What's Happening at Book Readers Heaven - Reading The Political Seduction of the Church by Michael L. Brown Article 0, Announcement

 

My newest book, The Political Seduction of the Church: How Millions of American Christians Have Confused Politics with the Gospel, has just been released. But what, exactly, do I mean by “political seduction”?

Do I mean that Christians who are involved in politics have been seduced? Certainly not. I believe Christians should be involved in politics, as I have stated repeatedly for years.

Am I critiquing those who supported Donald Trump, as if they were seduced into voting for him? Not at all. I voted for him myself, both in 2016 and 2020. And my book is about the church more than it is about President Trump (or any other political leader, for that matter).

Then what do I mean by political seduction?

I’m referring to the unhealthy marriage of politics and the gospel. I’m speaking about the church becoming an appendage to a political party. I’m talking about God’s people getting consumed with election fever. I’m referring to believers putting their hope in a political leader in a way that becomes unhealthy and even idolatrous.

That is what I mean by political seduction.

Unfortunately, seduction is very seducing. It comes in subtly, not overtly, through the side window, not the front door. And it looks so good at the outset, so justifiable, so right. It is only over time that it begins to show its fangs. (For a graphic picture of seduction and its consequences, read Proverbs 7.)

That’s why I have a whole chapter in the book titled, “The Subtlety of Seduction.”

That’s also why I devote two chapters to the false prophecies about Trump’s reelection in 2020, titled, “When the Prophets Prophesied Falsely,” and, “The Genesis of False Prophecy.”

That’s why the last chapter of the book is titled, “How We Failed the Test: Retracing Our Steps and Learning the Big Lessons.”

I am convinced that, as the people of God, we can do better. In fact, we must do better. Otherwise, without our light shining brightly, the nation will collapse.

But, to repeat, seduction is very subtle, and in the heat of the moment, it’s easy to understand why so many of us got so caught up in politics to the point of obsession.

After all, didn’t the fate of the nation hang in the balance? Weren’t our very freedoms at stake? Didn’t the radical left want to bring dangerous, existential changes to our country, changes that would affect us for generations to come?

The answer to all these questions was and is yes – yes in 2020; yes in 2022; and yes in 2024. These have been and will be absolutely pivotal elections.

The problem is when we merge the gospel with the elections, as if a political party was the key to advancing God’s kingdom on the earth. The problem is when we put our trust in the political system more than in the power of the gospel. The problem is when we try to fight spiritual battles with earthly weapons.

This is the political seduction of the church, and this is what happened to millions of us in recent years.

The question is: Did it happen to you? Did it happen to me?

Here are some telltale signs that we have been politically seduced.

When we’re more concerned with winning elections than winning the lost.

When we wrap the gospel in the American flag.

When we equate our country with the kingdom of God.

When we confuse patriotism with spirituality.

When we compromise our ethics to keep our party (or man or woman) in power.

When our church/denomination/ministry becomes an appendage of a political party.

When we put more trust in earthly methods than in spiritual methods.

When we make one political party the party of God and the other the party of Satan.

When we become as vulgar and rude as the candidates we follow.

When we look to the White House more than to God’s house.

When we make a human being into a political savior.

When we equate loyalty to God (which is unconditional) with loyalty to a party or political leader (which is conditional).

When our prayers and our prophecies become partisan.

These are all signs that we have been politically seduced, even if only one or two of them apply to us.

With all respect, I suggest that if the shoe fits, we wear it, own it, acknowledge it, learn from it, and move forward without feeling condemned.

We need to take our place on the front lines, putting first things first – and that means the gospel before politics.

If we keep our priorities straight, the nation can be shaken.

https://askdrbrown.org/library/what-i-mean-when-i-speak-political-seduction-church

Hi Everybody!

I've found another book that I immediately went out and bought. Unfortunately, it is not in ebook form at this time. The thing is, I've read enough already, that I want to continue to read and finish the book ASAP. It's, hopefully, an important book that will answer some questions for me, and maybe, for a lot of you, too.

I know I've said that I read nonfiction on an ad hoc basis based upon what I'm wanting to write about ...But, again, I'm hoping this book is, perhaps, the one I've been waiting for... It is by an evangelical christian, but he has an interesting background and is now on many social networks speaking about...well., just about anything you want to ask him! How Cool is That?! BTW, I just signed up on his site and commented on an article about this book, and more... 

Sooooo, just wanted to take the time and let you all know why I'll be away for...well, as long as it takes for me to read it. Since it is paperback, I cannot increase size of print and will need to be sitting for a longer period holding the book under a bright light...not easy to do, when I'm not supposed to be sitting for long periods at a time these days...

In the meantime, you might want to check out AskDr.Brown using the link above about the book...once you're there, check out the other topics he's covered in one way or another...I "think" I'm going to like this guy... So watch for my words on the book fairly soon...

By the way, I'm working with a writer on a spotlight author event... Hope everything works out on that activity as well!

Take Care

God Bless, Glenda

P. 52--A few weeks after the elections, when emotions were still at a fever pitch and Trump supporters were feeling robbed and raw, I was up late one night reading some online posts written by friends of mine. These were people whom my wife, Nancy, and I had known for years, people of good character, people who were gospel first in their orientation. But not that night. As I read their pro-Trump posts containing the most ridiculous claims, attacking other believers with angry words, reflecting extreme political biases, I broke down weeping. "What has become of us?" I asked my wife. "These are our friends." Those posts reflected just the tiniest tip of a massive iceberg. On a national level we had drifted seriously off course, deeply damaging our Christian witness...