Amy E. Black

Five Views on the Church and Politics is an excellent introduction to how five denominations view the intersection of their church and politics. Each of the five give an overview of their theology and how it applies to the topic at hand, then the other four respond with the differences and similarities between the the two denominations. This format is ideal for an academic setting but is also accessible to a layperson who wants to learn about various theologies.

This reminds me of the Bedford Critical Editions within the literature discipline. Those books present a work, usually a novel, then present explanations of various schools of thought, each followed by a critical essay demonstrating how that school of thought might approach the novel in question. Both the Bedford series and this Counterpoints series provide explanation as well as compare-and-contrast opportunities for learners to better distinguish differences.

While intended, I believe, for an academic audience, this would certainly be a wonderful addition to the library of anyone who likes to better understand the views of other people. The disagreements within the book are presented positively and not in a particularly confrontational manner and should be read as educational and not argumentative. The argument can only really begin after one has honestly tried to understand another viewpoint, so read each with a mind toward understanding, not responding, then revisit with an eye toward responding. This will broaden your understanding of both these denominations as well as your own should it not be included here.

I found no entry with which I was in complete agreement yet gained much from understanding these views even if I changed very little of my personal view.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.… (más)

This review is also available on my blog, Read Till Dawn.

Note: Before I post this review, I want to make a public service announcement. The fine people over at Bookshop Talk are throwing a huge giveaway where you can win up to ten books of your choice! Mention I sent you and I get an extra entry. Pretty please? *puppy dog eyes* I want to win a copy of Shannon Hale's Princess Academy: The Forgotten Sisters, because my lousy not-so-nice library doesn't carry it.

I chose this book partly out of curiosity and partly out of an ornery desire to read a book I didn't like, just so I could write a bad review when it started telling me how to vote to be a good Christian. No, I don't normally pick out books so I can give them a bad review - that would be really nasty! I was just in a controversial mood because of some stuff in my personal life (one word: evolution), and wanted to take someone to task for their "holier than thou," "God is on my side" attitude.

Unfortunately for me, this really isn't a book I can write that review for. To be fair, though, I don't really feel the need to write that review anymore either, so that works out well. I actually really loved the attitude Black takes in the book: she reminds the reader again and again that compromise is key, that nobody knows for a fact what God's stance is on each and every political issue, and that demonizing opposing opinions is the opposite of showing 1 Corinthians love for our fellow man.

Okay, so I love Black's stance on the whole political tangle. What I didn't love so much was all the detailed explanations. The whole middle of the book focuses on explaining the government system, the political parties, some of the main views of what Christian participation in politics should look like, and more. The explanations are very informative, but they make the whole book drag for someone who already knows some of the material, and doesn't care about the rest.

However, I wouldn't write the book off for its slow middle because I'm sure lots of people would find it very helpful. If you're looking for something that will give you the tools necessary to form your own opinions, then this is the book for you. It lists out websites and resources you can use to verify facts and wade through propoganda, and I'll definitely be using some of them during the next presidential election. There's nothing I hate more than being told to think a certain way just because someone else did the thinking for me, so I love how Honoring God provides tools to help me understand what's going on and form my own opinion, instead of just accepting everything at face value.

All in all, this is a great book for someone who wants to approach politics with an open mind and a willing heart. I seriously doubt that anyone, no matter what their political views, could take offense at anything Black says. It's a great book because everyone can get something from it, and come away with a better attitude toward people with opposing views. It's a great starting place for cultivating critical thinking and in politics, and one that I will most likely turn to as a resource when it's time for me to vote.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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I found this book to be pretty helpful, but I would offer two cautions up front. One, if you don't need a Political Science 101 primer, the bulk of the book will probably be redundant for you. Two, if you expect Amy Black to pronounce in favor of one side of a major issue or another, you'll be disappointed. She's painstakingly nonpartisan (which I appreciated).

The aim of the book is to equip Christians to participate meaningfully in the political process. Black emphatically debunks any notion that Christians must ally themselves with a party line, and, in fact, she consistently urges Christians to dialogue respectfully with coreligionists (and others) from whom they differ ideologically -- rather than attacking their faith or questioning their sincerity. In one chapter, she uses poverty as an example of an issue upon which Christians can embrace common ends while disagreeing on the means of attaining them. I'm not sure everyone would agree with her that most people of good faith agree on basic political ends while advocating different means, but I found the distinction helpful.

In particular, I found the bits on the legislative process, approaches to making voting decisions, and basic distinctions in mainstream political ideologies very helpful. The book never made me feel growly and defensive, which was a big plus for me.… (más)