Two Cheers for Herr Greg Boyd
Posted by dlw in Uncategorized at 10:19 pm | 
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My theological mentor from my undergrad days, Greg Boyd, has been given prominence in an article in the NYTIMES. This article is getting some attention in the blogosphere bigwigs like Andrew Sullivan. It describes the effects of his “Cross and the Sword” sermon series and his book, “The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power Is Destroying the Church” that is based on that series.
I’ve written about Greg Boyd in the past… I’d like to join others in applauding him for taking a public stand on these controversial issues. I’d also like to suggest that I think he comes across as a bit reactive, rather than proactive. I hope to hear him respond to my ideal-type party premise that an active involvement in politics can be glorifying to God if done in an ethical manner that is not dogmatic and seeks to widen the range of interests that can be served by the government? The underlying issue for me is that it’s not enough to prophetically state that our political priorities as Christians in the US are out of balance, one also needs to, as part of the ministry of reconciliation, help reframe the key issues to promote compromise and to prevent them from continuing as wedge issues that mainly sow acrimony.
Perhaps, Greg will choose to listen to his former student on this issue of passionate concern for me…
dlw
The 2nd of August, 2006 at 11:59 pm
Boyd sounds like an interesting fellow. Thanks for linking to the story.
The 3rd of August, 2006 at 8:17 pm
There is definitely a call for political action on the parts of Christians. The reaction of some to the ugliness of partisan politics and punditry may be to jettison the whole enterprise out of disgust. That would be to swing the pendulum too far the other way. We need a balanced, proactive approach. I personally am attracted to the theories of the Dutch Calvinists, Abraham Kuyper and Herman Dooyweerd.
The 3rd of August, 2006 at 8:39 pm
Kuper was influenced by Theological Liberalism and German Historicism, which were strongly influenced by Halle Pietism, which also influenced Catholic Social Thought through the Anglo-Catholicism of former Evangelical Cardinal Henry Manning. What makes Halle Pietism distinct is its holistic focus on missiology and ecclesiology that considered, deliberating on the proper exegesis of Scripture, the sorts of works that should come from our faiths as Christians and were open to learning and sharing with others from different denominations.
If you want, email me and I’ll send you my paper on Swedish Baptist Pietism. If I haven’t already done so…
dlw
The 4th of August, 2006 at 9:12 pm
Funny hearing Andrew Sullivan weigh in on the NYT article about Greg, considering that he is an unapologetic neo-con who was pro Iraq war from the get go. He is contradicting himself here, though I do agree with his thoughts. Great blog btw dtw.
-Marc
The 9th of September, 2006 at 8:05 am
I’m currently half way through reading his “The Myth of a Christian Nation” which seems pretty good so far. I agree though that this he was brave in the context of the evangelical constituency to raise the issue and find this willingness to address the issue heartening.
The 10th of September, 2006 at 3:19 pm
Yeah, I shd say that when I criticize Boyd and others it is because I value so much of what they do and say.
dlw