It's another fine post, even though disturbing in parts. I appreciate your curation of other writers and journalists. I couldn't get the video from LA Times. Required a subscription, at least as far as I could tell. The article on the men's anti-abortion movement was spooky and creepy, especially after recently viewing The Handmaids Tale. The Handmaids Tale already had too much resonance. Then came the doc on Bill Gothard and the Duggers. Now this article, well-written. There is definitely a cult-like flavor and fervor to this branch of the Right that melts into Trumpism and Christian Nationalism like a glove. Maybe not a glove. The Right is and probably always will be fractured into different true-believer camps and opportunists too. The House GOP, case in point! Responding to such zealotry (absolutism, divine certainty, and passion) is not easy. Not least, the discussions about faithful use of Scripture, legal and theological understandings of personhood, and human rights (sometimes in tension) can be challenging! Do you know any source or resource that deals with the issue of abortion and personhood in a good comprehensive way: theologically, philosophically, legally (law and social justice), and scientifically (all relevant disciplines)? I haven't found any yet.... I appreciate the article on Mit Romney too and the caution against making him a model of moderate Republicanism and even "principled" hero. And I enjoyed the first session on Zoom last night. You are in my prayers- your family too.... I am enjoying Robert P. Jones' new book too.
Thanks, Angela. It has taken a week to get back to this link (and the following one too) for various reasons. But sometimes that is a good thing. Disasters like those in Libya that are far away from us can so easily disappear. So, I appreciate this as a reminder to keep in prayer and maybe help in a small way.
Hi Mark, thanks for writing! I appreciate your comments. As for your book request, thanks for asking. I would recommend this one from the Rev. Katey Zeh (https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506473499/A-Complicated-Choice) I have not read it in full yet so cannot offer complete comments, but I'm familiar with Rev. Zeh and her work and so believe it would be a helpful guide.
Also - my friend Elaina Ramsey is currently working on a forthcoming book that also addresses these topics. Full disclosure: I have contributed a chapter. I am looking forward to her compilation and will pass on the book information when it's available. I would highly recommend Elaina and her work in this area: https://www.faithchoiceohio.org/staff-board
Thanks for joining the class! I wish I could meet you all in person, but I guess Zoom will have to do :)
Again, Thanks (a day after Gratitude Day)! I don't know if I can get to reading these books. I have a long list already; and it's usually a slow process! But I just watched a good interview on You Tube with Katey Zeh re her book. More insights and things to think about! She expresses some frustration with the more philosophical questions of personhood and when life begins. And I understand that. Often, they become abstractions separated from real care of real persons in real life which are her foci. And sometimes they get weaponized and turned into harmful laws! Besides that, such issues are complex and have different answers not only among Christians, but also people of other faith traditions (an important point). But one factor of Christian Nationalism is the assertion of one Christian perspective as THE only one, not just to be preferred but codified even though it's a minority position in the electorate. Rev. Zeh also mentioned Katherine Stewart as another journalist writing on Christian Nationalism. I am not familiar with her work, though I do recognize the title of one of her books. Are you familiar? .... Btw, Good class with LST St. Louis! I must leave the classes early to get to choir, but I am caught up with the recordings. Good stuff.
This is a copy of a comment I left just now on your article you wrote in July. I read it a few minutes ago. I wrote my first piece about Christian Nationalism this week. If you have time, please read it. I have written with my Christian friends in mind, but not getting a lot of reaction, so far. I'm very concerned for the cultish aspects of the Trumpism surrounding us. However, my husband and I have actually found an Evangelical church (non-denominational).whose leadership and most members are not Trumpers. Two years ago, God used my husband to get us out of a church full of Trumpers. I still consider the people to be Christian, but sadly deceived in that regard. Other non Trumpers are the publishers of "Christianity Today." I still get a lot out of their magazine. Thank God not all Evangelicals have drunk the Trump Kool aid!
It's another fine post, even though disturbing in parts. I appreciate your curation of other writers and journalists. I couldn't get the video from LA Times. Required a subscription, at least as far as I could tell. The article on the men's anti-abortion movement was spooky and creepy, especially after recently viewing The Handmaids Tale. The Handmaids Tale already had too much resonance. Then came the doc on Bill Gothard and the Duggers. Now this article, well-written. There is definitely a cult-like flavor and fervor to this branch of the Right that melts into Trumpism and Christian Nationalism like a glove. Maybe not a glove. The Right is and probably always will be fractured into different true-believer camps and opportunists too. The House GOP, case in point! Responding to such zealotry (absolutism, divine certainty, and passion) is not easy. Not least, the discussions about faithful use of Scripture, legal and theological understandings of personhood, and human rights (sometimes in tension) can be challenging! Do you know any source or resource that deals with the issue of abortion and personhood in a good comprehensive way: theologically, philosophically, legally (law and social justice), and scientifically (all relevant disciplines)? I haven't found any yet.... I appreciate the article on Mit Romney too and the caution against making him a model of moderate Republicanism and even "principled" hero. And I enjoyed the first session on Zoom last night. You are in my prayers- your family too.... I am enjoying Robert P. Jones' new book too.
View the video on this link from the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/13/libya-flood-death-toll?CMP=oth_b-aplnews_d-1
It's the second video down with the image of a man in medical scrubs/protective gear.
Thanks, Angela. It has taken a week to get back to this link (and the following one too) for various reasons. But sometimes that is a good thing. Disasters like those in Libya that are far away from us can so easily disappear. So, I appreciate this as a reminder to keep in prayer and maybe help in a small way.
Hi Mark, thanks for writing! I appreciate your comments. As for your book request, thanks for asking. I would recommend this one from the Rev. Katey Zeh (https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506473499/A-Complicated-Choice) I have not read it in full yet so cannot offer complete comments, but I'm familiar with Rev. Zeh and her work and so believe it would be a helpful guide.
Also - my friend Elaina Ramsey is currently working on a forthcoming book that also addresses these topics. Full disclosure: I have contributed a chapter. I am looking forward to her compilation and will pass on the book information when it's available. I would highly recommend Elaina and her work in this area: https://www.faithchoiceohio.org/staff-board
Thanks for joining the class! I wish I could meet you all in person, but I guess Zoom will have to do :)
Again, Thanks (a day after Gratitude Day)! I don't know if I can get to reading these books. I have a long list already; and it's usually a slow process! But I just watched a good interview on You Tube with Katey Zeh re her book. More insights and things to think about! She expresses some frustration with the more philosophical questions of personhood and when life begins. And I understand that. Often, they become abstractions separated from real care of real persons in real life which are her foci. And sometimes they get weaponized and turned into harmful laws! Besides that, such issues are complex and have different answers not only among Christians, but also people of other faith traditions (an important point). But one factor of Christian Nationalism is the assertion of one Christian perspective as THE only one, not just to be preferred but codified even though it's a minority position in the electorate. Rev. Zeh also mentioned Katherine Stewart as another journalist writing on Christian Nationalism. I am not familiar with her work, though I do recognize the title of one of her books. Are you familiar? .... Btw, Good class with LST St. Louis! I must leave the classes early to get to choir, but I am caught up with the recordings. Good stuff.
Wow, Angela! It will take me two weeks to chase down all the links 🔗
This is a copy of a comment I left just now on your article you wrote in July. I read it a few minutes ago. I wrote my first piece about Christian Nationalism this week. If you have time, please read it. I have written with my Christian friends in mind, but not getting a lot of reaction, so far. I'm very concerned for the cultish aspects of the Trumpism surrounding us. However, my husband and I have actually found an Evangelical church (non-denominational).whose leadership and most members are not Trumpers. Two years ago, God used my husband to get us out of a church full of Trumpers. I still consider the people to be Christian, but sadly deceived in that regard. Other non Trumpers are the publishers of "Christianity Today." I still get a lot out of their magazine. Thank God not all Evangelicals have drunk the Trump Kool aid!