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A Handbook for Today's ConservativesWhat if "conservative" did not just mean emphases on
traditional morality, small government and lower taxes? What if conservative also meant doing the
right thing in compassion issues like Jesus did: healing the sick, feeding the hungry, appreciating
the "lilies" (God's creation), and freeing the oppressed?
What if believers were also enthusiastic for the furtherance of science and rigorous training
in rational debate? What if conservatives were not only patriots but also valuable contributors as
citizens of the world? The United States, indeed the entire world, is in a test as to whether we
can cooperate with others who are very different from ourselves. Whether we are conservatives or
liberals, believers or secularists, we tend to define ourselves by suspicion of the other side.
What if there was a way to increase our identity and our intensity for right by associating in
common causes with "the enemy"? In his book A New Kind of Conservative (Regal, January 2008),
pastor, author and conservative spokesman Dr. Joel C. Hunter provides a field manual for the next
generation of conservatives.
A New Kind of Conservative offers an intriguing alternative to the angry rhetoric associated
with the extreme religious right. While Dr. Hunter is uncompromising on issues such as abortion and
the redefinition of marriage, he urges conservatives to expand the agenda to include other biblical
concerns: poverty, social justice, AIDS and the environment.
Early in the book, Dr. Hunter discusses frankly his resignation as president-elect of the
Christian Coalition of America. He also addresses some tough questions about Christians and
politics including:
- Is America a Christian nation?
- What issues should Christians care about?
- Should pastors dictate to their congregations how they should vote?
- Is it possible to be a believing evangelical and vote democratic?
- Can a Christian vote for a Mormon, Muslim or atheist candidate?
Rather than endorsing any particular party or candidate, the book includes a voter's guide
that teaches readers how they can evaluate issues or candidates for themselves. Perhaps most
refreshing, A New Kind of Conservative devotes two chapters to the art of discussing politics,
without becoming disgusting. This book is a must-read for anyone willing to consider that
cooperation doesn't have to mean compromise.
What Others Are Saying About Dr. Joel C. Hunter...
The PBS program NOW recently interviewed John Green, senior fellow with the Pew Forum on
Religion and professor of political science at the University of Akron, about the "new generation"
of evangelicals.
According to Professor Green, the new generation of evangelical leaders is best symbolized by
two pastors: one is Rick Warren of Saddleback Community Church in California, who was the author of
The Purpose Driven Life, a best selling book about spiritual matters; and the other is Dr. Joel C.
Hunter, senior pastor of Northland Church and author of the just-released book A New Kind of
Conservative.
Mr. Green explained, "To them the word of God applies to all aspects of life and not just to
the conservative social issues, where, in fact, they are quite conservative. But they believe that
the church ought to be speaking out on things like AIDS in Africa and ought to be speaking out on
economic questions and ought to be urging Christians to be good stewards of the environment.
There's a stylistic difference. These are individuals who grew up in a world where evangelicals
were active in politics. They didn't have to be brought to that idea, but their idea of being a
good citizen and being active in politics is broader, and it's less confrontational and more
cooperative.
"These are gentlemen that would like to see evangelicals cooperating not just with each
other, but with other religious communities and even with people who don't necessarily share their
faith in order to achieve certain goals through the political process. So this generation has a
different style and a different set of priorities and a much broader agenda than the leaders that
preceded them."'
READ THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW WITH MR. GREEN
HERE.
NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ON
AMAZON.COM!
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