Book Review

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

by David Klinghoffer

Reviewed by Noel Rude: (June 29, 2008)

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 reference 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. (Available at www.Amazon.com)