Burton L. Mack

Overlook reviews for readers unfamiliar with exegesis of the synoptic gospels for the last 150 years.

The presentation here is generally within the mainstream of scholarly Biblical study. It is the best explication of the genesis of Christianity that I have read, and the earliest progression of Christianity is incongruous without reference to the Q document or a parallel.

The book is written well. Anyone who doubts the author's sources and methods need only consult the bibliography. He has done that work for you.

My copy did not have an epilogue. At archiv.org the book is free (but no epilogue).… (más)

The Rise and Fall of the Christian Myth: Restoring Our Democratic Ideals by Burton L. Mack is a study of the idea of a Christian nation. Mack is Wesley Professor of Early Christianity at Claremont School of Theology. Pioneering the study of Christian origins, his nine books include The Lost Gospel. He sees the gospels more as charter documents of the early Christian movements, not as reliable accounts of the life of Jesus. In the field of religious studies more generally, Mack is known for popularizing the term "Social Formation," originally coming from the work of Louis Althusser, as a descriptive category for religion. This stems from his development of a theory of religion as "social interests."

The idea of a Christian Nation is thrown around quite a bit in America without really defining it. Most people have heard of the Kentucky clerk who would not give marriage certificates to gay couples because it violated her religious beliefs. That seems fine until one reads what Jesus said about adultery and divorce and what he didn’t say about homosexuality. We look at war as just, but what would Jesus say about collateral damage? The concept of a Christian Nation or what it actually means is open to interpretation much like other terms like the American Way.

Mack uses a big picture of Christianity as a social force rather than quoting Bible verses or arguing translations. Starting when Constantine adopted Christianity as the religion of Rome. This was more for stability and maintaining the state. He examines Christianity as a social force or interest in the evolution of empires to kingdoms to nations and in the US, a nation made of separate states and “empty land.” History is traced through developments especially the industrial revolution and the acceptance of capitalism -- wage labor, piece work, assembly line.

There is also an adaptation of ideas without fully understanding their meanings. Socialism and communism have very bad connotations in America. Simply because the USSR was identified as communist and the Soviets were our enemy, therefore socialism and communism were evil. It was during the Cold War that “In God, We Trust” was added to our currency and “Under God” was added to the Pledge of Allegiance. We are right so God is on our side. America also took God on its side in the previous century under Manifest Destiny.

Mack looks at historical and current issues in society such as gun control and the role of lobbyists in creating laws in their interest instead of society's interests. Society’s interest is also brought up on the subject of defense spending and war making. There is a growing difference between society’s interest and what we call national interest. It is what society comes to believe and adopt as its myth which is being discussed. The idea that America was destined by God to conquer and settle the land reaching to the Pacific seems a bit extreme today. How will the future feel about fighting to impose democracy in Iraq or for national interests like oil? Mack gives an interesting look at religion as a social force without the dogma. It is a study of society and how a nation creates a myth or hero to further its goals. Certain myths remain untouched and essentially unchallenged by society; this book is about the why.
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