Hijacked: Responding to the Partisan Church Divide [Paperback]

Mike Slaughter (Author), Charles E. Gutenson (Author), Robert P Jones (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2012

Rescue your church from the infiltration of partisan politics.

The last thirty years have seen the political discourse within our country grow more rancorous and increasingly uncivil. During the same period, there has been a growing tendency to conflate one's theological commitments with one's political ideology. As a consequence, partisan politics has infiltrated our churches and political commitments are creating unnecessary divisions. Perhaps of most concern, these trends generally tend to obscure the properly holistic nature of the Gospel of Christ and turn people off to Christianity altogether. Too often, it often seems politics trumps theology. Sadly, this leads to division, where decisions on church direction, and even the content of teaching, gets determined more based on partisan politics than on sound biblical and theological factors.

Hijacked explores this phenomenon, offers analysis, and proposes a way forward.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mike Slaughter, lead pastor at Ginghamsburg Church, is the three-decade dreamer of Ginghamsburg Church and spiritual entrepreneur of ministry marketplace innovations. His life-long passion to reach the lost and set the oppressed free has made him a tireless and leading advocate for the displaced children, women and men of Darfur, Sudan, named by the U.N. as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today. Under Mike’s leadership, Ginghamsburg Church has become known as an early innovator of small group ministry, the Church “media reformation” and cyber-ministry, with the Ginghamsburg website averaging 50,000 visits monthly from around the world. Since initiating The Sudan Project in January 2005, Ginghamsburg has invested over $5 million into humanitarian relief in Darfur. Mike is the author of multiple books for church leaders including Change the World, A Different Kind of Christmas, Spiritual Entrepreneurs, Real Followers, Momentum for Life, UnLearning Church, and Upside Living in a Downside Economy.

Dr. Charles (Chuck) Gutenson is a church consultant andformer Chief Operating Officer of Sojourners. He previously served 10 years atAsbury Seminary in Kentucky, most recently as the professor of Theology andPhilosophy. He received an M.Div. from Asbury in 1995 and a PhD inPhilosophical Theology from Southern Methodist University in 2000. A member ofthe International Society of Theta Phi, an honor society for theological students, scholars in the field of religion and outstanding religious leaders,Chuck is the author of three books (one forthcoming) and numerous articles on avariety of theological and philosophical articles.

Robert P. Jones, Ph.D., is the CEO and founder of Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), a nonprofit, nonpartisan research and education organization dedicated to work at the intersection of religion, values, and public life. Dr. Jones writes a weekly column at “Figuring Faith,” a featured blog at the Washington Post On Faith section. He is a member of the national steering committee for the Religion and Politics Section at the American Academy of Religion and is an active member of the American Association of Public Opinion Research, the American Political Science Association, and the Society of Christian Ethics.  He holds a Ph.D. in religion from Emory University, and a M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Before founding PRRI, Dr. Jones served as assistant professor of religious studies at Missouri State University. Dr. Jones is the author two academic books and numerous peer-review articles on religion and public policy. He is frequently featured in national media stories on religion and politics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press (February 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1426742363
• ISBN-13: 978-1426742361
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.3 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #807,804 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars So happy! April 15, 2012

By E. Morgan

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm so happy that there is a book that acknowledges and adresses that politics has become a problem in the church. I did find the book too wordy and "intellectual" at times. I think the point could have been made on a more reader friendly level. Every pastor needs to read this book. I haven't been to church regularly in three years because of the persecution I faced for voting Democrat. I've been told I'm going to Hell and that I am less of a Christian. Of course, I don't believe any of that but would you go to church with people like that? Knowing that you are being judged by who you vote for rather than for your Christian walk? There is a huge problem in the church and I am happy to see it addressed. Hopefully, there will be more books that address this issue in the future!

14 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read in this political season January 17, 2012

By George

Format:Paperback

Regardless of your politics or faith system this is a must read in these divisive times. Americans must learn how to have civil dialogs in the midst of competing views. Americans will learn to live together or we will tear one another apart. Slaughter, et al call people of faith especially to sit down at the table and discuss the implications of policy and faith.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful read February 20, 2012

By Marty

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is about a subject that has concerned me. The authors clearly outline the problems and don't seem to be pitching their own brand of religion. It is an interesting read.