Review: The Sword of the Lord: The Roots of Fundamentalism in an American Family

by Apr 15, 2013Books, ChurchLife

The Sword of the Lord: The Roots of Fundamentalism in an American FamilyThe Sword of the Lord: The Roots of Fundamentalism in an American Family by Andrew Himes

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was enjoyable and interesting (worth every bit of 99 cents!), though a little strange. The parts I most enjoyed were biographical, especially the personal insights from Andrew’s childhood. I also enjoyed his historical forays (though he did a lot of guessing about what his forebears must have been thinking). But there was a great deal of history that didn’t seem to belong. I liked the extended bits of history (especially the part about Missouri slave-owners moving en masse to Texas) and found it profitable, but I kept feeling that it fit better in a different book.

Ah, well. Himes did his homework and provides a helpful insider/outsider perspective on fundamentalist history, focusing particularly on his grandfather, John R. Rice.

Himes was also evenhanded enough that he kept me wondering for a good while whether or not the story would end with his return to Christian faith. But that while ended, I’m afraid, as the mild sneers added up. He was never overtly nasty, but he still took unnecessary swipes at various Christian doctrines.

He did, however, have genuine praise for his grandfather despite their deep disagreements. And praise for his bright and beautiful aunts, Rice’s daughters. He seemed to respect his fundamentalist family for their integrity and zeal even though he disagrees with their views.

This is demonstrated in the coda to his book:

In the spirit of appreciative inquiry, here is what I have learned from my post-fundamentalist family: Honor truth. Love well. Live your faith.

This wan little homily illustrates, however, why I’m sticking with a Christian faith that has some backbone. Even if I’m sometimes embarrassed (or mortified, or incensed) by the doctrinal and personal eccentricities of some of the 20th century fundamentalists Himes canvasses in his book (especially J. Frank Norris), every one of them would see through such an empty moralistic call. What is true? Love for what? Faith in what?

If the fundamentalism in Himes’ book has significant problems (and it does), at least it knows that humans should let God answer those questions, and we should stick by those answers.

View all my reviews

Read MoreĀ 

Review: Why I Preach from the Received Text

Review: Why I Preach from the Received Text

Why I Preach from the Received Text is an anthology of personal testimonies more than it is a collection of careful arguments. It is not intended to be academic, and I see nothing necessarily wrong with that. But it does make countless properly academic claims, and...

A Little Help for Your Charitableness from Kevin DeYoung

A Little Help for Your Charitableness from Kevin DeYoung

There are few figures on the national evangelical scene that I like and trust more than Kevin DeYoung. I think he nails the balance between, on the one hand, graciousness and fairness and charity and, on the other (can anything be on the other hand from...

Review: The Power Broker, by Robert Caro

Review: The Power Broker, by Robert Caro

The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York by Robert A. Caro My rating: 5 of 5 stars Robert Caro is fascinated by power. He has given his life to exploring how it is gained and kept. And in Robert Moses, the subject of this epic book, power looks like the...

Review: Finding the Right Hills to Die On by Gavin Ortlund

Review: Finding the Right Hills to Die On by Gavin Ortlund

Finding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage by Gavin Ortlund My rating: 4 of 5 stars Gracious, clear, accessible. Extremely well done. I nearly docked him a star for being ever-so-slightly in a different place than I am on creationism (though I...

Leave a comment.

0 Comments