For some time I have admittedly struggled to understand the crazy evolution of our conservative Party. However, this book, “The Kingdom, The Power and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism” by Tim Alberta provides lots of insight into this phenomena.
It seems Tim and I were raised with similar conservative, evangelical principles and also share our love for writing. In fact, several articles ago I shared my journey from a very conservative, Christian upbringing, including my apolitical military career, to my current liberal standing on varying political and spiritual issues in holistic wellness articles.
After becoming a journalist/author and writing more liberally about political issues and the hypocrisy Alberta was seeing, he returned home to his roots to attend his father’s funeral in his church of origin. Surprising to him, he was confronted by church conservatives, with whom he had grown up with through the years…chastising him for challenging the extreme right on their hateful stance when Christianity should be promoting love instead…yet another head scratcher.
In reality, Tim’s analysis of why we are where we are in this age of extremists has been particularly eye opening as evangelical extremists evolve politically.
In “The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory”, Tim Alberta provides an in-depth analysis of the rise of political extremism in the United States. In this comprehensive work, Alberta explores how the increasing polarization of American politics has been fueled by the intertwining forces of big business, big government, and big media.
Alberta’s book delves into the historical and sociopolitical factors that have contributed to the current state of American politics, tracing the roots of extremism and polarization back to the post-World War II era. He argues that the convergence of economic, governmental, and media interests has led to the consolidation of power in the hands of a few influential entities, which in turn has increased the divide between political factions and marginalized moderate voices.
The book explores the ways in which big business, through its financial influence and lobbying power, has shaped public policy and perpetuated income inequality, contributing to the growing discontent and disillusionment among the American populace. Alberta also examines the expansion of government power and its impact on individual liberties, highlighting the erosion of trust in institutions and the rise of anti-establishment sentiment.
Moreover, Alberta scrutinizes the role of big media in disseminating information and shaping public opinion, emphasizing how the proliferation of partisan news outlets and social media echo chambers has deepened ideological divisions and undermined the pursuit of objective truth.
Alberta’s book does not merely diagnose the problems afflicting American politics; it also offers an exploration of potential solutions. He advocates for a reinvigoration of civic engagement, a revitalization of local communities, and a renewed commitment to democratic principles as essential steps toward mitigating the corrosive effects of extremism and restoring a sense of unity and common purpose.
Here are the closing words of the book, a verse from Second Corinthians: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Broadly, the church has lost sight of the heavenly end to which it aspires, the victory which Christ has won, by turning politics…and more fundamentally, winning… into an end unto itself.
In addition, Tim adds that politicized Christianity may have won some battles…while losing the war. By shedding concerns about a previous president’s character, for example, the purveyors of politicized Christianity diminish the church’s moral witness. Indeed, Alberta cites a multitude of statistics on the erosion of American Christianity.
“The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory” is a thought-provoking and timely work that sheds light on the complex interplay of economic, governmental, and media forces in shaping contemporary American politics. Alberta’s thorough examination of the age of extremists serves as a call to action, urging readers to confront the challenges posed by polarization and to strive for a more inclusive and equitable future for our country. .
Warriors…let’s promote and vote for love, compassion and equality. Progress not perfection!
Spiritual Meditation: Our job as healers is not to awaken the sleeping but to create a safe place for them to wake up on their own. – Daily Medicine