How Would God Vote?: Why the Bible Commands You to Be a Conservative

by David Klinghoffer

Book Overview

FromHow Would God Vote? "The Bible commands a style of politics that in the American context could only be described as deeply conservative. Is, then, the politics of God theocratic? "A strong case... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385515421
• ISBN13: 9780385515429
• Release Date: June 2008
• Publisher: Doubleday Books
• Length: 260 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Soothing ancient wisdom

The author has me assent to his bringing out biblical values characterizing today's conservatism in confrontation with liberalism. He does this from the standpoint of an orthodox Jew, but allows "what a timelessly useful book Scripture is, whether it is seen as divine revelation or simply as the treasured wisdom of mankind" (p.245). He sees (p.21) "liberalism as the political expression of materialism", of being "in the grip of nature", giving the examples of gays claiming "no choice about their sexual behavior", or women that they "can't be held responsible for...unwanted pregnancy" and subsequent abortion. These forces of materialism can be more broadly associated with the scourge of Darwinism, leading to the "dialectic materialism" of communism, and "Aryan supremacy" of Nazism. "Women's rights" and "gay rights" can be seen also as originating in more particular weaknesses of the human spirit. The civil rights movement concerning the equality of blacks was morally fully justified as an important advance in human justice. But as often happens when initially righteous action is carried to excesses, other groups cried "me too", with questionable justification. "Equality" was being applied in inappropriate areas, as when trying to obliterate the differences between men and women, by insisting they do the same work, or by not distinguishing between them in marriage. The book's author touches on these subjects and others, and I am in agreement with many of his viewpoints. There are some though I strongly depart from. He writes (pp.108-9) about "a demand for justice, even extending down through many generations" and, "According to biblical tradition, responsibility can be inherited". Biblical tradition or not, it is unfortunate that especially a Jew condone the same. Innocent Jews have been persecuted for ages for alleged responsibility for the crucifixion. Relatedly, the author writes (p.230) about "why traditional Jews looked with ill favor on the idea of starting up a Zionist state prior to the coming of the Messiah. That is because Jews have a job to do, serving as a 'kingdom of priests' (Exodus 19:6) to the world, a 'kingdom' without borders. Once that job is complete, then the time to return to our land will have come". It is difficult to see what that job may be, since Jews are not known to proselytize, and of course waiting for the Messiah is a deeply doctrinal matter, not the faith of many. Most of all, Jewish suffering under the Diaspora appears to make the need for a present homeland uncontestable. The author's finding of what are today held conservative views in the Scriptures is at any rate understandable. There may be protests that the bible can be interpreted in liberal ways, but those ways are justifiably viewed by the author as connected with atheist rejection of the spiritual.

This book is a masterpiece of scholarship

David Klinghoffer has created a masterpiece of scholarship. This book, no doubt, will inspire a strong negative response from people who are far away from God. This should not be surprising, because there is something in all of us that discerns the difference between what is in God's will and what isn't. As a result, David can expect the usual vitriol from the usual crowd who are having a tough time reconciling their choices and lifestyles with what they know would be God's best for them. What is especially helpful is David's discussions of historic Jewish commentaries and traditions which help Christians gain greater insights into the Old and New Testaments. Most Christians are not familiar with the Talmud, nor are they fluent in Hebrew. David's analysis is particularly helpful to those of us who have been grafted into the Jewish root stock. For example, David's explanations of the differences between personal morality and the morality of the state are extraordinary. This book is a rare find today. It has a place among the finest works of intellectual criticism. It is rare in a time when cynicism is the new intellectualism. I read this book slowly - not because it is difficult to read (it isn't) but because it explains so much. Thank you, David, for this gift of insight.

Excellent and Thought-Provoking; Highly Recommended for the Open-Minded Christian

This book gives away the answer to its question with the subtitle: "Why the Bible Commands You to Be a Conservative". Clearly, Klinghoffer is not ambivalent about the political prescriptions he derives from his biblical analysis. I was very excited to read this book, and I've been looking forward to it ever since I heard of it. This book is highly recommended for anyone who is interested in politics and cares about an honest analysis of what the Bible says. Klinghoffer's writing style is engaging and witty. His research is extensive and detailed. No matter how much you may think you know the Bible, you will learn something from this book. If you care about what the Bible has to teach us, if you believe in God or even just are open to the possibility that He exists and has revealed wisdom in His Word, then you must read this book. I have written a chapter-by-chapter review, which is too long to post here. Please see my profile for the link to this review, if you are interested.

An important read.

This book left me with a lot to think about. The author knows his stuff and makes very interesting points, some quite unexpected from a Christian perspective. The book gave me a different way to look at current events in this country, more from God's perspective based on what the Bible says God's perspective is. I truly enjoyed the book and recommend it to anyone who would like to have a better idea of what God thinks about current events.

Conservatives ignore this book at their peril!

This is an important book. It is well researched, easy to read, and most of all timely. It is not a book for the hard core left or liberals in general whose unifying principle is a rejection of biblical authority. It is timely because, however softly it has come upon us, we conservatives no longer feel free to make our points from Scripture. But why should this be so when for most of American history this is precisely how we have argued? Scripture is at the foundation of our society and culture--and of Western Civilization. Even atheists should appreciate this, for their freedom too issues not from a state atheism, which in the 20th century enslaved millions, but from our forefather's reading of Scripture. Klinghoffer has put his finger on the unstated pivot in the culture war--the Bible. The left speaks of "framing"--seemingly to frame its arguments so as to hide its atheism. Well, if we don't begin to frame our arguments from their true source we are going to lose. Klinghoffer also provides insight into scriptural understanding generally unfamiliar to Christians, yet as an Orthodox Jew he is sympathetic to Christians and backs up his reasoning from both Old and New Testaments. One can argue with his conclusions--that's not the point. The point is that we argue from Scripture. Of particular interest is Klinghoffer's refrerence to the biblical concepts of "purity" (tahor) and "impurity" (tame), the first pertaining to life, the exercise of free will, responsibility, creation, and the latter to the suppression or denial of these things. The political party and mindset which sees us all as victims of chance and necessity, and is thus hostile to concepts of guilt and moral obligation, has fallen under the spell of "tame". This is an area of biblical thought that Christians as well as Jews would do well to ponder. Klinghoffer also pinpoints the problem as idolatry, as on page 210: "Idolatry manifests itself in every age. Its essence lies in setting up moral authorities in competition with, or to the negation of, God. Today, aggressive secularism possesses all of the classic pagan hallmarks: relativism, nature worship, sexual corruption, and a willingness to sacrifice children for the cause." John Kwok (the reviewer above) has it wrong. Though Klinghoffer doesn't go into it in this book, evidence for the Darwin-Holocaust connection is overwhelming and documented by many reputable historians. Darwinism lies at the very heart of the culture war. One can take whatever side he will, but let's not deny the crux of the conflict. I highly recommend the book.