I don’t know if I can post a picture in a comment but I really want to show you all what you did—the book is now the #1 bestseller in Christian Church History on Amazon, a huge boost going into next week. Thank you!! 🙌
We would also recommend Jim Wallis's book "The False White Gospel" ... WHEW! Our study group is in the middle of an open discussion of this effort by the founder of the "Sojourners" movement.
His content addresses many of the points you mention.
Can’t wait to read Jamar’s new book. His vision and commitment to telling the truth about our history is a gift to me and many others. Thanks for standing with him and helping promote this important view into history. So much still to learn!
“What struck me when I first heard that Jemar was working on this book was that the attacks from the Right on American history, on “DEI” and “CRT,” on telling the truth about the past, always claim that they’re trying to spare (white) Americans from negativity. They want a positive story about America, a guilt-free story of good guys prospering. But that’s all a facade. It’s only when we take an honest look at the past that we can see true goodness, too. That we can find sources of inspiration for the present. Because it’s in the darkness that we can most clearly see the light. And these stories remind us that each of us is capable of doing something—of taking risks, of standing for what is right, of living lives of integrity.”
This isn’t merely found in reactionaries but I believe is present in progressives and resistance folks today re: Gaza. Few of those authors on xian nationalism have had much to say at all regarding a present day religious and ethnic cleansing that the US is complicit in. Many Democrats have the same tenor, seeking positivity rather than integrity- often with their own political goals in mind. Another muted vision of America. Perhaps we all fall short.
We will not get the MAGA movement (White "Christian" Nationalists) and on to unity until real Christians stand up against the core problem: 70% of Evangelicals are not Christians. They have hijacked Christianity in reverting to following the word of God as instructed by Moses instead of the word of God as instructed by Jesus.
The Ten Commandments, and the other 603 edicts of Mosaic Law, have nothing to do with Christianity and more align Evangelicals with Orthodox Jews and Suni/Shia Muslims. MAGA is an Evangelical Jihad armed to the teeth which rivals any Islamic Jihad under ISIS. I'm sure that MAGA isn't 100% Evangelical, but their behavior (right out of the Old Testament) isn't exclusive to Evangelicals, but it was promoted by Southern Evangelicals in response to freeing the Slaves. The racism (and misogyny from the bible), under Mosaic Law, was fair game for generations of low-education, low-IQ people who point to the Bible as their "moral" compass.
I am always surprised that a black man would be willing to refer to himself as an Evangelical, but I was always also painting Evangelicals with a broad brush. Evangelicals for Harris made me realize that, only the 70% (only have to be "saved", and any bad thing you do is forgiven; faith, not works) are the Christians in Name Only (CINO). MAGA is CINO/RINO
MAGA doesn't care how vulgar and despicable their cult leader (Trump) is because "he's doing God's work". And of course, they can justify their actions , including violence against the evil (as defined by their cult leader) under the same premise of forgiveness without fear.
The Evangelical Pharisees (Falwell, Graham, et al), along with the Sadducees (Novelly, Huizenga, Sokol and Crow) who own the Supreme Court, make up Trump's Sanhedrin.
“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat".-- Jesus (Matthew 23:2)
Just like the Pharisees of Jesus' time, they are all hypocrites and absolutely rejected Jesus' Teachings and Commandments. To MAGA, Jesus' Teachings are "liberal talking points".
Jamar stood out to me as a real Christian in challenging Lee Greenwood's God Bless USA bible, but I feel that Jamar (nor you) just doesn't get where the other 70% of Evangelicals are coming from.
What really amazes me is the Mosaic Law was only intended for "God's Chosen People" of a newly established Israel. It was not intended for the rest of the planet. In fact, Jesus represents a documented historical movement against the harsh rule of Mosaic Law imposed on the Jews. Our Pharisees of today want it imposed on America. I believe we were established under the framework of Jesus' teachings; taking care of "the least of these", "love thy neighbor", "welcome the stranger", and other "liberal talking points". But these decedents of the "Lost Cause" only want to reclaim America for Caucasians who they believe are one of the Tribes of "God's Chosen People" and want to ensure Mosaic Law is the law of the land. (see Christian Identity) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Identity
I just read this post and ordered his book. I finished narrating "How to End Christian Nationalism" and I'm in the middle of "The Origins of Elected Strongmen". Such incredibly heavy stuff. But I appreciate that you and other authors are calling us to not give up. To not be cynical. I heard a quote in 2016 by Garrison Keillor when Trump was elected along the lines of: "We must be oases of sanity." I think we can add that in the climate of such unkindness and confusion, we need to bring the calm into this storm. I believe Jemar's book will be that.
Thank you, I appreciate your insights and recommendations, though I can’t keep up with all of them. Can you comment on Mark David Hall’s “Who’s Afraid of Christian Nationalism?”
I just have to say that Christian nationalism is a panecea pretending that true followers of Jesus Christ are not a very small minority in America and the majority money soliciting your vote puts on religion like an attractive hat on a foul-mouthed fool running for office
Does the book address issues of class? This seems to me a highly neglected area in social justice discourse. Catholic Social Thought seems to have made much more progress with class issues than Protestant thought.
I don’t know if I can post a picture in a comment but I really want to show you all what you did—the book is now the #1 bestseller in Christian Church History on Amazon, a huge boost going into next week. Thank you!! 🙌
Am on the reviewers list, but a week behind due to COVID.
I have pre-ordered Jemar's book and look forward to reading it...
We would also recommend Jim Wallis's book "The False White Gospel" ... WHEW! Our study group is in the middle of an open discussion of this effort by the founder of the "Sojourners" movement.
His content addresses many of the points you mention.
Absolutely! I had the honor of endorsing Jim's book and participated in an event here in GR.
Just pre-orderd Jemar's book. Thank you for the prompt!
Hi Keith, Beth Terborg here❣️Lovely to see your name.
Same here, Beth. :-)
I just ordered it also, on your recommendation and am looking forward to reading it!
Can’t wait to read Jamar’s new book. His vision and commitment to telling the truth about our history is a gift to me and many others. Thanks for standing with him and helping promote this important view into history. So much still to learn!
“What struck me when I first heard that Jemar was working on this book was that the attacks from the Right on American history, on “DEI” and “CRT,” on telling the truth about the past, always claim that they’re trying to spare (white) Americans from negativity. They want a positive story about America, a guilt-free story of good guys prospering. But that’s all a facade. It’s only when we take an honest look at the past that we can see true goodness, too. That we can find sources of inspiration for the present. Because it’s in the darkness that we can most clearly see the light. And these stories remind us that each of us is capable of doing something—of taking risks, of standing for what is right, of living lives of integrity.”
This isn’t merely found in reactionaries but I believe is present in progressives and resistance folks today re: Gaza. Few of those authors on xian nationalism have had much to say at all regarding a present day religious and ethnic cleansing that the US is complicit in. Many Democrats have the same tenor, seeking positivity rather than integrity- often with their own political goals in mind. Another muted vision of America. Perhaps we all fall short.
Certainly we all do.
We will not get the MAGA movement (White "Christian" Nationalists) and on to unity until real Christians stand up against the core problem: 70% of Evangelicals are not Christians. They have hijacked Christianity in reverting to following the word of God as instructed by Moses instead of the word of God as instructed by Jesus.
The Ten Commandments, and the other 603 edicts of Mosaic Law, have nothing to do with Christianity and more align Evangelicals with Orthodox Jews and Suni/Shia Muslims. MAGA is an Evangelical Jihad armed to the teeth which rivals any Islamic Jihad under ISIS. I'm sure that MAGA isn't 100% Evangelical, but their behavior (right out of the Old Testament) isn't exclusive to Evangelicals, but it was promoted by Southern Evangelicals in response to freeing the Slaves. The racism (and misogyny from the bible), under Mosaic Law, was fair game for generations of low-education, low-IQ people who point to the Bible as their "moral" compass.
I am always surprised that a black man would be willing to refer to himself as an Evangelical, but I was always also painting Evangelicals with a broad brush. Evangelicals for Harris made me realize that, only the 70% (only have to be "saved", and any bad thing you do is forgiven; faith, not works) are the Christians in Name Only (CINO). MAGA is CINO/RINO
MAGA doesn't care how vulgar and despicable their cult leader (Trump) is because "he's doing God's work". And of course, they can justify their actions , including violence against the evil (as defined by their cult leader) under the same premise of forgiveness without fear.
The Evangelical Pharisees (Falwell, Graham, et al), along with the Sadducees (Novelly, Huizenga, Sokol and Crow) who own the Supreme Court, make up Trump's Sanhedrin.
“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat".-- Jesus (Matthew 23:2)
Just like the Pharisees of Jesus' time, they are all hypocrites and absolutely rejected Jesus' Teachings and Commandments. To MAGA, Jesus' Teachings are "liberal talking points".
Jamar stood out to me as a real Christian in challenging Lee Greenwood's God Bless USA bible, but I feel that Jamar (nor you) just doesn't get where the other 70% of Evangelicals are coming from.
What really amazes me is the Mosaic Law was only intended for "God's Chosen People" of a newly established Israel. It was not intended for the rest of the planet. In fact, Jesus represents a documented historical movement against the harsh rule of Mosaic Law imposed on the Jews. Our Pharisees of today want it imposed on America. I believe we were established under the framework of Jesus' teachings; taking care of "the least of these", "love thy neighbor", "welcome the stranger", and other "liberal talking points". But these decedents of the "Lost Cause" only want to reclaim America for Caucasians who they believe are one of the Tribes of "God's Chosen People" and want to ensure Mosaic Law is the law of the land. (see Christian Identity) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Identity
EXACTLY! I couldn't have said that better myself!
I just read this post and ordered his book. I finished narrating "How to End Christian Nationalism" and I'm in the middle of "The Origins of Elected Strongmen". Such incredibly heavy stuff. But I appreciate that you and other authors are calling us to not give up. To not be cynical. I heard a quote in 2016 by Garrison Keillor when Trump was elected along the lines of: "We must be oases of sanity." I think we can add that in the climate of such unkindness and confusion, we need to bring the calm into this storm. I believe Jemar's book will be that.
Thank you. Once again.
Thank you, I appreciate your insights and recommendations, though I can’t keep up with all of them. Can you comment on Mark David Hall’s “Who’s Afraid of Christian Nationalism?”
You convinced me. I just pre-ordered.
Thank you. I’ll read it.
I just have to say that Christian nationalism is a panecea pretending that true followers of Jesus Christ are not a very small minority in America and the majority money soliciting your vote puts on religion like an attractive hat on a foul-mouthed fool running for office
I ordered 8 copies for myself and family!
Does the book address issues of class? This seems to me a highly neglected area in social justice discourse. Catholic Social Thought seems to have made much more progress with class issues than Protestant thought.