Customer Reviews

Faith in the Halls of Power: How Evangelicals Joined the American Elite

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
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Michael Lindsay's Faith in the Halls of Power is a compelling read. His book reveals what is really going on behind the scenes in the evangelical world.

It is extremely encouraging to any evangelical who has become weary over the negative image of evangelicals. There is a lot of good happening out there that Lindsay reveals through his many interviews. It is a very intriguing study filled with real life stories of Christians who are in places of strategic leadership.

Those in the non-evangelical world would gain tremendous insights from this book as well.

Barry Landrum

Read it, think about it, and talk about it! A thought provoking, well researched book about a group who are running a large part of America. I like the fact that it is non partisan. D Michael Lindsay is definitely a sociologist on the up.

I couldn't believe the number and scope of people who Michael was able to interview for this amazing book. My jaw dropped at some of the people who he had interviewed to make this book a must read. It truly sheds a new light on the importance of evangalicals role in our country today and how it got that way.

Influence - funny word, interesting concept. Michael Lindsay, professor at Rice University, examines the idea of cultural influence and how evangelicals - those who would say they have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ - have exerted influence at the highest levels in our contemporary society. From politics to the arts, Lindsay found and interviewed literally hundreds of these evangelical men and women and explored their paths to influence. Lindsay notes that evangelical influence in the culture is undergoing resurgence - having taken a back seat to "personal evangelism" and the spiritual disciplines as the sole expression of the Christian faith in years past. Today, Christians do more than read their Bibles and pray - they vote, they paint, they teach in some of the leading universities, they run some of the largest companies...and many more are doing so as Christians than in the recent past. Of course, there was a day following the Reformation up until the time of our Founding Fathers, that it was commonplace for Christians to live and work as followers of Christ - but even recently the story of William Wilberforce once again raised the issue of Christian "ministry" and the idea of one's vocation as one's calling being the same thing.

I found the book an interesting read and a great history lesson valuable for all Christians to understand. Having been raised in a Christian home that engaged the community, I remember learning as a young man that not every Christian believed it was their duty or even their responsibility to make a difference in the world in which they lived. The terms "cultural mandate" or "worldview" were not frequent or familiar to many Christians in the late `60s or early `70s...but today those terms are becoming more familiar and acceptable to the Christian community. Lindsay does a great job of exploring the progress this movement has made, not examining the movement itself, but its slow climb from obscurity and irrelevance to reasonable and relevant. As one employed in this venture at the secondary school level, I found that Lindsay's research stopped short of examining the issue to this degree and depth as he explored the college campus, but not below. I found the book to be interesting, helpful and encouraging and a worthwhile read especially for anyone seeking to make a difference in the world for the cause of Christ.

Lindsay's ability to network and interview so many influential people is quite amazing. I found the interviews most interesting. It is inspiring to learn the specific ways God is working through these people in the areas of politics, academia, entertainment as well as the business world.

Lindsay presents a well-researched message for anyone interested in the evangelical community and its influence in universities, business, and politics. The material does not attempt to sway the reader, but shows how evangelicalism is moving in the areas of power. The book is an easy read and can be informative for young executives to spiritual leaders.

Three years of research brings an excellent, well needed work to the subject of the influence of evangelical Christians in American society. D. Michael Lindsay does an outstanding job. I highly recommend it.

Never before have so many accomplished evangelicals been interviewed by such a bright evangelical as D. Michael Lindsay. I enjoyed insights into the minds and beliefs of these movers and shakers. Reading this book is like taking counsel from folks who daily integrate their faith into their life...I highly recommend this book for those who want to make an impact

A very comprehensive work. A catalyst for extensive discussion of evangelicals in American society. It's so important, I will risk recommending it to my mostly secular men's book club.

I highly recommend this book! It provides an indebt documented treatise on the current role of evangelical leaders in America. This scholarly presentation is great reading! Great Job!