the american patriot’s bible

I’ve been following an intriguing series of reviews of the recently released American Patriot’s Bible over at Out of Ur. Greg Boyd’s reviews (part one and part two) and the response today by the book’s editor, Richard G. Lee, have been particularly interesting in light of the comments from my question about preaching and Memorial Day. Here is a clear example of the different ways American Christians understand the relationship between church and state.

Given my hesitations about mentioning Memorial Day from the pulpit, you might imagine how I think about The American Patriot’s Bible. The description form the publisher, Thomas Nelson, only reinforces my bias.

THE ONE BIBLE THAT SHOWS HOW ‘A LIGHT FROM ABOVE’ SHAPED OUR NATION. Never has a version of the Bible targeted the spiritual needs of those who love our country more than The American Patriot’s Bible. This extremely unique Bible shows how the history of the United States connects the people and events of the Bible to our lives in a modern world. The story of the United States is wonderfully woven into the teachings of the Bible and includes a beautiful full-color family record section, memorable images from our nation’s history and hundreds of enlightening articles which complement the New King James Version Bible text. [For more of the book’s marketing, watch the publisher’s video.]

It is the type of synchretism of American patriotism and Christianity found in this book that makes celebrating Memorial Day complicated. There are plenty of Christians who will purchase this Bible and gladly accept its version of the American narrative. These same folks- my Christian family- will likely interpret the church’s celebration of the state’s holidays in ways that, while aligning with the American Patriot’s Bible, seem to distort aspects of our faith.

It remains a mystery to me how the Christian family contains those who will welcome this book as a great aide to our Faith while others of us see the same book as hindrance to our witness.

David Swanson

May 29, 2009

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American Patriot's Bible, Greg Boyd, out of ur

5 responses to “the american patriot’s bible”

Brian C

May 29, 2009 at 1:34 pm

OK – you’ve got me here. Saying something and praying on Memorial Day – yes. American Patriot’s Bible – NO!

I wonder though, will they expand the series at all? I mean the next volume could easily be the Canadian Patriot’s Bible (good for those conscientious objector types), and the next one could be the Mexican Patriot’s Bible so that the North American market is completely covered. But Hmmmm….what happens when American and Mexican Patriotism are at odds with each other? Wonder how those sticky wickets are handled?

Speaking of wickets, lets not forget our friends across the pond, surely they need a British Patriot’s Bible. But then again considering that much of early American Patriotism was over and against British Patriotism we may end up with some serious issues by volume 4 of the series.

And we still haven’t contemplated the French Patriot’s Bible, Russian Patriot’s Bible, Vietnamese Patriot’s Bible, Chinese Patriot’s Bible, or the … <> I think you catch my drift. Which one will we be reading in heaven, that’s all I want to know?

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Anthony G

May 29, 2009 at 2:31 pm

I’m at a loss as to what to say about this piece of literature (I don’t think I can bring myself to call it a Bible).

I read both the review and the response by the book’s editor. If it was actually what the editor said it was, I might be less upset. Our government does have a strong current of Christianity running through, so a discourse into which parts of the Bible influenced our leaders and parts of government would be interesting. But the reviewer gives a picture of Scripture being abused to show how America is the new Israel, a common component in modern Christian nationalism. As the reviewer said, a book on this topic would not be so problematic (though I would still disagree with it), but Scripture intermingled with this is beyond irresponsible. It is down-right heretical. One cannot read either Testament and come to the conclusion, “My country is the sole recipient of God’s mandate and blessing in the modern world.”

Unfortunately, I imagine that this book will sell extremely well and many will buy in to this view, though I pray that won’t be the case. If it does end up that way, the Church could be seriously harmed on two fronts. First, it will almost certainly be viewed negatively by non-Christians in America, and all peoples outside of our nation. A book look this will most likely be viewed as representative of most American Christians, which will lead to many people more easily dismissing “those backward Christians.” And any person from an ethnic heritage that includes exploitation by American Christians will certainly not like the implication that God wanted that to happen. Second, divisions in the Church could form. The statement from the publisher, “If you love the Bible and love American, you’ll love this Bible” is divisive by nature. Will members of churches that don’t loves this Bible feel out-casted by those that do, or vice versa? Will churches look down on other churches that aren’t American enough?

One can only hope that this will fade into obscurity and never be heard from again. But I wouldn’t bet on it.

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Leigh

May 29, 2009 at 9:01 pm

I love the Bible and I love America but this particular Bible makes me shudder. This could be an all-too dangerous tool in the wrong hands.

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Karen

May 30, 2009 at 10:56 am

Just the idea of this is chilling to me. Have evangelicals learned nothing about the dangers of blurring the lines between State and Church from Church history? Look at Rome in the Middle Ages. Look at Byzantium and Tsarist Russia (hitting closer to my Orthodox home). In our modern era, consider the spiritual climate in those countries which have a State Church. When State and Church become too closely aligned, as my favorite cyber spiritual father/pastor, Fr. Stephen, has observed, it has historically never been a good thing for the spiritual condition of the Church.

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Keith

May 31, 2009 at 7:25 pm

The purpose of Memorial Day is to honor (remember) those who served the country through their military service. It is not a day to honor America and its warring ways. Honoring those who served is a good thing to do, even from the pulpit. Soldiers are brave. Soldiers have exposed themselves to death to “protect” America. Saying so from the pulpit doesn’t mean you agree with any war. It doesn’t say war is God’s plan for America. It says you honor those who served.

The American Patriot’s Bible is ridiculous. The book strengthens the stereotypical concept that many foreigners have of America; self-centered and self-righteous. As I’ve said previously, individual Americans are not typically like this. But this book won’t assuage any of those stereotypes.

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