposing the fallacy of using politics to do the church's work. This book is about redirecting the energy of the "Religious-Right," from being aggressive and self-righteous, to becoming more like Christ.

If culture change is what the religious conservatives want, why are they so afraid to change themselves? Why do they assume that culture change should be in their direction? And why are they vehemently opposed any person of faith that would credibly question their sense rightness? Get this book and discover why.

From the Back Cover

Politics and the Church

Anyone who considers political involvement to be a must for Christians needs to read this book!

The debate over "Christian" political involvement has raged on for centuries. Few books deal with this topic comprehensively. Most take one side or the other. This book is different! Looking at Church History, the entire Bible record and analyzing the present out-flow of the organized church today: it becomes obvious that some details have not been considered in the common ideas employed by politically active Christians.

Through this book you will: · Discover a larger perspective on history that should help us be who we really are: Disciples of the Living God. · Have a realistic picture of the religious conservative experience. · Deal with questions you may have been afraid to ask. · Get answers that are not readily available from conservatives. · Struggle for truth that can become your personal conviction. · Be able to open a part of your life to God that was closed by group thinking.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 276 pages
• Publisher: Ekklesia Press (June 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976522209
• ISBN-13: 978-0976522201
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,449,637 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I grew up in Nebraska in a middle class family. I've served honorably in the military, graduated from Omaha Bible School in 1989. I've worked in many industries and capacities. Currently, in my day job, I'm a salesman at a regional retailer.

I grew up in an environment of religious conservative thought. However, I rejected this half of civil religion as well as the other half (liberal christianity) as mere replacement therapies for what Christ taught. Part of my personal "evolution" circles around what I have learned in research for writing as well as what many sufferings at the hands of what I call "churchianity" when one asks questions they don't want to entertain.

My experience, my reading and a nose for circumspect analysis present me with the opportunity to consider many of today's religious "hot topics" from a perspective beyond the contexts of presupposition in which most have been couched. I hope to challenge empty tradition, the status quo and static belief-in-a-belief with the dynamic of relationship with God; Who is moving and doing new things all the time.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "The Diluted Church" ...refreshing!, June 13, 2006

By 

Krdjis (Albert Lea, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Diluted Church: Calling Believers To Live Out Of Their True Heritage (Paperback)

On the whole, Price's book is a tad bit conservative for me to fully align myself with it, but I believe--with respect to our biblical imperative and the role of the church in relation to the state, and the role of the church in today's society as a whole--it is one of the most clear-headed books about modern Christianity I've head the pleasure of reading. Price argues that we not spoon feed ourselves with the teachings of the church without considering first whether there is a sound biblical basis for these teachings. A friend of mine sent me a copy of this book a few weeks ago...and my dad, who is a Lutheran pastor, ordered of his own after I told him about it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Something which is needed in the church world, October 9, 2005

By 

William D. Dickson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Diluted Church: Calling Believers To Live Out Of Their True Heritage (Paperback)

Tim Price in this book has written how the church needs to keep it's eye on the Lord and impacting others for him and not get caught up with the notion that political action is the answer. I'm thankful Tim has written "The Diluted Church." You may not agree with Tim on everything I don't but it still has things we need to ponder.

Timothy Price believes those on the religious right should admit something is wrong. Price has outlined why that should be done in "The Diluted Church.".

Tim says religious conseratives are going about doing things the same as they were 40 years ago even though much hasn't changed.

Price believes many Fundamentalist, Evangelical and Charismatic leaders have taken their cues from sources other than the scriptures.

"In all the current clamor to "reclaim our culture" and "bring America back to God," have we not forgotten a very important perspective? Peter noted, "For it is time for judgment to begain with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" (1 Pet. 4:17; cf. 1 Cor. 5:9-13). Price writes.

"The Diluted Church" says the church needs to get it own act together before going after the sinners of this world.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Organized Christian Churches Miss the Point, January 9, 2007

By 

Thomas Stover (South Dakota & North Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Diluted Church: Calling Believers To Live Out Of Their True Heritage (Paperback)

I've long thought that most mainline churches miss the basic points Jesus tried to teach us. When I saw a brief article here in a Nebraska newspaper about a book on the subject written by a fellow Nebraskan, I bought it (and was impressed to find it available on Amazon.com.)

The book makes two points: (1) the weakness of the church due to tie-ins with the government (2) the weakness in meeting Christian goals due to the organizational dead weight of the denominational structures themselves. There is much more emphasis on point one.

Price notes that we have had government/Christian church tie-ins since the conversion of Constantine. He's convinced that it hasn't been for the good of the religion. Too many concessions are made to religious values in order to support governments in power.

He also thinks far too many people equate their patriotic support of their country as citizens as support for God as well. But he claims that this can "feed the human mind with division, prejudice and most every kind of evil ever devised." Perhaps we can see support for this point of view when we consider the extreme views given to immigration issues or the American torture of foreigners in the name of national security. While it might be interesting that Price was a member of the US Army, his personal experiences in that time of service to America don't seem to be a source for this book.

In my view, Price makes a major detour from the purpose of his book in Chapter 1. He might likely lose many readers on this detour when he attacks evolutionary theory and even the generally accepted dating process of Carbon-14 analysis. His attack is short, weak and unsubstantiated. And it has nothing to do with politics and the church.

One can hope that in the current political era that some of those considered to be in the "religious right" might, in reading this book, see flaws in their political zeal. We Christians need to remember that in our support of the two great commandments that our neighbors also live beyond the borders of our own 50 states.

Tom Stover

Gering, NE