Welcome to Litsy!

Still a favorite of the year, I learned so much from this one. #sundayfunday @BookmarkTavern

Tim Alberta, the son of a pastor, has a lifetime of experience in the evangelical church. He takes us through the recent history of the church, explaining how they went from loving God and preaching the Bible to exalting political leaders and grabbing for power. It was sad and disturbing and eye opening-especially since I have family members who fall into this group. I appreciated his use of scripture to explain what the Bible actually says ⬇️

4.5⭐️ It was a very fascinating read, which was very in-depth about how American evangelicals are becoming more and more extreme and not in a good way. What‘s really important is that the author travels to the various places around the US that are highlighted. Highly recommended. #2024 #nonfiction #bookreview #christianity #evangelicals

Another 5 ⭐️ read. I‘m not evangelical (I‘m in the evil left they talk about in the book), but I‘m glad the author is because he has a unique perspective. We all know about the alt-right, but what is going on in some “churches” is eye-opening. I recommend this to any religious person—he does talk about faith/Christian beliefs so for non-believers, it might not be a book for you.

I‘m not reading as much non-fiction as I‘d like to be but these all have been excellent. I still think about the Winterson but there‘s lots of potential for others to claim the top spot.

I grew up in a religious household and this book validated my feelings of what I thought Christianity was to my “I don‘t want a part of that‘ now. Through multiple interviews, Alberta showcases the evolution of the Church from Christ focused to politics focused…because fear sells. Well written and thoughtful, this was a great book.

A huge thank you to @Suet624 for her review and the discussion that arose around it. At the time I felt like I would be wasting time and was a bit dismissive. That is always a wake up call because there is always something to learn. I listened to this slowly over the last few months. It fleshed out so much of what I believe to be wrong but also left me hopeful that others are fighting against those wrongs with the right message. Maybe we ⬇️

“Religion and politics are natural enemies; both provide a sense of belonging and self-actualization to the masses. Tension between the two is healthy and necessary. When one appropriates the other, history shows that oppression—leading to death and human suffering at a woeful scale—is the inevitable result.”

“Today‘s evangelicalism preaches bitterness toward unbelievers and bottomless grace for churchgoing Christians, yet the New Testament model is exactly the opposite, stressing strict accountability for those inside the Church and abounding charity to those outside it.”

“This is the gospel we are to proclaim both in word and in deed: To be a Christian is to sacrifice not for the benefit of those we already have around our table but for the betterment of those we have never considered to invite.”

“The notion that God was ‘calling‘ on Christians to ‘take back‘ their country—especially by force—is laughably incompatible with the teachings of Christ. It was Jesus who subverted the authorities with teachings of obedience and edicts of nonviolence; it was Jesus who mocked His captors for brandishing weapons as they arrested Him.”

This was excellent but challenging, because the content is so troubling. Alberta offers a detailed, nuanced look at the rise of Christian nationalism in the US, going back to Jerry Falwell & the “Moral Majority” of the 80s, & exploring the current political landscape from the Trump years through COVID, BLM, & beyond. Woven throughout are interviews with pastors & Christian leaders (both Christian nationalists & those troubled by the movement). ⬇️

A fantastic must-read for any American concerned about the rise of Christian nationalism and the conflation of Christian faith with political ideology.

Tim Alberta's father was a pastor in the evangelical church; when parishioners confronted him about his criticism of Trump at his father's funeral, he felt compelled to investigate the changes that have led nationalism to be conflated with faith, and caused evangelicals to be focused on power in this world instead of justice in the next. Highly recommend for anyone interested in the evangelical movement, whether you're a believer or not.

Really well done, but what a difficult listen. Distressing and just appalling. Alberta is thoughtful and thorough so definitely worth a read if you can stomach it.

A fascinating and troubling look at the widening division within the American evangelical church. Journalist Tim Alberta, coming from a conservative Christian upbringing himself, shares the history of some key evangelical players. He also visits churches, conferences, and pastors around the country to investigate the distressing trend towards Christian nationalism, increasing scandal, and political power grabbing in the church. Pretty alarming.

I can‘t possibly review this book adequately in the space allotted here. Alberta, a pastor‘s son and very familiar with church teachings, travels the U.S. and brings us an in-depth analysis of what the mega churches and evangelicals are preaching. It‘s fascinating, infuriating, frightening. He also outlines what some leaders are trying to do to return their churchgoers to the teachings of Jesus. Please check it out. I would suggest the audiobook.

So often Christianity and Christian Nationalism are critiqued by those outside the faith, so I was pleased to read believer Alberta‘s unflinching look at a dangerous subculture. He examines the affect of MAGA and the pandemic on both followers and leaders and the perfect storm brewing for division in the country. But he also reflects on his pastor father‘s legacy, and in the final section highlights those working to improve churches. 5⭐️

Really good book that looked into and explained some of the extremism in the historic evangelical church in America. It was difficult to read because of the uncomfortable truths that it exposed. I wish that many in the American church would read and receive this important message. I hope that I can receive it in my own heart too. Merry Christmas.

If you, like me, appreciate Tim Alberta‘s journalism in The Atlantic or on TV news, I think you‘ll be riveted by this. It‘s a far-reaching analysis of the influence of Evangelical institutions/personalities on politics (and vice versa). Alberta‘s a Christian and his late dad was a prominent pastor, so it‘s insider-y. I was a bit 😳 seeing it was over 18 hrs on audio, but it was so engaging that I inhaled in just a couple of days (at 2.0 speed).