Adventism and the American Republic: The Public Involvement of a Major Apocalyptic Movement

Rating:
Summary: An American Tale - God and Country
Review: "Faith-based organizations?" The odd term had not yet entered the media lexicon. American politicians had only seen a glimmer of the power offered by open alliances with conservative religious groups. But, in this adventurous probe of the odd-couple pairing of Seventh-day Adventism, a quintessentially American institution, and the Republican party, Dr. Morgan opens a clear panoramic view of one church's struggle with these reformation-esque issues.

Separation of Church and State? Money to do "good" things? Where do well-meaning people draw the lines? How do they decide? What goes on behind closed doors - in the cloistered halls of power on Capitol Hill and in the hushed offices of ecclesiastical politics?

Doug Morgan's "Adventism and the American Republic" is a scrupulously documented look at one church's awkward lurching toward civic engagement. The view ranges from sweet to painful and back again. But Doug's description carries the reader through the arc with a sense of being there -- in the rooms, reading the letters and watching the frustrating twists, embarrassing turns, and occasional successes in this theological/political pretzel.

If you've every wondered what "Faith Based" means for the future of American social or religious institutions, this book is a must read. If you don't care about church and state, but like a curious American tale, it's even better.

Somebody should make the movie!

Rating:
Summary: Fending off the "time of trouble"
Review: "Faith-based organizations?" The odd term had not yet entered the media lexicon. American politicians had only seen a glimmer of the power offered by open alliances with conservative religious groups. But, in this adventurous probe of the odd-couple pairing of Seventh-day Adventism, a quintessentially American institution, and the Republican party, Dr. Morgan opens a clear panoramic view of one church's struggle with these reformation-esque issues.

Separation of Church and State? Money to do "good" things? Where do well-meaning people draw the lines? How do they decide? What goes on behind closed doors - in the cloistered halls of power on Capitol Hill and in the hushed offices of ecclesiastical politics?

Doug Morgan's "Adventism and the American Republic" is a scrupulously documented look at one church's awkward lurching toward civic engagement. The view ranges from sweet to painful and back again. But Doug's description carries the reader through the arc with a sense of being there -- in the rooms, reading the letters and watching the frustrating twists, embarrassing turns, and occasional successes in this theological/political pretzel.

If you've every wondered what "Faith Based" means for the future of American social or religious institutions, this book is a must read. If you don't care about church and state, but like a curious American tale, it's even better.

Somebody should make the movie!

Rating:
Summary: Fending off the "time of trouble"
Review: As a former Seventh-day Adventist and current "card-carrying member of the ACLU" I have long pondered many of the themes dealt with by this very interesting book. I think Morgan and Marty deal with the subject-matter in a very unique and fairly non-offensive way and get quite a bit about Adventism right, although there are some errors. You guys know Adventist is pronounced with an emphasis on the first syllable and not the second, right? As in AD-vent-ist, not Ad-VENT-ist.

I think some of the more educated, liberal, and objective Adventists I know (especially ones secure in their faith) would enjoy this book. People interested in the intersection of religion and politics in general would definitely find it an easy, entertaining read.

I plan on passing it on.