When Politics Becomes Heresy: The Idol of Power and the Gospel of Christ

Praise for When Politics Becomes Heresy

Most Americans assume that the political right and left are total opposites. In contrast, Tim Perry calls them out as all too similar, both claiming ultimate allegiance from their devotees and willing to sacrifice their opponents. With insight and passion, Perry calls evangelicals to repent of their political idolatries and be true to Christ. This book is a must-read for all evangelical pastors and scholars.

—Mark Mattes, theology and philosophy department chair, Lutheran Bible Institute, Grand View University, Des Moines, Iowa

History repeats itself. Tim Perry diagnoses the echoes of ancient heresies in the predominant forms of cultural and political engagement in contemporary American evangelicalism. The great virtue in his analysis is that he studiously avoids the pharisaical sanctimoniousness that too often characterizes critiques of evangelicals. Rather, Perry knows that this physician must also be healed himself, and he speaks to his beloved fellow believers from a place of humility and solidarity. And he offers clear prescriptions for each error. Therefore, though the diseases identified are severe, we are not left without hope.

—James R. Wood, assistant professor of religion and theology, Redeemer University, Ancaster, Ontario; teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America; co-host of The Civitas Podcast, produced by the Theopolis Institute