Category Archives: American Idolatry

When Prayer Is Something Else Altogether

Note from CM: I will moderate closely today. Mind your Ps and Qs. • • • Sunday’s event is a near-perfect embodiment of political evangelicalism in the Age of Trump: It blends Christian nationalism, the idea that the United States has a special place in God’s plans and Trump is God’s agent; social media, whereContinue reading “When Prayer Is Something Else Altogether”

The Revival of Civil Religion

Here is an announcement from the website of First Baptist Dallas. Their pastor, Robert Jeffress, has been one of evangelical Christianity’s prime cheerleaders for President Trump throughout the past election year and since. • • • President Donald J. Trump to Join Pastor Robert Jeffress in Honoring Veterans at the Kennedy Center for the ‘Celebrate Freedom’ ConcertContinue reading “The Revival of Civil Religion”

Election Day Special: Bob Is Angry on Election Day

Note from CM: Michael originally wrote this for the 2008 election. • • • Today being election day, and many of my evangelical friends being in somewhat of a foul mood, for reasons that, as of 12:28 p.m., are suspected and not yet clear, I found myself thinking about a fellow I’ll call Bob. IContinue reading “Election Day Special: Bob Is Angry on Election Day”

Randy Thompson: Jesus Christ or Jesus Caesar?

Note from CM: We’ll reflect on Ash Wednesday tomorrow, after I return home. Thanks to Randy Thompson for helping out with today’s post. • • • Jesus Christ or Jesus Caesar? An Open Letter to Senator Ted Cruz “Just spend a minute, saying, ‘Father God, please continue this awakening, continue this spirit of revival,’ CruzContinue reading “Randy Thompson: Jesus Christ or Jesus Caesar?”

Another Look: What About the Flag in the Sanctuary? (Or How To Get Fired Really Fast.)

A Classic iMonk Post for Memorial Day, 2014 Sometime when I was in seminary, I first heard the term “civil religion” and started to understand that some people had a problem with the American flag in a church sanctuary. The flag- and its companion, the “Christian” flag- have been in every church sanctuary I’ve everContinue reading “Another Look: What About the Flag in the Sanctuary? (Or How To Get Fired Really Fast.)”

God’s “Winning” Team

Jeff’s post about Tim Tebow started me thinking the other day. What does Jesus’ team look like and what is their record in big games? So I looked it up, and here’s what I found… JESUS’ TEAM OF “WINNERS” Peter “The Rock” was executed around AD64 during the persecutions of Emperor Nero, or later inContinue reading “God’s “Winning” Team”

Naked Emperor, Part Two: The Americanization Of God

I started a series last week called The Naked Emperor. It is one man’s look at the empty shell of evangelicalism. I said that I have been intimately involved in what I call the “evangelical circus” for way too long. And while others have said, “What lovely clothes the emperor is wearing,” I have seenContinue reading “Naked Emperor, Part Two: The Americanization Of God”

Anger At The Poor

So many people these days seem to be angry at poor people.  I hear comments by journalists, by so-called pundits, by television and radio talk-show hosts, and by the people who call in on those shows.  The poor, according to these professionally angry people, are getting a “free ride;” they’re part of an “all-out warContinue reading “Anger At The Poor”

The Bad News of Self-Righteousness

By Chaplain Mike My reliable source for the culture war, prosperity gospel, and all things “trend-a-gelical” is The Christian Post. They call themselves “the nation’s most comprehensive Christian news website…delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.” Actually, most of the time it’s like walking into a bad Christian bookstore withContinue reading “The Bad News of Self-Righteousness”