These essays on social and economic matters are the result of many factors. First, in the late sixties, I did extensive reading in the area of economics and political matters. At that time I was active in the anti-war movement. Upon my conversion to Christianity, I continued my reading, especially in seminary and in graduate school. My Ph.D. was written on Karl Barth, who by his life and teaching was a great Christian witnesses to social and economic justice. Among other things, he was the leading theologian of the Confessing Church Movement, that branch of the church that resisted Hitler. Finally, I have spent several years living in Central America, and wrote my doctoral dissertation on poverty, understood theologically, socially, and economically. As a Christian, I have been active in political and social matters, although my involvement has not been as effective as I might have wished.
The Essays
An essay published in the local newspaper at the moment when the United States won the Gulf War and public euphoria was at its height.
A review of the autobiography of Jane Alpert, a young woman active in the student movement of the sixties. The essay shows why the student movement could not resolve certain fundamental problems due to a belief system lacking transcendence. At the same time, however, aspects of the student movement reflect an important word for the Church and world.
Jesus Christ is being crucified daily as the poor are exploited throughout the world.
Describes aspects of economics in light of the biblical revelation.
This essay, drawing on Normand Gottwald's important work, The Tribes of Yahweh, shows how the Hebrew idea of God was coordinated with their social and economic vision of a just society.
Describes how church and state differ, and draws some conclusions from the difference
Creation, Science, and the "New" World Order
Discusses the relevance of the two creation narratives of Genesis one and two for the new world order.
Shows that the arms race entails some spiritual dynamics, namely the idolatry of using the state as justification rather than seeking justification in Jesus Christ.
An essay showing the intimate connection between capitalism and paganism.
An essay showing that the conservative side of the culture war is only half the picture, and that the liberal/conservative conflict obscures the fullness of the biblical revelation and God's radical call to a new order in Jesus Christ.
Christ's Atonement and the Middle East Conflict
This essay relates Christ's atoning work on the cross to the conflict in Middle East. It rejects the position that contemporary events in the Middle East are the direct fulfillment of prophecy.
Discusses a profound American idolatry and how it manifested itself in the selling of the war in Iraq to the American Public.
This essay gives an example of soft paganism, the actual religion of much of the American public, especially the affluent.
In light of Francis Schaeffer's essay, "A Christian Manifesto," discusses where the United States may be headed.
This essay discusses the response of Pat Reobertson and Jerry Falwell to 9/11 as a window into America's syncretistic religion.
This essay describes the three economies presented in Scripture, the rule of Mammon in both church and state, and offers some ideas on how to offset that rule.
Resolution C040, Engle v. Vitale, and Romney/Graham
This essay describes how Resolution C040 (open table), Engle v. Vitale (prayer in school), and Romney/Graham (Meeting between Romney and Graham) are related, each reflecting a distortion of Christian Truth.
Briefly discusses several alternatives in regard to the relationship between Christian faith and politics.
Some Christian/articles/13/185 Proposals for Economic Policy
This essay briefly sets forth some proposals for economic policy.
The Gospel and the Middle East Conflict
Describes how the church betrays the gospel in her approach to the Middle East conflict.
This essay discusses how the church might fight the culture war. The primary claim is that, at the point in history, the church would do well to place more emphasis on reforming herself before she reforms society.
The Rev. Robert J. Sanders,
A Few Reflections on Preaching
Christ's Atonement and the Middle East Conflict
Fundamentalism and American Culture
Harry Potter and the Glamour of Power
How the Religious Right Betrays the Gospel and Endangers the Countr
Idolatry, the Killing Machine, and the Cross
Sexuality, Sociobiology, and Recapitulation
Some Christian Proposals for Economic Policy
The Gospel and the Middle East Conflict
The Recent Election, Spiritually Considered
