Thy Kingdome Come: How the Religious Right Distorts the Faith and Threatens America ; an Evangelical's Lament

Randall Herbert Balmer

BasicBooks, 2006 - Political Science - 242 pages

For much of American history, evangelicalism was aligned with progressive political causes. Nineteenth-century evangelicals fought for the abolition of slavery, universal suffrage, and public education. But contemporary conservative activists have defaulted on this majestic legacy, embracing instead an agenda virtually indistinguishable from the Republican Party platform. Abortion, gay marriage, intelligent design--the Religious Right is fighting, and winning, some of the most important political battles of the twentyfirst century. How has evangelical Christianity become so entrenched in partisan politics? Randall Balmer is both an evangelical Christian and a historian of American religion. Struggling to reconcile the contemporary state of evangelical faith in America with its proud tradition of progressivism, Balmer has headed to the frontlines of some of the most powerful and controversial organizations tied to the Religious Right. With a skillful combination of grassroots organization, ideological conviction, and media savvy, the leaders of the movement have mobilized millions of American evangelical Christians behind George W. Bush's hard-right political agenda. Deftly combining ethnographic research, theological reflections, and historical context, Balmer laments the trivialization of Christianity--and offers a rallying cry for liberal Christians to reclaim the noble traditions of their faith.

What people are saying

Review: Thy Kingdom Come: How the Religious Right Distorts the Faith and Threatens America: An Evangelical's Lament

User Review  - Matt Parkins - Goodreads

Excellent book by the rarest of breeds, an evangelical who happens to be a liberal Demoract. Very even handed on most topics including his treatment of abortion and gay marriage.

Review: Thy Kingdom Come: How the Religious Right Distorts the Faith and Threatens America: An Evangelical's Lament

User Review  - Douglas Griess - Goodreads

Pretty bad.

About the author

Randall Balmer is Professor of American Religious History at Barnard College, Columbia University, and a visiting professor at Yale University Divinity School. Balmer has published ten books, including Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory: A Journey into the Evangelical Subculture in America, which was made into a three-part documentary for PBS. He lives in Woodbury, Connecticut, with his wife, Catharine Randall, who is also a professor and an author.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Thy Kingdome Come: How the Religious Right Distorts the Faith and Threatens America ; an Evangelical's Lament
• Author: Randall Herbert Balmer
• Publisher: BasicBooks, 2006
• ISBN: 0465005195, 9780465005192
• Length: 242 pages
• Subjects: Political Science / Political Ideologies / Conservatism & Liberalism; Religion / Religion, Politics & State