With Bible in One Hand and Newspaper in the Other: The Bible in the Public Square

The famous theologian Karl Barth is known for his admonition that Christians should evaluate major news events in the light of the Bible rather than vice versa. This book reviews attempts at implementing Barths principle in more than a hundred responses to newspaper editorial opinions over a decades-spanning period. In this exercise five major theological themes frame the moral engagement of ten newsworthy subject categories. The analysis demonstrates how a biblically-based moral framing can define a center-left politically partisan stance as a guide or challenge to civil public dialogue. A weakness of this venue is that space limitations of newspaper editorial pages allow little potential for achieving what Barth probably had in mind for an effective Christian witness. A different venue is therefore needed. Numerous barriers inhibit such dialogue within Christian congregations including the stagnating polarization in US politics that has a parallel in most religious traditions. One can hope that the major role for a biblical witness to American culture has not become limited to that partial calling of the Old Testament prophets: warning of the negative historical judgments that risk coming to any society that fails to adequately attempt living out a reverential fear of God. Dr. Peterson analyzes major issues of the day in light of the Bible and popular culture maintaining that the church has failed to deal with those issues with its own biblical and theological resources. He draws on those resources to renew a vital witness. The book is especially interesting for its use of actual newspaper accounts and opinion pieces rather than vague generalities and they are dealt with in a respectful informed and concise manner. It is a book for clergy and laity alike and a good fit for study groups in congregations and other settings. --Arland J. Hultgren Professor Emeritus of New Testament Luther Seminary St. Paul Minnesota Charles Peterson lives a faith that embraces Christ at the center of life. For him all of life and relationship is open to helpful and healthy conversation in the face of todays paralyzing polarization. Christ is at the center of his passion to address the difficult issues of our time from a faith perspective. . . . This book is an inspiration as we live a dynamic faith in workplace home community and church. --Glenn Taibl Pastor Stewardship Ministries Charles Petersons book is an excellent addition to the always necessary task of relating Christian faith and life to the present and often tumultuous times. --W. Robert Sorensen Retired Executive Director for Higher Education. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Charles R. Peterson is a retired internist-cardiologist who practiced thirty-six years in suburban Minneapolis Minnesota. He is a graduate of St. Olaf College and the University of Minnesota Medical School and served two years in the US Army Medical Corps at the height of the Vietnam war. His life-long interest in biblical theology found a unique retirement expression in newspaper editorial experiences.