Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, The

Book Description

Journalist Tim Alberta embarks on a deeply personal investigation into the American evangelical movement, drawing from his unique perspective as both a practicing Christian and the son of an evangelical pastor. This comprehensive examination reveals how a faith tradition has become entangled with political fervor and nationalist ideology, often at the expense of its core spiritual teachings.

Alberta takes readers inside churches across America, from intimate sanctuaries to packed convention centers, documenting conversations with televangelists, small-town ministers, celebrity preachers, and ordinary congregants. Through these encounters, he traces how conservative Christianity's love of country has evolved into something far more complex and troubling, where political allegiance sometimes overshadows religious devotion.

The author explores how recent cultural and political upheavals have accelerated long-brewing tensions within evangelical communities. He examines the growing disconnect between traditional Christian teachings about love, forgiveness, and humility, and the increasingly combative rhetoric emerging from some corners of the movement. Alberta investigates how the pursuit of earthly power and influence has shaped modern evangelical culture, often leading believers away from the spiritual principles they claim to uphold.

This candid portrait challenges readers to consider fundamental questions about faith, power, and purpose in contemporary America. Alberta's reporting reveals a movement grappling with internal fractures, diminished public trust, and questions about its spiritual authenticity. For anyone seeking to understand the complex relationship between faith and politics in modern America, this book offers essential insights into one of the nation's most influential religious communities.