Kistol And Kag A Comparative Analysis

The third impact of democracy on American religion is a sense of grand ambition. The hope and optimism that were so central to democracy often resulted in dreams and aspirations of significant social change and progress. Methodists like Garrettson were particularly noteworthy in their ambition. Though the Methodist system used a hierarchical system of governance, that system was intended to be a force for liberation. We see this grand ambition of liberation clearly in the life of Garrettson. Shortly

Cornel West criticizes that the current American theologies cannot response to current issues such as “racial degradation, patriarchal domination, and imperialist aggression,” because contemporary American religious scholars

According to the United States, democracy and Christianity were principal elements of a successful society. During the end of the eighteen-hundreds and throughout the beginning of the nineteen-hundreds, America tried to colonize and reform less fortunate nations. Following a social-Darwinist point of view, Americans took their “God-given” superiority to those who were incapable of establishing their own self-government (Doc. H). After much debate, American foreign policy towards the Philippines and Cuba was that it is our duty to rule them until they could rule themselves. We pledged to save the indigenous people from their savage, bloody, and corrupt ways of life. President McKinley’s foreign policy towards the Philippines stated that “they would soon have anarchy and misrule…there was nothing left to do but take them all, educate the Filipinos, and uplift and civilize them” (Doc. A).

Since, “Religion's initial and primary thrust is conservative”(Pg. 17), as such, the Church today is open to racial reconciliation, but the initial thrust is conservative in nature, thus leading us to take a passive approach. Though admirable, it isn’t taking the necessary and progressive steps needed for a racial reconciliation within itself, let alone society at large, which is why Evangelicalism has fallen short of brining forth change towards this issue.

Tertullian’s question has stimulated many debates within one’s self, and within many groups. People have to “survey their own reactions” they have to find their own answer, and they have to find the “harmonious fusion” between the Gospel and the world as we know it (Massaro pg. 20).” Massaro says that “failure to distinguish between religious and political functions deprives society of the benefits of specialization in distinct spheres of activity (Massaro pg. 22).” This quote says that when individuals cannot find the common ground between religion and politics, many good things that both sides can accomplish are lost, and neither side wins. Massaro continues to discuss how a “theocratic approach misapplies religious zeal and idealism to the political world of realism and compromise (Massaro pg. 22).”

For example, President McKinley went down on his knees and prayed to the Almighty God for light and guidance on his actions regarding the Philippines, only to come to the conclusion that they could not leave Philippines to themselves; they were unfit for self-government. America felt that without their guidance, the Philippines would soon have anarchy and misrule. McKinley had no other choice but to take them all, and to educate the Filipinos, and uplift and civilize and Christianize them as our fellow men for whom Christ also died (Doc 4). The Philippines were in desperate need of America’s help. They were in need of the just, humane, civilizing government from America as opposed to the savage, bloody, rule of pillage and extortion from which America has rescued them (Doc 9). Without America’s help, the Philippines would be stuck with an anarchy. America provided civilization and education to colonies. Furthermore, America provided missionaries to colonies full of people described as half devil, half child. The people of these communities were immature with no religion; they needed help. Missionaries went forth to preach a kingdom beyond this world, spreading religion. As other countries needed America’s expertise, America went forth and provided civilization, religion, and education to better the

The folk panorama of America noticeably shifts and become less outlined by the “Anglo-Protestant culture” (Foreign Policy), than previous occurrences. It may be considered a warning instead of a danger to American’s identify, if we tend to change modern day back to historical traditions. Conversely, American culture needs to be clarified on what it is. The approach that fundamentalists and non-traditionalists comparable to Samuel Huntington, manage to theorize culture as stable, instead of alteration. Due to this response, everyone should observe and state that American culture and identify will always continue to change, especially with the migration of countries.

Though America was established with honorable and heroic intentions, unforgivable historical events such as the American Genocide Trail of Tears have effectively portrayed America’s incapability to follow John Winthrop’s A Model of Christian Charity.

In his second essay, titled “Rethinking Power” describes this “Constantinian error” and the different ways that Christians try to create change in culture. He focuses on three major Christian culture-changing movements of our day: the Christian right, the Christian left, and the Neo-Anabaptists. All of these movements lack an

The key question the author is addressing is What is truly our role as christians in society and what outlook should we have when dealing with politics?. Do we put our loyalties into

American foreign policy since the countries foundation has been based off the white paternalistic perception that the United States is the most righteous, without sin country in existence. This ethnocentrism has developed biased justifications for

The concepts of “being in the world,” “American being,” and “Asia being,” from different countries was all connected to each other and having some relation to each other. At that time Europe, one of the strongest, had concerned about Africa and Asia, however, America was not there. Nevertheless, the O’ Gorman had mentioned that America in early time had deeply influenced by the western culture and the church history. The original American had seen a mere material being, devoid of feeling, of history and of humanity. While developing the culture, one of the most important elements was the evangelization and the

I believe that McClay and Zinn provide a persuasive argument elaborating their notion of the validity of America’s “unique” mission. However, I am inclined to agree with Professor McClay in his assertion in the mythical nature of American exceptionalism that has promoted social cohesiveness and propelled America as the “beacon of liberty and democracy” (McKenna & Feingold 2011, 14). The existence of present-day America developed after a period of empirical practices that allowed us to incorporate the positive qualities of democracy and make note of the negative aspects of wrongfully enforcing democratic ideals internationally (McKenna & Feingold 2011). Since our inception, the “invisible hand” of “divine providence” has directed America to propagate freedom and democracy to all peoples of the world (McKenna & Feingold 2011, 2-3). The majority of American Presidents

Leaders hope to collect public support by describing ultranationalist actions in terms of high moral purposes in their nation’s interest- promising to bring, justice, democracy, peace, economic prosperity and civilization to the affected region. Though when the greed to meet these goals crosses the lines of altruistic morality, where ultranationalist sentiments evidently overlook basic humanitarian limits leading to

The responsibility of Christians in regards to geopolitics and the mandates of the Gospel is one of humility and leadership; humility in the sense of servanthood to the Lord, and leadership in being beacons of light for those around us. This responsibility falls on the Christian because of our relationship with Christ. It is a unique relationship, one that places us in a special context with those around us.