A brand new documentary that claims to be a movie in opposition to Christian nationalism is a success with all Christian conservatives, say two Christian writers who’ve seen it.
God and earth (PG-13), launched this month, “takes a better take a look at the harmful penalties” of Christian nationalism and “explores how the Christian base has radically fueled a motion that erases the road between church and state,” its web site advertises. Rob Reiner is the producer.
Andrew T. Walker, editor-in-chief of World Opinions journal and affiliate professor of Christian ethics at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, says the movie missed its mark. His story known as it a “success”.
“It's a biased vilification of conservative Christians that quantities to little greater than an train in stoking progressive anger,” Walker wrote in a brand new column on World Opinions. “It's true that the documentary took some good jabs at its critics. Did it rightly trigger numerous cringing and horrible theology that was completed in protection of Trump? Sure. Sure constituencies of conservative evangelicalism deserve sharp criticism for condescendingly excusing or defending Donald Trump's quite a few failings. However one needn’t be a theological or political liberal to criticize.”
The movie, Walker mentioned, smears social conservatives.
“Are you in opposition to abortion? If that’s the case, it's an indication of Christian nationalism,” Walker wrote, alluding to the movie's theme. “Are you in opposition to LGBTQ ideology? If that’s the case, it’s a signal of Christian nationalism. Are you in opposition to important race idea? If that’s the case, it’s a signal of Christian nationalism… You’ll be taught that from the movie.”
The movie “ended with a widespread dialogue of abortion,” Walker wrote.
“In fact it additionally ended up referring to the 'least of them' in Matthew 25, however apparently no matter whether or not the unborn qualify as 'the least of them.' The documentary is as intellectually critical as this argument.
Jon Brown of The Christian Submit mentioned the movie was “partisan propaganda that deceptively associates so-called Christian nationalism with positions held by a big proportion of conservative Christians”.
“By splicing collectively disjointed, out-of-context clips that juxtapose John MacArthur and Billy Graham with apparent charlatans and screaming fringe preachers, the filmmakers reveal both their profound ignorance or their cynical want to assign the widest attainable label of pejorative Christian nationalism. Brown wrote.
“The apparent takeaway is that for a lot of on the left, Christian nationalism is just any type of Christianity that seeks political illustration with out first bowing to their progressive orthodoxy,” Brown concluded. “Many factions are vying for his or her place within the harsh public area, however conservative Christians appear to be the one ones anticipated to surrender the battle, even inside their very own ranks.”
Picture credit score: God and Earth; used with permission.
Michael Foust has lined the intersection of religion and information for 20 years. His tales have appeared within the Baptist Press, Christianity Right this moment, Christian PoHoly, and Leaf chronicle, and Toronto Star and and Knoxville Information-Sentinel.
