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The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power Is Destroying the Church

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This is a book by a Christian pastor written for other Christians. Non-Christians may find it interesting to learn that no all evangelicals stand shoulder to shoulder with Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson and Tom DeLay in their understanding of the possibility of a truly Christian government. Falwell, Robertson, DeLay, Roy Moore, Tim LaHaye, and a host of others on the Religious Right believe that it is the duty of Christians today to "Take Back America for God." Some (such as Ten Commandments Judge Roy Moore), inspired by the unusual writings of R. J. Rushdoony and Gary North, actually want to make the United States a theocracy, with the constitution trumped by the laws in the Bible. These are the people that Boyd has in mind in this book, though it is important to emphasize that his arguments apply equally to those on the Left, were they to attempt to identify the kingdom of the world with the kingdom of God.

Non-Christians would likely also find the tone of the book a bit too devout. The entire book is structured around discussions of Biblical passages, teasing out their meanings, striving to understand the implications of the teachings of Christ and Paul. I personally think the title of the book is a bit misleading, and I wonder if it was his original title. For the book really focuses more on what it means for any Christian anywhere to identify the eternal kingdom of God with the temporal kingdom under which he or she lives. Although Boyd has a very different understanding of the Christian's relationship with the political, he almost could have borrowed St. Augustine's title THE CITY OF GOD (AND THE CITY OF MAN), the latter half the implied title of Augustine's classic. Or the great French lay theologian Jacques Ellul work THE POLITICS OF GOD AND THE POLITICS OF MAN. Like Ellul, Boyd insists that it is impossible to Christianize any temporal political regime. To confuse the two is to make what Gilbert Ryle would have called a category mistake, to confuse one kind of entity for another.

Boyd from the outset makes the distinction between worldly governments, which he refers to either as the kingdom of the sword or the kingdom of the world with the kingdom of the cross or the kingdom of God. The former is characterized in all cases by a self-interested "power over" others. This is true even in the most just and fair governments as well as in the most tyrannical. The kingdom of God, however, is characterized by disinterested, loving "power under." Boyd shows that Jesus repeatedly in the New Testament refused any "power over" role, despite being the son of God, instead continually acting out in his life a "power under" self-sacrificial love, a way of living he demanded of his followers. Over and over the NT emphasizes that Christians are to live out the life of Christ in love and service to others. Moreover, this love is to be indiscriminate, and not given only to those who are like us and share our views. In fact, Jesus emphasizes that it is those on the furthermost edges that we are most to show our love to, not by judging them and legislating against them, but by serving them. There is little doubt that if Jesus were walking the streets of America today, he would be spending all his time with gays and people with AIDS and drug addicts and the poorest of the poor.

Boyd sees a large number of failings in the Religious Right today. He hints that people like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson are, in fact, heretics. Boyd asks why we so often identify people as heretics based on some religious belief, when in fact Jesus emphasizes over and over how crucial it is to love others. He asks, when has anyone ever been identified as a heretic because they failed to love as Jesus commanded them to do. And that is much of his complaint with the Religious Right: their patent failure to love. Boyd stresses that if we are actually expanding the kingdom of God, it will look like Jesus, it will look like love in action. It will not look like people who fanatically attack gays, who ferociously delight in the killing of terrorists or Arabs, who are obsessed in condemning others as sinners.

One of the reasons that James Madison pushed through constitutional clauses that divided church in state both in Virginia and later in the United States was that he felt that a close alignment of any religious body with a government did great harm to the the church. Madison pointed out that if the church closely aligned itself with a particular political party, then when that party went out of favor, the church would be rejected along with the sectarian political party. Boyd explains in great detail the many dangers to the kingdom of God whenever it is confused with kingdom of the world. Therefore, the greatest dangers to the church are those who want to Christianize America, for they not only trivialize religion, they profanize the holy.

This is one of the most devout books I have read in quite a while. Rev. Boyd is clearly a deeply religious, careful, humble, intelligent reader of the Scriptures. He also is an advocate for a truly radical reading of the Bible, one that calls for radical discipleship. What has disturbed me about the Religious Right has all too often been its incredible worldliness, the way its leaders have supported a culture of grasping after worldly wealth, of elevating greed and political power to the level of the theological virtues faith, hope, and love. I remember vividly a number of years ago sitting in First Baptist Church of Dallas and hearing W. A. Criswell speak of "the only economic system ordained by God, the American free enterprise system." I have heard countless preachers proclaim that America is a country uniquely blessed by God. Boyd, on the other hand, emphasizes a Gospel where if you have two coats you are told to give one of them away; where if you are struck on the face, you are to offer the other cheek; and where there is no difference between Jew or Greek or (by implication) American. Boyd's vision of the kingdom is a nonnationalistic, self-sacrificing, unselfish, nonmaterialistic striving to imitate Christ. It is a corrective that has never been as needed as much as it is today.

I am not sure that I recommend this book to non-Christians. The point of the book is to help correct the church. Non-Christians can in reading it learn that not every evangelical is like the Falwells and Robertsons and Dobsons of this world. But I definitely recommend this book to everyone who considers him or herself a Christian. There is no better Christian book available today for understanding the proper understanding of the kingdom of the cross and how it differs from the kingdom of the world.

I highly recommend "Myth of a Christian Nation." It is a well written, engaging, and scripturally based book that will likely challenge the Christian reader in the way they live out their faith.

Boyd's premise is that the New Testament describes a "power-under" dynamic, where we are called to live radically loving lives that look like Christ. Kingdom people serve others, as Jesus took upon himself the role of a servant and washed the feed of the disciples. As Jesus' loved us enough to give his life for us, we are to love others - even our enemies - to the point of death. The power-under dynamic of the KoG looks like the cross of Christ. Boyd calls the Christian reader to seek to have a KoG mindset, as defined in scripture, and to live in a way that looks like Christ.

Contrasted to this is the Kingdom of the World (KoW) which uses a "power-over" dynamic to achieve individual and tribal influence in the world. In every way it is opposite of the Kingdom of God. Boyd notes that Satan is called the "God of this World", and as such, he exercises significant influence on the world systems. The power-over dynamic looks like the sword.

As Boyd tells us this book was inspired by a sermon series he preached in 2004 called the "Cross and the Sword," which resulted in about 20 percent of the congregation leaving his church.

A common objection to Boyd's message is that "you cannot separate our faith" from our actions in this world. What I think Boyd is trying to say is that we should not IDENTIFY our society or country as "Christian." Doing so suggests to those outside the church that the actions of our society and our country reflect the Christian faith. While it is true that this country may do very good things, as a power-over structure it does not reflect Christ.

Some suggest that Boyd is promoting a particular political position. This totally misses Boyd's point. ANY political activity is a part of the KoW dynamic. While he repeatedly tells the reader to "vote their conscience," he reminds us that the realm of politics is outside the realm of radical Christ-like love that "does not seek its own."

Boyd, like Jesus, the disciples, St. Francis, and others who took Jesus' message very literally may seem a little odd to you. Yet, it is just that oddness that fascinates us. It is so different than what we know, and we hope that, perhaps, they might be right. The "Myth of a Christian Nation" is indeed a challenging book, but I have found that I have benefited by allowing it to challenge me.

Greg Boyd paints us a beautiful picture of what the kingdom of God is all about. This book challenged me in so many ways.

1) It released me from the non-sensical assertion that it is my "Christian Duty" to vote. As if going to a booth and placing a stingy vote is fulfilling the commandment of Christ to lay down my life for people. Because the truth is (and Boyd points this out well), is that placing a vote is not laying down my life for anyone.

2) This book gives us a beautiful, Biblical picture of who God is, found in Jesus Christ. A lot of preachers depict God "wielding the sword," or in other words, coercing our behavior. This view of God is problematic, and from my experience it is a very harmful way to view God. Boyd poignantly shows us that God changes the heart, not just our behavior.

3) This book made me completely aware of my unique calling as a kingdom of God person. Which is to live in love and join God in his mission of redeeming the world. To partner with God in establishing "His Kingdom Here on Earth, As It Is In Heaven;" something that a government can never do.

Over all it is a really good book. It'll make you pumped about the Kingdom of God. It's easy to read and it is poignant. A much needed book for Kingdom People.

Joe.

Gregory Boyd's concept in the Myth of a Christian Nation obviously did well because it left me nodding in agreement heartily on some points, but scratching my head on others.
In essence, he argues and defends the point that the United States has never been and never will be a Christian Nation. Perhaps by culture, we are--but not in a truly transforming way. Still, for the most part, many Evangelicals equate America (more specifically Republicans) with Christianity.
He argues that the Church often operates from a "power over" mentality in which the U.S. Government rules over us like Church officials to regulate our morality. Boyd, on the other hand, suggests we operate from a "power under" mentality of washing feet, being a servant, and offering love.
In this aspect, I totally agreed with him. Often, when the Church gets power, it leads to monstrosities like the Inquisition and the Salem Witch Trials.
Also, I agreed that American Christianity is often ten miles wide and a half inch deep. We would rather pray against abortion, join a picket line, or write our legislator about the issue than actually really do something about it. We often marginalize "tax collectors" and "sinners," then categorize our sins as not so bad compared to others like homosexuals.
According to Boyd, what is really important is serving others and bleeding with them. On this I found a whole-hearted agreement. This comes to ethics. This is relational which is what Christ calls us to. In my personal experience, I find myself closest to God when I'm serving others.
I also agreed on his poignancy in pointing out how truly shallow we are. It is truly amazing that many Christians were so upset over the Janet Jackson "wardrobe malfunction" as opposed to injustices that are far more egregious. In the same vein, many Evangelicals bemoan gay marriage while people in the Church have the highest divorce rate.
However, while Boyd chastises the Conservative Christian movement, he forgets the speck in his own eye. Yes, in a way, the Myth of a Christian Nation delivers the same judgment as something from the right (although Boyd is much more subtle).
I was a little put-off in his continual chastisement of Christianity when other religions certainly have their problems as well. Moreover, he overlooks the fact that the worst human rights atrocities occurred in secular states like Nazi Germany and Communist Russia and China.
For the most part, most Christians let their politics define their faith as opposed to letting their faith define their politics. The same is true for Boyd--and his colors definitely show.
He ignores a few facts that bothered me. In the first place, he ignores the separation of Church and State issues. While he mildly addressed this issue, he forgot that at one time, the Church did take care of the poor as opposed to government. Since the roles reversed during the Great Depression, those roles have conflicted heavily and have worsened the problem of the poor.
On another note, he fails to recognize the reconciliation and love the Church offers is not something governments ore kingdoms can implement. We might forget that the U.S. has served nations like Iraq, Afghanistan, and many African nations, only to see them come to resent us. They have not repaid loans, oppressed many people, and not used the money as they should, and still resent the U.S.
Yes, the Church should offer love, forgiveness, and restoration, but nations cannot do that. History has shown us that Neville Chamberlain tried appeasement to put Hitler at ease, but it did not work. Also, Hitler broke his pact with Stalin as well. Government is in the role of protecting its citizens and must do some things the Church should not be doing.
This leads to Boyd's pacifist role, hailing the likes of Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., who both used passive non-resistance to change the British Empire and the U.S. However, I found two faults in his line of thinking. As pointed out by many other critics, those actions might have worked in societies with a conscience, it would not have worked in societies that had none. Gandhi did suggest Europe and the Jews surrender to the Nazi's, which would have allowed more genocide to continue. Such measures under Stalin would have also been disastrous.
My final critique is that Boyd is not a pragmatist who lives in the world. In his classic, Christ and Culture, Reinhold Neibuhr commented that sometimes in our fallen world, we must take the lesser of two evils. Sometimes, we cannot take the moral high ground he touts. For that to happen, both have to agree to adhere to that moral high ground and despots like Hitler, Pol Pot, Stalin, Saddam Hussein did not take that route.
Boyd is big on not judging others. While this is admirable, and I find myself on agreement with him, he (like so many other Christians) ignore the fact that Jesus also commanded us not to "cast our pearl before swine."
Don't get me wrong. I liked how Boyd debunked the idea of Christian America and how Christianity is confused with American Civil Religion that often results in Nationalism. His ideas for the true role of the Church are right on. However, his inability to recognize the lesser of two evils, and his lack of pragmatism are two errors that he needs to address more adequately.

I found Myth of a Christian Nation confronting in a healthy sense. It is God honoring in that Dr. Boyd explains the holiness (separateness) of the Kingdom of God from the Kingdom of the World. His radical discussion of "power under" (Kingdom of God) versus "power over" (Kingdom of the World) is only as radical as the Gospel of Jesus Christ itself. Very thought provoking book. I highly recommend it.

This is the second book from Boyd that I'd read and was very glad I did. For years this merging of faith and politics has been gnawing at my Christianity. I knew there was something wrong with this trend (right-wing zealots tainting the pure message of Jesus' sacrifice and grace), but I couldn't put it into words or a solid argument.

Boyd makes a powerful and prophetic argument that's well writen and clear.

I think this book is an absolute must read for all believers.Greg in heart felt wrenching honesty and sincerity scripturally cuts through the distinctions between the kissing cousins of political & religious worldly Babylon and the TRUE kingdom of Godliness which we as Christians are suppose to be abiding in.
He also exposes quite brilliantly the true contrast between Anglo saxonism,the cult of "Manifest Destiny" and the TRUE gospel of Jesus Christ.
He leaves no stone unturned,including bringing to light many of the so called political and religious "heros of faith" throughout history who perpetuated the most heinous evils in the name of our Lord.Gregs use of the scripture to back up his viewpoints is truly profound especially when you consider the world of lip service,what has God done for me lately, churchianity we live in today.
I recommend reading the book of Jeremiah and replacing the word Israel with America and seeing how well the shoe really fits,its really quite astonishing.Neither was Israel Godly nor is America "Christian".
This book gets 5 stars from me.The only difference I have with Greg is that he seems to think that the true church will somehow usher in Gods Kingdom here on earth and I believe he is very greatly mistaken on this particular point.
MATTHEW 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

This is a must read for Christians who want to truly follow (and imitate) Christ in the way they express their faith in the social and political sphere. Like a modern-day prophet, Gregory Boyd confronts the religious and political power brokers of our age with a call for radical change.

Drawing directly from the life and teachings of Christ, Boyd describes in compelling and convicting detail a "power-under," take-up-your-cross, lead-with-love model for serving the Kingdom of God that contrasts sharply with the "power-over," one-nation-under-God, civil religion that has captured the hearts, minds and dollars of evangelical Christians in America. Far from preaching passivity and disengagement, Boyd calls Christians to live up to their namesake -- to imitate Christ's sacrificial love so deeply that hearts and lives are changed rather than merely laws and office-holders.

Greg Boyd is a gifted theologian and communicator, which no doubt contributed to the growth of his suburban St. Paul church to over 5,000 members. However, he loved his congregation too much to give in to pressure to endorse the Republican agenda before the last presidential election. Instead, he gave a sermon series on the difference between the power of the sword and the power of the cross. The sermon series, which formed the basis of this book, ultimately resulted in 1,000 members leaving his church. Those focused on the kingdom of this world might say Boyd foolishly squandered power and influence. Those who remain in his church and who embrace the lessons of his book will recognize the great work he is doing for the Kingdom of God.

I was intrigued by the title of this book so I sent for it. It is probably the most challenging book I have read for several years. Boyd presents starkly the differences between the Kingdom of God -- which if you are in doubt about what that really is - he cuts through lots of verbage and says that the Kingdom of God looks like Jesus-a good yardstick for self measuring one's actions-both goals and strategies -- and the Kingdom of this world. Using the Bible and specific references heavily, and laying out his own biases and conclusions - particularly where war and peace are concerned helps the reader to locate the genesis of Boyd's ideas. He covers many of the requisite "hot button" topics of our time-war, abortion,homosexuality, poverty in such a way that rather than "telling" the reader how to think, Boyd sets up a scriptural scaffolding so the reader is free to cling to his or her own belief coming in -- or to challenge those beliefs altogether -- or to change the behavior one has toward others who believe differently. Boyd's most striking challenge/reminder to me is that Jesus does not exert power over, - the way many in our society, and the way many Christians call for - but power under - He lifts, undergirds, and bleeds for the other. Long after reading this book, I find myself challenged by the question "Does this look like Jesus" - what is the "coming under" action, goal, strategy required here. On the other side of the coin, he reminds that no country is the Kingdom of God, no political system, no party. . . and in its own way that is comforting too.

Gregory Boyd is not for the timid soul. His analysis of any subject he writes about is thorough and intense. The "Myth" that our nation or for that matter any nation being "Christian" is reviewed with brutaL honesty. For those readers who want to grow spiritually, read this book as well as the other books Boyd has written. Your Christian experience will be changed and your spiritual life re-vitalized.