Conservative spokesman, author and pastor Dr. Joel C. Hunter forges a new path with A New Kind of Conservative. Hunter takes a provocative look at how faith and politics have interacted in America, giving civic-minded people a balanced and biblically-based approach to political involvement. The author speaks as a conservative Christian with traditional biblical stands regarding abortion and homosexuality, but expands it to include other biblical concerns, such as the environment, poverty, justice issues, AIDS, etc. This is not the ideology and rhetoric associated with the extreme religious right, but rather a broader look at politics that the Bible would have us address. Hunter shows how religion and politics do not have to be at odds with one another, and offers the information and motivation needed to take responsible action. Can a Christian/biblical world view effectively mesh with postmodern society and secular government? Should Christians be involved in political action and, if so, how? How can Christians more effectively relate and present their faith in the context of contemporary and political society? Readers, regardless of their beliefs, will find this thoughtful, helpful and compelling reading.
A New Kind of Conservative
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From the Back Cover
Are You a New Kind of Conservative? Conservative spokesman, author and pastor Joel C. Hunter forges a new path with A New Kind of Conservative. Hunter takes a provocative look at how faith and politics have interacted in America, giving civic-minded people a balanced and biblically-based approach to political involvement. The author speaks as a conservative Christian with traditional biblical stands regarding abortion and homosexuality, but expands it to include other biblical concerns, such as the environment, poverty, justice issues and AIDS. This is not the ideology and rhetoric associated with the Religious Right, but rather a broader look at politics that the Bible would have us address. Hunter shows how religion and politics do not have to be at odds with one another and offers the information and motivation needed to take responsible action.
Read this book and underline portions of it, and then quietly think about politics with the mind, love and concerns of Christ. Learn to see issues through a biblical worldview and then…get your sword out and, with Luther, stand in the places “where the battle rages there the loyalty of the soldier is proved.”
—STEVE BROWN
Author, Teacher and Key Life Network Radio Host
Joel Hunter remains firmly conservative in his theology, but he believes that the Bible also calls us to be a voice for the poor and to care for creation. A New Kind of Conservative represents this emerging centrist evangelical political movement.
—RONALD J. SIDER
President, Evangelicals for Social Action
Read this book and underline portions of it, and then quietly think about politics with the mind, love and concerns of Christ. Learn to see issues through a biblical worldview and then…get your sword out and, with Luther, stand in the places “where the battle rages there the loyalty of the soldier is proved.”
—STEVE BROWN
Author, Teacher and Key Life Network Radio Host
Joel Hunter remains firmly conservative in his theology, but he believes that the Bible also calls us to be a voice for the poor and to care for creation. A New Kind of Conservative represents this emerging centrist evangelical political movement.
—RONALD J. SIDER
President, Evangelicals for Social Action
About the Author
DR. JOEL C. HUNTER is senior pastor of Northland, A Distributed Church, in Longwood, Florida. Each weekend, approximately 12,000 people worship together in real time at multiple distributed sites throughout central Florida and at hundreds of smaller sites worldwide via the Internet. Dr. Hunter has become an internationally known spokesperson for compassion issues outlined in Scripture. He has a Bachelor of Science in education (history and government) from Ohio University, a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry in culture and personality from Christian Theological Seminary, and an honorary Doctor of Humanities from Belhaven College. He serves on the board of directors of six organizations, including the National Association of Evangelicals.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
On the surface, it seems like a dark time for the conservative movement. The Republican party is imploding and shows little hope of making a real comeback. Many of the "old guard" leaders of the Christian right have either died (Jerry Falwell and D. James Kennedy) or have suffered from seriously diminished credibility (Pat Robertson and James Dobson). Yet from the shadows, Florida megachurch pastor Dr. Joel Hunter issues a vital clarion call which my be just the answer they need.
In his insightful book "A New Kind of Conservative," Hunter calls for the conservative Christian community to rethink the political tactics that have defined it in recent decades. While maintaining the traditional conservative views on issues such as abortion and gay marriage, he rightfully says that the church must expand its thinking to include issues such as poverty, justice and the environment.
As we read further, it becomes obvious that Hunter has his finger on an important pulse. He examines how numerous religious activist groups on both the left and right have ultimately failed to produce lasting change. He further exhorts evangelicals not to fear those with whom they disagree, and to seriously think about issues rather than to simply react out of emotion.
An especially provocative section is the "Pilate Process" outlined in chapters seven and eight. Here Hunter uses the trial of Jesus to show how the various parties involved were so focused on both religion (the angry mob) and politics (the cowardly Pilate) that both sides missed the larger picture. In contrast, "Jesus quietly and calmly told the truth when under fire. The truth was His strength. He did not need any other justification."
The book also contains a very helpful "FAQ" section in which Hunter thoughtfully addresses such "hot-button" issues as church-state relations, Just War theory and whether or not a Christian should support a non-Christian candidate. His answers may surprise some, but they always provide food for thought. Even the concluding "Recommended Reading" section contains a very balanced selection of works from both the right (David Barton, Richard John Neuhaus) and the left (Ron Sider, Jim Wallis).
One need not agree with all of Hunter's ideas to appreciate his refreshingly civil approach to faith and politics. Seeking to expand the conservative base without compromising key principles is not an easy task, but he does a masterful job. Most of all, he always come back to the fact that God is ultimately in control, and that politics is not the only avenue through which believers can make an impact: "Live a life of Christian integrity and service-in other words, `vote with your life'-and you will change the world." Amen, Pastor.
In his insightful book "A New Kind of Conservative," Hunter calls for the conservative Christian community to rethink the political tactics that have defined it in recent decades. While maintaining the traditional conservative views on issues such as abortion and gay marriage, he rightfully says that the church must expand its thinking to include issues such as poverty, justice and the environment.
As we read further, it becomes obvious that Hunter has his finger on an important pulse. He examines how numerous religious activist groups on both the left and right have ultimately failed to produce lasting change. He further exhorts evangelicals not to fear those with whom they disagree, and to seriously think about issues rather than to simply react out of emotion.
An especially provocative section is the "Pilate Process" outlined in chapters seven and eight. Here Hunter uses the trial of Jesus to show how the various parties involved were so focused on both religion (the angry mob) and politics (the cowardly Pilate) that both sides missed the larger picture. In contrast, "Jesus quietly and calmly told the truth when under fire. The truth was His strength. He did not need any other justification."
The book also contains a very helpful "FAQ" section in which Hunter thoughtfully addresses such "hot-button" issues as church-state relations, Just War theory and whether or not a Christian should support a non-Christian candidate. His answers may surprise some, but they always provide food for thought. Even the concluding "Recommended Reading" section contains a very balanced selection of works from both the right (David Barton, Richard John Neuhaus) and the left (Ron Sider, Jim Wallis).
One need not agree with all of Hunter's ideas to appreciate his refreshingly civil approach to faith and politics. Seeking to expand the conservative base without compromising key principles is not an easy task, but he does a masterful job. Most of all, he always come back to the fact that God is ultimately in control, and that politics is not the only avenue through which believers can make an impact: "Live a life of Christian integrity and service-in other words, `vote with your life'-and you will change the world." Amen, Pastor.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Common Sense
Format:Hardcover
I attended Pastor Hunter's church for 12 years. I personally observed his "transformation" from pastor to politician. This book, like it's predecessor, Right Wing, Wrong Bird, is a favorite of the "evangelical Marxist" crowd (Ron Sider, Jim Wallis, etc). Pastor Joel is a decent, God loving man. Having said that, this book perverts the Christian message in my view. I believe that Christ appealed to individuals on a personal basis. If He were to return today, he wouldn't hop a plane to Washington to lobby for progressive taxation. No, He would want to know what the body of Christ - His Church - was doing to care for the poor and disadvantaged. Where does Hunter go wrong? His reliance on government to solve problems that are the responsibility of the church. He attends to physical interests rather than focusing on the soul. He is content (as I have personally observed) to advance the causes of "creation care" (which he originally termed "global warming") and unbridled immigration. In his world, as in this book, Hunter wants a left leaning right wing. He would be better off avoiding the use of labels let alone the creation of new ones. Joel Hunter is a good man. But he is dead wrong in his quest to fold so-called "conservatism" into our existing socialist tendencies. It doesn't to the church any good to do so. Nor does it enrich individual Christians.
By Grammyx4
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The order went fast. I have not yet been able to read this book but my Brother and he's a pastor recommended this book to me.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
A failed liberal attempt to redefine conservatism
Joel Hunter is a liberal pastor who is in the tank for Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and is in step with their vision to re-make our society. Read more
Published on February 10, 2010 by John
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly recommend to Christian Studies and politics collections alike.
Not speaking of the traditional religious right of politics, pastor Dr. Joel C. Hunter preaches a new brand of politics in his book "A New Kind of Conservative". Read more
Published on May 6, 2008 by Midwest Book Review
4.0 out of 5 stars
This is a hard review
Dr. Hunter is my Pastor; his speaking and teaching is beyond compare--he nails me every week and it is glorious. Read more
Published on February 16, 2008 by Rick Shafer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Joel Hunter and Rick Warren-"New Generation" of Evangelical Leaders
Quote from PBS' NOW program:
"The new generation of evangelical leaders is best symbolized by two well known pastors. Read more
"The new generation of evangelical leaders is best symbolized by two well known pastors. Read more
Published on January 25, 2008 by R. ANDRESCIK
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