Reviews
Hunter's account of faithful presence as a way to repair American Christianity is insightful and helpful., "How should Christians act in the world? The dominant answer in America today seems to be: through politics. But the major model of Christian political action, visible most obviously but not exclusively in the Christian Right, has been a politics fuelled by resentment and a sense of victimization, actuated by a strong will to power, and a propensity to demonize its opponents. This politics is a capitulation to the worst elements of the contemporary culture it claims to be redeeming. Hunter offers an acute end penetrating analysis of this paradoxical and distressing phenomenon, and carefully charts an alternative course for contemporary Christians, a form of ''faithful presence'' within culture and society. The book is brimful of insightful challenges to our conventional understanding of things, and of inspiring suggestions for a new departure." -- Charles Taylor, author ofA Secular Age "For anyone interested in American Christianity, whether believer or observer, this is an extraordinarily important and valuable book. Hunter''s analysis of culture and the capacity of Christians to influence it (or not) is the most sophisticated and subtle I have ever seen, explaining why most treatments of the subject are gravely inadequate. His treatment of religion and power in the American context is similarly illuminating. Finally his theology of faithful presence offers a promising alternative to most of the approaches on offer today whether from liberals or conservatives. The encounter of social science and theology has often been vapid; Hunter shows how vibrant it can be." -- Robert Bellah, co-author ofHabits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life "No writer or thinker has taught me as much as James Hunter has about this all-important and complex subject of how culture is changed." --Tim Keller, author ofCounterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters "Hunter''s corrective argument for authentic Christian engagement with the world is refreshing, persuasive, and inspiring." --Publishers Weekly "Insightful, creative, refreshing, challenging, realistic, and calm but hard-hitting, To Change the World offers a sharp critical and constructive vision for American Christianity that simply must be engaged by all sides. Hunter gives us big-picture, alternative thinking at its bets. His deft interrogation of the Christian political left, right, and center in America nails it, just as his constructive, alternative vision rings true in its promise. A rare achievement and a must-read for people of faith in these times." -- Christian Smith, author ofSoul SearchingandSouls in Transition "Hunter is a thoughtful man, measured in his comments and fair minded in his analysis."--Peter Wehner,Politics Daily "It is groundbreaking, it is comprehensive, and it is visionary. Above all, it is wise, both sociologically and theologically. No Christian entrusted with institutional leadership or cultural power should miss the chance to read it. It will be provoking better Christian conversations about culture for years to come, and may well help our secular neighbors understand what Christians really are, or should be, aiming for-even when we use slogans like ''to change the world.'' Bravo."--Andy Crouch,Books and Culture "James Davison Hunter''s latest work, To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World is a fascinating study of cultural transformation."--Jim Denison,Associated Baptist Press "The year''s most widely discussed Christian book." --David Skeel,The Wall Street Journal "Hunter addresses important and relevant issues that all Christians in the U.S. need to consider. His ideas and analyses are frequently insightful and helpful, and his style is provocative and engaging."--Christian Century "Brilliant."--John A. Coleman,America, an excellent piece of social commentary ... it provides an informed social critique of Christianity in the US that is often surprising and always worth reading for its own sake.
