Poverty and ecclesiology Book

Started out nodding violently and quoting bits to my husband. Ended by wondering if this author had an issue with orthodox Christianity. The American success story of the 1800’s was not an “accident”
of history, any more than turn-of-the-century evangelicals’ escape into gloom as a reaction against pinpricked overconfidence was a good trend.

It’s good to examine the past for clues to the present. It’s bad to pretend that you don’t have to take a side. I think the weakness of this book is that despite a great number of legitimate insights into human nature (I.e. hunger to create a position of power when God has promised suffering instead), the author doesn’t see God working all things according to the counsel of His will, for His glory. His movements may look like weakness, but He will be proven right in the end. And no amount of plausible social justice theory will overcome His means of dealing with His people first and then turning His gaze on His enemies.

Mr. Frank offers the impression that America would be more godly if only the evangelicals weren’t so prideful. I think that’s well beyond a lack of understanding of man’s depravity.