Famous Poet on Bravery

The following poem of James Russell Lowell may be applicable to the traditional church musician and those who support the great classic anthems and organ works of the historic Western church. At the same time, the poem has relevance for courage in general, though its bold tone should be tempered with a healthy dash of wisdom.


BRAVERY

We will speak on; we will be heard;
Though all earth's systems crack,
We will not bate a single word,
Nor take a letter back.

We speak the truth; and what care we
For hissing and for scorn
While some faint gleaming we can see
Of Freedom's coming morn!

Let liars fear; let cowards shrink;
Let traitors turn away;
Whatever we have dared to think,
That dare we also say.

Time Out for a Bit of History

Actually, I'm not going to tell the history. But I'm going to recommend you get a copy of American Theocracy by Kevin Phillips. In the section I am now reading, Phillips is detailing something of the history of Christians in America, a history I am already familiar with in outline. His telling of this history is useful in setting the stage for what I hope will be an explanation of the surging "Christian" vote. (I have seen fit to put "Christian" in quotes as I do not see the activities of many churches as being truly Christian.) Once again, I highly recommend this well-researched and enlightening book.

American Theocracy

While American religious tendencies toward parochialism and moral or political crusades mattered little in 1890, 1914, or even during the Cold War, they take on much greater importance now as Christian, Jewish, and Muslim holy lands occupy absolute center stage in world politics and as sites of military confrontation.

-- Kevin Phillips

Astute scholars of American religious life might have predicted that sooner or later I would take up the relatively new book by author Kevin Phillips entitled American Theocracy. This important work details the influence of oil interests and fundamentalist Christianity on America politics.

In the section on Christian religionists which I have just begun, Phillips advocates a removal of the prohibition against speaking of religion in social circles. Such a removal seems long overdue. However, in order to speak intelligently, one must read a book such as American Theocracy. I obviously, then, recommend this book highly. As I am still reading the work, I cannot offer a thorough review. However, what I have read makes me confident that we indeed have here a very valuable work of criticism regarding the American body politic at the turn of the 21st century and beyond.