The Subversion of Christianity

by Jacques Ellul, Geoffrey W Bromiley (Translator), David W Gill (Foreword by)

Overview

Pointing to the many contradictions between the Bible and the practice of the church, Jacques Ellul asserts in this provocative and stimulating book that what we today call Christianity is actually far removed from the revelation of God. Successive generations have reinterpreted Scripture and modeled it after their own cultures, thus moving society further from the truth of the original gospel. The church also perverted the gospel message, for instead of simply doing away with pagan practice and belief, it reconstituted the sacred, set up its own religious forms, and thus resacralized the world. Ellul develops several areas in which this perversion is most obvious, including the church's emphasis on moralism and its teaching in the political sphere. The heart of the problem, he says, is that we have not accepted the fact that Christianity is a scandal; we attempt to make it acceptable and easy--and thus pervert its true message. Ultimately, however, Ellul remains hopeful. For, in spite of all that has been done to subvert the message of God, the Holy Spirit continues to move in the world. ""Christianity,"" writes Ellul, ""never carries the day decisively against Christ.""

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781606089743
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	06/02/2011
Series:	Jacques Ellul Legacy
Pages:	216
Sales rank:	675,168
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Jacques Ellul (1912-1994), a French sociologist and lay theologian, was Professor Emeritus of Law and of the History and Sociology of Institutions at the University of Bordeaux. He wrote more than forty books, including 'The Technological Society', 'The Humiliation of the Word', and 'Technological Bluff'.

Table of Contents

Chapter I.	The Contradictions	3
Chapter II.	The Chief Forms	19
Chapter III.	Desacralization and Sacralization	52
Chapter IV.	Moralism	69
Chapter V.	The Influence of Islam	95
Chapter VI.	Political Perversion	113
Chapter VII.	Nihilism and Christianity	137
Chapter VIII.	The Heart of the Problem	154
Chapter IX.	Dominions and Powers	174
Chapter X.	Eppur si muove!	191

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Jacques Ellul's fortieth book is certain to be regarded as one of his most important and provocative works—and this from an author who specializes in provocation of both the world and the church!
"The Subversion of Christianity provides a sober, challenging examination of many misguided appropriations of the world into the Church. It stands as a formidable contribution to our contemporary quest for ways of thought and life that are faithful to Jesus Christ...."
—David W. Gill in Fides et Historia
(from a review of the French edition)

Editorial Reviews

Jacques Ellul's fortieth book is certain to be regarded as one of his most important and provocative works--and this from an author who specializes in provocation of both the world and the church!
The Subversion of Christianity provides a sober, challenging examination of many misguided appropriations of the world into the Church. It stands as a formidable contribution to our contemporary quest for ways of thought and life that are faithful to Jesus Christ....
--David W. Gill in Fides et Historia
(from a review of the French edition)

From the Publisher