As someone in our Sunday school commented, Peter Leithart is a little too clever in this book, starting with the title. This is definitely a pro-Christ(ian) book.

His argument is that by the Church's allowing its set of beliefs in Jesus Christ to be called "Christianity", it has effectively accepted being identified as just one more religion, rather than as God's kingdom (or city/community) on Earth.

In other words, by its being cast as a religion rather than as an alternative community, the Church is effectively neutralized in its message and impact to the surrounding society.

Leithart's basic argument is sound, as long as one views it primarily as aimed at the Church's sense of community and ministry, rather than as some sort of call to arms for political action.

I'd give the book a higher rating except for the title and his over-playing his argument. I mean, come on, somebody's going to come up with a name for the largest faith on Earth, whether it's really a "religion" or not! ( )

Some books are food for thought. This one is a buffet. And not one at the Chinese buffet down the road. It's one at the imperial court. Of Christ the Lord. I will likely need to read this about two more times. Available @ Google Books - Full View:http://books.google.com/books?id=F54VD0XoqJIC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=&f=false ( )

Some books are food for thought. This one is a buffet. And not one at the Chinese buffet down the road. It's one at the imperial court. Of Christ the Lord. I will likely need to read this about two more times. Available @ Google Books - Full View:http://books.google.com/books?id=F54VD0XoqJIC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=&f=false ( )