Saturday, December 13, 2008

Gregory Boyd and the "Myth of a Christian Nation"

Evangelical Pastor Gregory Boyd, who is one of the few American pastors that disagrees with the "Christian Nation" crowd explains his views on the Charlie Rose Show. Boyd's book, The Myth of a Christian Nation became a popular book in 2006 as a work that countered most Christian Nation Evangelical writers. Very interesting and worth watching.

Part 1:


Part 2:


Part 3:

11 comments:

Tom Van Dyke said...

I see one of our contributors has posted the same video of Greg Boyd at his own blog here.

Forgive me if I don't sit through yet another video, Brad. I'll continue to beg for summaries of what is said. At least alert us if his ideas have actual relevance to the literature of the Founding or are just more modern theological opinion of what Christianity's relationship should be to conservatism and the GOP.

Because his "popularity" seems to be based on that:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1659000

and an "evangelical" urging a decoupling from the GOP will never want for TV time, the media being what it is.

As for his "open theology," which is the real reason evangelicals call him a heretic, I find it interesting, no more far-out than Teilhard de Chardin's, which is not normative in Roman Catholicism but not yet condemned either.

Our Founding Truth said...

Brad, thanks for posting this video.

I disagree with most everything he says, including his belief to never use violence. He certainly wasn't reading the Bible when he came to that conclusion. I think he has confused self-defense with aggression.

Brad Hart said...

Tom:

I guess I don't agree. Even if Mr. Boyd's popularity only stems from being an anomaly that doesn't make what he has to say irrelevant. He’s every bit as relevant as Barton (haven’t you been defending Barton as of late?) and other religious figures that rant on this topic. As for summarizing stuff, I don't agree. Video material can be quite useful. Sorry you don't agree. And yes, you are alerted that his literature has relevance.

OFT:

I agree with much of what you have to say. Having been a cop I also disagree with Boyd's notion that violence is always bad.

Raven said...

Brad, stop. You are never going to make any kind of headway with Van Dyke. What I find funny is the fact that your blog's resident GAME SHOW guru doesn't like video clips. Como se dice HIPPOCRITE!!!

Tom Van Dyke said...

Brad, I only asked if Boyd's comments had anything to do with our study of the Founding. A fair question. Glad you enjoyed the video clips of my gameshow appearances, Raven. Nice to hear from you again.

And I defend David Barton only in principle. I read him when his critics hereabouts link to him, and am uninterested in the video clips posted here in "evidence" against him. He just hasn't much to do with my own studies of religion and the Founding. I figger if one of us has something to say, he [or she] should say it for him/herself.

Do Greg Boyd's opinions have anything to do with the Founding, Brad? If so, perhaps I'll invest the time in the videos. If not, not.

Brad Hart said...

Tom:

That seems fair enough. Just FYI, I wasn't presenting the video to counter Barton or anything like that. In fact, I have tried to leave Barton behind me, since other bloggers here do a better job of bringing him up than I could ever hope to do. I guess I see Boyd's comments as relevant because he represents a growing voice within evangelicalism. Of course he is a minority, but I think his views are still worthy of being noted here...if for nothing else than to let people know that he exists.

As for Raven, anyone that hides behind a fake name while making attacks against another is and always will be irrelevant.

Tom Van Dyke said...

Brad, I don't care about the content of anyone's religious beliefs that makes them vote this way or that. I only argue that religiously-informed conscience is quite a proper guide. You've quoted Steven Waldman approvingly:

http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/waldman200407300907.asp

I think his sentiments are neutral enough for this forum. I find the partisan stuff counterproductive.

Brad Hart said...

I know you don't like partisan stuff, Tom. This wasn't posted here to be partisan, but to simply put the info out there. After all, this is an all-encompassing blog.

Phil Johnson said...

.
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Of course, me being who it is that I am, these video clips were right on!
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Things are happening in American politics as well as in American Christianity.
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I'm now reading Robert S. McElvaine's Grand Theft Jesus. I think Gregory Boyd and McElvaine both represent a growing unrest with Evangelical Christianity in America.
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And,
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Quoth the Raven, "You are never going to make any kind of headway with Van Dyke."
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You could get weak and weary pondering that one....
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But, be nice, Tom might fling the shutters on you.
.

Brian Tubbs said...

A little side note....a good Gregory Boyd book I'd recommend to folks is "Letters From a Skeptic." Makes an excellent case for Theism in general and Christianity in particular.

Phil Johnson said...

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It would be good if one of the participants would do a paper on American Exceptionalism as it might relate to our Founding.
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I watched part of a Cspan program on the subject. Here is a link where the video will be available in a day or two: Click Here