Like most authors, I always appreciate receiving feedback from my readers. I am especially grateful whenever I hear a story about how my work has stirred positive transformation and been encouraging to someone, especially when that someone is trying to follow Jesus faithfully.
Below I have copied a very kind note I recently received from a minister who has read my newest book, I Pledge Allegiance: A Believer’s Guide to Kingdom Citizenship in 21st Century America (Eerdmans, 2018).
Thank you, pastor, for taking the time to be an encouragement to me:
“At the recommendation of [a] long-time friend and former parishioner… I just finished reading….for the second time…your book, “I Pledge Allegiance”. All I can say, David, is THANK YOU!!! You’ve helped me find some renewed sense of
balance in what it means to live in this country at this time as a follower of Jesus. Having just recently retired from parish ministry… I’m aware of how often I waffled, especially in my preaching. There are times when I experience guilt and wish I could begin again to deal in a better way with the influences of congregants. And then there are those times when I’m grateful that I made it through without getting kicked out. The events of this past week put me into an even deeper depression. However, your insights and reminders have helped me immensely. Again, thank you!! And, please, keep writing. David”
In response to this man’s last sentence, let me say that I am trying to continue my writing. But I am facing a few obstacles. I mention this because, if you are a praying person, I could use your prayers about my next (possible) writing project.
I want to write a book about both(1) the theological problems of Christian Zionism and (2) the human suffering entangled with American evangelicalism’s blind support for the nation of Israel. The book will be half Biblical theology and half real-life stories.
The theology sections will explain the serious errors of “Christian Zionism” (i.e. those who believe that modern Israel is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in need of the church’s, and America’s, wholehearted support).
The real life stories will describe graphic instances of Palestinian suffering and abuse that I have witnessed first-hand during my visits to the West Bank area (captured by the Israeli army during the 1967 war and kept under military occupation ever since).
My proposal for this book has now passed over a number of publisher’s desks. One publisher said (I am paraphrasing), “Dave, we think this would be a good book, but your previous books haven’t been great sellers for us. We don’t think we’d make much money from this one, either.”
Four other well-known publishing houses have all said something similar, “David, we like and agree with your proposal. We think this would me a good book, but we can’t figure out how we would sell it. Sorry. Good luck.”
Needless to say, I am a bit frustrated and disappointed. So, I would very much appreciate your prayers as I try to figure out where next to send the proposal. I firmly believe this book needs to be written.
Otherwise, perhaps I am at the end of my writing career. I hope not, but who knows.
these two deities.
The Social Contract (1762), to the centrality of civil religion in the modern nation-state, he emphasized the civic dangers of Christianity. In fact, he believed – rightly, in my opinion – that the gospel of Jesus Christ, when embraced by true believers, posed the single greatest threat to the long-term survival of any modern nation-state. He even went so far as to insist that the Roman Catholic church (the only form of Christianity he knew) be outlawed if the nation-state hoped to survive.
loyalties.
We would shun idolatrous ceremonies demanding that we “pledge allegiance” to a flag.
“’This Is an Attempt to Intimidate Certain Voices’: Group Says Meetings Between Trump, Faith Leaders a Violation of Law”
Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. app. 2. It is clear that the President’s Evangelical Advisory Board is doing substantive work with the Trump Administration behind closed doors—without any sunlight for the public to understand how and why decisions are being made. We respectfully request that the Advisory Board cease meeting and providing advice to the President unless and until it fully complies with FACA, and that you produce to us certain documents relating to the Advisory Board.
expand. He was a rabid hawk who seemed incapable of feeling anything like empathy for the untold masses of people killed, maimed and displaced by American military adventurism around the world.
deep conscience. But that won’t surprise anyone who has read his books.
specifically, they contain stories about the ways various churches are dealing with concealed carry laws in their states and whether they allow guns in church. (You can read my previous posts about gun control and guns in church 
conference room. At the end of his anti-Muslim rant, the visiting pastor/speaker boasted about the fact that he and all his church elders carried their guns to every church activity, both inside and out of the church building, in order “to protect their flock.”
protect themselves and their families if an armed intruder enters the church. But with the new [concealed carry] law in place, who will know if the person is an armed intruder or an armed visitor?…All visitors are now scrutinized, with every visitor being a potential threat. At the same time, to demonstrate their enthusiasm for the new law, some churches are posting signs that say — as an act of outreach — ‘Guns Welcome Here.’
including Christian people, naturally hang out with others like themselves. If you are familiar with church-growth literature, you will recognize this as a simple application of the “homogeneous principle.”
very different from our own. I am not a bit surprised to see over-sized pick-up trucks rolling down the street sporting bumper stickers proclaiming “God, Guns and Guts Made America Great! Let’s Keep It That Way” Montana voted overwhelmingly for Donald Trump, the candidate who often encouraged his supporters to 
post reflecting on a tweet from Tim Black, host of the YouTube program, 
