A Protestant Integralism? A Review of Mohler's "The Gathering Storm"
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I have never enjoyed Mohler’s books. I’m surprised he went in this direction for this one. I don’t recall seeing this large of a PR campaign for any other book of his. I had not planned to read this book, and likely still won’t. I am beyond disappointed that Mohler appears to have gone to the side of American Christian nationalism - no matter how nuanced it is.
The best book I’ve read about how the Church ought to function in a world that’s changed is Stanley Hauerwas and William Willimon’s Resdent Aliens.
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
My interest in reading this book would be to see who is influencing him (including the footnotes). The article mentions that Mohler quotes Machen several times, but I’d be interested to know if and how he quotes Carl FH Henry, since Henry was his mentor. Henry attacked many forms of Secularism and the syncretism of Christianity and secularism that Christian liberals so often embraced in the latter 20th century, but Henry did not advocate fighting the culture war in the way that Mohler seems to be doing. Although he encouraged political activism by conservative evangelicals and liberal evangelicals, Henry was very critical of both groups for their narrow agendas and their idolatry and capitulation to both the Republican and Democrat parties.
Off topic but I thought this quote was awesome:
“Mohler is fond of J. Gresham Machen, and as an Orthodox Presbyterian Churchman, I’m glad Mohler exhibits this infallible sign of election.”
Speaking of Machen though, Mohler can like him all he wants but he appears to be about opposite of his political and cultural positions. Machen would have almost certainly have written a review of Mohler’s book and it would not have been favorable. Personally I don’t really understand the infatuation some have with Mohler. He is certainly a smart man and I respect him but I just don’t see how he stands out among the countless well-known pastors and theologians.
I’ve never read Resident Aliens; maybe someday. I was introduced to Hauerwas during an ethics class at Villanova. I guess Resident Aliens was brand new back then. (I’m getting old.) He is never dull, and he marches to his own drumbeat.
Michael Osborne
Philadelphia, PA
A few points:
One of the disturbing trends around his comment “sanctity of life”, is that Christians continue to view this solely in the realm of abortion at the expense of other areas of sanctity of life. This is where I think Christians are loosing ground to secularization. Evangelicals are not nearly as adamant about racial equality, pandemic response, social healthcare…. as it relates to life in those cases and instead keeps laser focused on abortion. They continue to vote for leaders who are anti-abortion to practically no avail in turning the tide.
I am also often amazed with the Calvinist position on many topics. They continue to espouse that God is in full control, despite man’s desires, even to the point that we are not in control of our own salvation. (I know I am being simplistic here), but they feel that somehow we need to mobilize and if we do, we can develop policies that will change men’s hearts.
[dgszweda]A few points:
One of the disturbing trends around his comment “sanctity of life”, is that Christians continue to view this solely in the realm of abortion at the expense of other areas of sanctity of life. This is where I think Christians are loosing ground to secularization. Evangelicals are not nearly as adamant about racial equality, pandemic response, social healthcare…. as it relates to life in those cases and instead keeps laser focused on abortion. They continue to vote for leaders who are anti-abortion to practically no avail in turning the tide.
I am also often amazed with the Calvinist position on many topics. They continue to espouse that God is in full control, despite man’s desires, even to the point that we are not in control of our own salvation. (I know I am being simplistic here), but they feel that somehow we need to mobilize and if we do, we can develop policies that will change men’s hearts.
I believe what you’ve said here is very important. Evangelicals really need to expand their view of what it means to be “pro-life”. Secularists have started to believe that they actually have the moral high ground because they value racial equity, immigrants, healthcare, etc. more than evangelicals do. Outside of the abortion issue, I’m not sure that they aren’t correct in their claim.
they value racial equity, immigrants, healthcare, etc. more than evangelicals do.
What’s the actual evidence for this claim?
[Larry]they value racial equity, immigrants, healthcare, etc. more than evangelicals do.
What’s the actual evidence for this claim?
Just my experience and observation.
[Larry]they value racial equity, immigrants, healthcare, etc. more than evangelicals do.
What’s the actual evidence for this claim?
A ton. Look at the polls around racial integration, socialized medicine, immigration reform…. when they are broken down by categories like conservative evangelicals. In fact they are the largest single voting block for Donald Trump. Mohler clearly articulated the position that he would vote for Donald Trump because of his stance on abortion. Yet socialized medicine and racial equality as well as other sticking points for republicans are aligned with sanctity of life. While areas like socialized medicine presents a challenge for republicans as it relates to over reach of government, it is clear that it improves health outcomes. Besides the abortion issue, I feel that the Democrats are leaving Republicans behind on being the bearer of sanctity of life.
Now per David’s comment, if I am going to judge someone’s commitment by either their stated desires, or by their results. Now by stated desires, I would agree the left looks pretty good. They also look pretty good if you think that more spending in a given area is a good.
Judging by results, on the other hand….I have to ask those who would endorse things like “single payer” whether they’re in favor of two month waits for gallbladder surgery, six month waits for MRIs, and the like that are common in single payer nations like Canada and the U.K. Regarding race relations, I have to ask whether the left is aware that most of the nastiest racist incidents I’m aware of occur in cities where Democrats are calling the shots. Why is that?
Aspiring to be a stick in the mud.
Just my experience and observation.
So not much to go on there. And mine is entirely different.
In fact they are the largest single voting block for Donald Trump.
Perhaps, but remember, most voted for someone else, and that has nothing to do with this question anyway.
Yet socialized medicine and racial equality as well as other sticking points for republicans are aligned with sanctity of life. While areas like socialized medicine presents a challenge for republicans as it relates to over reach of government, it is clear that it improves health outcomes.
Can you cite actual polls which show that evangelicals believe people should not have good health care? Or which polls show that evangelicals believe that there should be racial inequality? Because I wonder what the questions were and what the responses actually were.
Isn’t it true that the differences here are not about the issues themselves but the mechanics of them? We can all agree that healthcare needs to be better and more affordable and accessible but we can disagree on the best means of providing that, can’t we? I think there is a strong argument that socialized medicine may be the worst way to provide good healthcare. I don’t see a lot of evidence that racial equality is widely disputed among evangelicals. I think most agree. Again, the point is the specifics or mechanics of it, isn’t it? I
wonder if critics have bought into a narrative about evangelicals without actually looking at evidence which is why my question above is about “actual evidence” and about actual polls. I fear there is a litmus test based on saying the right things in being critical of the right people. Notice even in this current milieu how many people are expressing sympathy and solidarity but being criticized for saying it the wrong way.
Besides the abortion issue, I feel that the Democrats are leaving Republicans behind on being the bearer of sanctity of life.
“Besides the abortion issue” is a bit like saying to Mr. Lincoln, “Aside from the bullet, how was the play?”
But if this is true, why do Democratic policies promote and increase racial inequality and injustice? Is there any stronger indication of racial inequality than the failure to provide real school choice? Is there any stronger indication of racial injustice than the welfare system? Or the minimum wage? Have you read or listened much to Thomas Sowell on these issues? What’s your view or your solution?
In Resident Aliens, Hauerwas and Willimon call the Church to forget trying to ally with the State (what they call “Constantiniatism”) in a world that is decidedly against the Christian faith and message. Instead, we’re now free to stop trying to play that losing game and let the Church be the Church. We change the world by being the Church, not by being a prop for political parties in tacit exchange for favorable legislation to tweak the externals of society:
A few may still believe that by electing a few “Christian” senators, passing a few new laws, and tinkering with the federal budget we can form a “Christian” culture, or at least one that is a bit more just. But most people know this view to be touchingly anachronistic. All sorts of Christians are waking up and realizing that it is no longer “our world”—if it ever was.
…
The demise of the Constantinian world view, the gradual decline of the notion that the church needs some sort of surrounding “Christian” culture to prop it up and mold its young, is not a death to lament. It is an opportunity to celebrate.
…
Pastors who listen to their members, particularly to young parents, will hear them saying to their own children, with increasing regularity, “Such behavior is fine for everyone else, but not fine for you. You are special. You are different. You have a different story. You have a different set of values. You are a Christian.” And we believe that recognition signals a seismic shift in the world view of our church, which makes all the difference in the world for how we go about the business of being the church. Now our churches are free to embrace our roots, to resemble more closely the synagogue—a faith community that does not ask the world to do what it can only do for itself. What we once knew theologically, we now know experientially: Tertullian was right—Christians are not naturally born in places like Greenville or anywhere else. Christians are intentionally made by an adventuresome church, which has again learned to ask the right questions to which Christ alone supplies the right answers.
This is a better vision than what the Religious Right shills for. It also appears to be better than an intellecutalized Christian nationalism that Mohler may have bought into.
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
In Resident Aliens, Hauerwas and Willimon call the Church to forget trying to ally with the State (what they call “Constantiniatism”) in a world that is decidedly against the Christian faith and message.
There’s a far distance in our society (America) between allying with the state and some kind of hermitism. Christian citizens do not give up their citizenship. We are citizens of two kingdoms and are to live faithfully in each. To abandon the kingdom of this age to the secularists is to abandon our duty as citizens.
“racial integration, socialized medicine, immigration reform” - Nice sounding words, but the practical meaning & results are the problem and disagreement. Just because I have reservations about some popular topics doesn’t make me racist or uncaring. Christians are letting the political & theological left frame the discussion. I grew up in the 60s & early 70s, living through desegregation and forced busing. I am VERY suspicious of the political left & their social agendas, usually inconsistently selective of what they choose to confront. We are living in a very dangerous culture that will not hesitate to “shame” (a method the communists perfected) anyone who will not conform. How quickly people & businesses are willing to apologize for perceived offenses against racial groups reveals the weakness of moral belief.
About Mohler: Despite my strong disagreements with Mohler’s SBC affiliation, I doubt very few here would have been able to face the criticism and hate which he encountered in changing SBTS in the 90s. You may disagree with him on some issues, but he “stands out” for having the guts to change SBTS away from neo-orthodoxy.
Wally Morris
Huntington, IN
When it comes to politics, saying the right things has become more important to some people than supporting the right policies for the right reasons.
The minimum wage is a classic example. Supporting raising the minimum wage shows that you care about those making a low income. So why do I oppose it? It is because I also care about those making a low income. My children have the privilege of having a self employed father. That means I can take them to the job site, teach them a work ethic and help them develop a few basic skills. Many people in low income families do not have that. They have to learn how to show up for work on time and gain confidence in their abilities by having a low paying job to start with. If we raise the minimum wage too high, many of those low paying jobs will be phased out and replaced by automation. If there is a lasting recession, and high unemployment, and the minimum wage is $15, employers will hire the highest skilled workers they can get for that price and the lower skilled workers will be left unemployed. Their lack of employment history will make it harder to get another job. Further they will not be learning new job skills while on the job or gaining confidence to move on to a better job. Having a low minimum wage allows low skilled workers to enter the job market and then gain work history and job skills. I care about low income workers that is why I am against the minimum wage. The low skilled worker will be the first laid off with a raise in a minimum wage.
Next, lower taxes and less regulation stimulates the economy and creates more jobs (these are positions implemented by the political right). That creates a demand for more workers. Higher worker demand translates to higher wages. No doubt some employers will take advantage of their workers, but if the economy is doing so well that there is a need for more workers the worker with a minimum wage job can now apply for a new job knowing they have something to put on their resume and having the confidence that they are already part of the work force.
The point I am making is that I hold the political positions I do because of my care for the poor, not because of my apathy toward them. School choice is another obvious resource that we must make more available to our poor communities.
Having said that, I think that the political right has done a poor job of messaging. I think we need to frame our reasons for our policy positions in a more compassionate and understandable way and then reach across the isle promoting our reasons for our positions.
Discussion