Welcome to Litsy!

A huge thank you to @Suet624 for her review and the discussion that arose around it. At the time I felt like I would be wasting time and was a bit dismissive. That is always a wake up call because there is always something to learn. I listened to this slowly over the last few months. It fleshed out so much of what I believe to be wrong but also left me hopeful that others are fighting against those wrongs with the right message. Maybe we ⬇️

“Religion and politics are natural enemies; both provide a sense of belonging and self-actualization to the masses. Tension between the two is healthy and necessary. When one appropriates the other, history shows that oppression—leading to death and human suffering at a woeful scale—is the inevitable result.”

“Today‘s evangelicalism preaches bitterness toward unbelievers and bottomless grace for churchgoing Christians, yet the New Testament model is exactly the opposite, stressing strict accountability for those inside the Church and abounding charity to those outside it.”

“This is the gospel we are to proclaim both in word and in deed: To be a Christian is to sacrifice not for the benefit of those we already have around our table but for the betterment of those we have never considered to invite.”

“The notion that God was ‘calling‘ on Christians to ‘take back‘ their country—especially by force—is laughably incompatible with the teachings of Christ. It was Jesus who subverted the authorities with teachings of obedience and edicts of nonviolence; it was Jesus who mocked His captors for brandishing weapons as they arrested Him.”

This was excellent but challenging, because the content is so troubling. Alberta offers a detailed, nuanced look at the rise of Christian nationalism in the US, going back to Jerry Falwell & the “Moral Majority” of the 80s, & exploring the current political landscape from the Trump years through COVID, BLM, & beyond. Woven throughout are interviews with pastors & Christian leaders (both Christian nationalists & those troubled by the movement). ⬇️

A fantastic must-read for any American concerned about the rise of Christian nationalism and the conflation of Christian faith with political ideology.

Tim Alberta's father was a pastor in the evangelical church; when parishioners confronted him about his criticism of Trump at his father's funeral, he felt compelled to investigate the changes that have led nationalism to be conflated with faith, and caused evangelicals to be focused on power in this world instead of justice in the next. Highly recommend for anyone interested in the evangelical movement, whether you're a believer or not.

Really well done, but what a difficult listen. Distressing and just appalling. Alberta is thoughtful and thorough so definitely worth a read if you can stomach it.

A fascinating and troubling look at the widening division within the American evangelical church. Journalist Tim Alberta, coming from a conservative Christian upbringing himself, shares the history of some key evangelical players. He also visits churches, conferences, and pastors around the country to investigate the distressing trend towards Christian nationalism, increasing scandal, and political power grabbing in the church. Pretty alarming.

I have yet to read Alberta's book, but the following 30 minute interview is such an interesting look on how we got here (AKA the very real possibility of DT having the R nomination again) that I had to link it. Definitely the most insightful political interview I have seen lately:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErbTbyvwpdQ

I can‘t possibly review this book adequately in the space allotted here. Alberta, a pastor‘s son and very familiar with church teachings, travels the U.S. and brings us an in-depth analysis of what the mega churches and evangelicals are preaching. It‘s fascinating, infuriating, frightening. He also outlines what some leaders are trying to do to return their churchgoers to the teachings of Jesus. Please check it out. I would suggest the audiobook.

So often Christianity and Christian Nationalism are critiqued by those outside the faith, so I was pleased to read believer Alberta‘s unflinching look at a dangerous subculture. He examines the affect of MAGA and the pandemic on both followers and leaders and the perfect storm brewing for division in the country. But he also reflects on his pastor father‘s legacy, and in the final section highlights those working to improve churches. 5⭐️

Really good book that looked into and explained some of the extremism in the historic evangelical church in America. It was difficult to read because of the uncomfortable truths that it exposed. I wish that many in the American church would read and receive this important message. I hope that I can receive it in my own heart too. Merry Christmas.

Listening to this now. A most excellent book….wonderfully written, explained and read. Eye-opening and frightening.

If you, like me, appreciate Tim Alberta‘s journalism in The Atlantic or on TV news, I think you‘ll be riveted by this. It‘s a far-reaching analysis of the influence of Evangelical institutions/personalities on politics (and vice versa). Alberta‘s a Christian and his late dad was a prominent pastor, so it‘s insider-y. I was a bit 😳 seeing it was over 18 hrs on audio, but it was so engaging that I inhaled in just a couple of days (at 2.0 speed).