what do you make of Dr John Dickson's claim that history shows us that Christians serve best when they are not in power? You might not have time for this as a rather long sit-in-a-chair read - but have you tried Audible while on your long walks? Audio-books can be great for saving time while listening to books. https://www.amazon.com.au/Bullies-Saints-Honest-Christian-History/dp/0310118360
Also - I'd love to put this more pertinent book on your radar. It's probably quicker than trying to read anything by MT Wright. (Winks).
Finally - this podcast is free and should be right up your alley - and it includes an interview with MT Wright - and even reference to one of our more impressive and vulgar records of a 'great' but controversial Australian Prime Minister - a record he achieved in a pub near one of your better academic institutions! (Wink). https://undeceptions.com/podcast/political-jesus/
I liked it, but only because you are looking at the right problem - materialism versus idealism (for want of a better term). But I cannot believe that Christian Democracy a la Western European model (and that only has applied, and no longer does, to West Germany and Italy, and possibly Spain although the latter is horribly tainted by Francoism). In France, 28% claim to be catholic, but only 8% of those regularly attend mass. In the UK I think the last figure was only 1% of the supposedly “Christian” population are regular church goers. How can we possibly create a political movement out of such thin gruel? Yes, we need a political movement that has as its foundational values love, community, care for the planet (in its widest sense, not mere climate catastrophism), but that needs a spiritual and philosophical underpinning that Christianity alone simply cannot provide - because so few of us are persuaded by the message, as presented by mainstream Christians. Unless you are arguing for the conversion of England. Which is where we need to start.
Hi Sam,
what do you make of Dr John Dickson's claim that history shows us that Christians serve best when they are not in power? You might not have time for this as a rather long sit-in-a-chair read - but have you tried Audible while on your long walks? Audio-books can be great for saving time while listening to books. https://www.amazon.com.au/Bullies-Saints-Honest-Christian-History/dp/0310118360
Also - I'd love to put this more pertinent book on your radar. It's probably quicker than trying to read anything by MT Wright. (Winks).
https://matthiasmedia.com.au/products/subjects-and-citizens
Finally - this podcast is free and should be right up your alley - and it includes an interview with MT Wright - and even reference to one of our more impressive and vulgar records of a 'great' but controversial Australian Prime Minister - a record he achieved in a pub near one of your better academic institutions! (Wink). https://undeceptions.com/podcast/political-jesus/
Or this https://nationalconservatism.org/national-conservatism-a-statement-of-principles/
I liked it, but only because you are looking at the right problem - materialism versus idealism (for want of a better term). But I cannot believe that Christian Democracy a la Western European model (and that only has applied, and no longer does, to West Germany and Italy, and possibly Spain although the latter is horribly tainted by Francoism). In France, 28% claim to be catholic, but only 8% of those regularly attend mass. In the UK I think the last figure was only 1% of the supposedly “Christian” population are regular church goers. How can we possibly create a political movement out of such thin gruel? Yes, we need a political movement that has as its foundational values love, community, care for the planet (in its widest sense, not mere climate catastrophism), but that needs a spiritual and philosophical underpinning that Christianity alone simply cannot provide - because so few of us are persuaded by the message, as presented by mainstream Christians. Unless you are arguing for the conversion of England. Which is where we need to start.
and I mean conversion, not reversion. Metanoia does not mean go backwards.
Actually, I think I really am arguing for the conversion of England...
Yes, I think I got that 😊 the question is, to what?