The Political Meaning of Christianity

A New Book Discussion Here: The Political Meaning of Christianity

I have gone back and forth thinking about how to do this as the book, The Meaning of Christianity, is out of print except for a rather expensive re-print by Wipf & Stock. It is available used (many copies) and at ARCHIVE.ORG (but only borrowable for 14 days). And an article, based on the book, entitled “Can We Be Good Without God? On the Political Meaning of Christianity” is available online with The Atlantic magazine (where it was originally published).

In view of all the variables, I have decided to use the whole book and have ordered my own used copy from ABEbooks.com. (My copy is somewhere in storage.) If you want to read and discuss the book with me, order a used copy or the rather expensive W&S copy or read it in 14 days at ARCHIVE.ORG.

Or, you may read just the article mentioned above online. In that case, however, you won’t have the “whole picture.” The article does set forth Glenn Tinder’s basic argument in the book.

As soon as I receive my copy, I will post here what we will read and discuss and when. I usually give potential readers and participants in the book discussion about two weeks. I know that’s now enough for some of you who live outside the U.S. But I don’t want to drag this out too long. I’m anxious to get going with it.

I can testify that Tinder’s book is one of my all-time favorites which does not mean I agree with it entirely. The one possible weakness is that it was written well before the current crisis in American politics. However, I think much of what he wrote in the book applies to Christian thinking today about Christianity and politics.

So if you intend to participate in the discussion with me, please order your copy as soon as possible. Or at least read the article (google for it) a couple times so that you know the “gist” of Tinder’s argument.

When I post a review of a chapter, I will give a brief summary of its main points and then respond. That is for those who are unable to read the book, but I don’t want that to hinder anyone from getting the book and reading all of it with me. Don’t rely on my summaries unless you have no choice. (I’m thinking here especially of readers outside the U.S. who may not be able to order a copy.)

*Note: If you choose to respond, make sure your comment is relatively brief (no more than 100 words), on topic, addressed to me, civil and respectful (not hostile or argumentative), and devoid of pictures or links.*