Against Christianity

Against Christianity

by Peter J. Leithart
Publisher: Canon Press
Trade Paperback, 154 pages
Price: $15.00

Against Christianity; for the church.

How could a conservative Christian—an ordained minister, no less—be against not only Christianity, but theology, sacraments, and ethics as well? Yet that is the stance Peter Leithart takes in this provocative "theological bricolage."

Seeking to rethink evangelical notions of culture, church, and state, with a series of short essays, aphorisms, and parables, Leithart challenges the current dichotomies that govern both Christian and non-Christian thinking about church and state, the secular and the religious.

But his argument isn't limited to being merely "against." Leithart reveals a much larger vision of Christian society, defined by the stories, symbols, rituals, and rules of a renewed community—the city of God.

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  Eye Opening As Well As Foundational
Miss Pickwickian of Oregon, 3/23/2011
Leithart rejects anything we name with the name of Christ that is not a complete remaking of the world. A spiritual feeling of Christianity that adopts the world's vocabulary, marketing, values, etc. is the Christian’s enemy.

Christianity separates the spiritual and the physical.
The Church, by definition, cannot.
The Church is the new city, not ideas that sit under or even alongside the existing culture.

Against Christianity is divided in five sections: Against Christianity, Against Theology, Against Sacraments, Against Ethics, and For Constantine. Each section is divided into bite-sized, numbered ideas (similar to “Deep Comedy”).

Compared with other Leithart books I've read, I did have to slow down a bit with this one, but it was well worth it.

Besides its own thrust it is an excellent read if you are exposed to other books or lectures by Peter Leithart. It helped me understand his terminology better and just where he's coming from in general.
I feel like it should be required reading. It is certainly worth reading again…and again.

Like several of Leithart’s other books, "Against Christianity" leaves you with a clear mission and beautiful portrayal of our living Hope.

We are followers of Christ. That is our mission and we should pursue it unapologetically in every aspect of life.