INTERVIEW: John Fugelsang Talks To Keith Giles

LISTEN: Sirius XM Radio Host John Fugelsang interviews Keith Giles about his new book "Jesus Untangled: Crucifying Our Politics To Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb".

Recorded live on Tuesday, Oct. 10th, 2017 on "Tell Me Everything".

Used by permission.

PODCAST INTERVIEW: Preston Sprinkle Talks To Keith Giles

Today in the basement Preston Sprinkle is talking to Keith Giles. Most recently, Keith is the author of Jesus Untangled: Crucifying Our Politics to Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb.

The book dives into the relationship of Christianity and politics and even suggests that "the greatest threat to Christianity is American Christianity".

Keith is also a part of a house church that gives away 100% of all offerings to the poor in their community. 

You can follow Keith on twitter @keithgiles

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN>

PODCAST: Libertarian Christian Podcast Interview Keith Giles

In this week’s episode of the Libertarian Christian Podcast, we are joined by author Keith Giles, whose new book Jesus Untangled is making waves with its thesis that the Church must separate itself from the state.

Doug and Nick discuss with Giles how he reached his conclusions and his insights on contemporary Christian political thought, as well as explore what he thinks of libertarianism and how his thesis lines up with LCI’s.

This was a fantastic interview, and if you’re looking for a clear, readable resource which plainly explains to the everyday Christian why the Church allying with the state is both unwise and unholy, then Giles’ Jesus Untangled is a great choice. Hopefully it will help many more Christians untangle from the web before the statist spider injects its venom and then charges them for the government-monopolized cure.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN>

DISPENSATIONALISM REFUTED [Part 4] - "What's At Stake?"

In this video, Keith stops to respond to a few comments and questions and to address the question: "What's the big deal about Dispensationalism?" 

Take a few minutes and watch as Keith explains the dangers of Darby's teachings about the promises of Israel being unfulfilled and a futurist view of prophecy.

Click image above or watch at Keith's YouTube channel here>

PODCAST INTERVIEW: Zao Church Talks To Keith Giles about "Jesus Untangled"

Joe and I had the pleasure of interviewing church planter and author Keith Giles. He wrote a book called Jesus Untangled: Crucifying Our Politics to Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb.

It was a great conversation and hopefully it will spark a paradigm shift when thinking about our place, as Jesus followers, in The Kingdom and politics.LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW HERE>

5 MINUTE VIDEO: Why Is The American Church Irrelevant?

In a recent Barna Survey it was noted:

"We live in an increasingly American culture. In this new age, religion is in retreat from the public square, and the role of traditional institutions, like the Church, are no longer functioning with the cultural authority they once held in generations past. Today, nearly half of America is unchurched."

Why is this true?

Take 5 minutes and listen as author Keith Giles explains why the American Church has lost relevance in the culture and how to get it back.

**From Barna Research about those who "Love Jesus, But Not The Church" 

5 MINUTE VIDEO: Faith and Politics - Two New Surveys

Take [about] 5 Minutes and watch as Keith shares two very recent survey results dealing with faith and politics in America.

The first, A Pew Research Report is found here:

"Most Americans Oppose Churches Taking Sides In Elections"

The second is from Barna Research about those who "Love Jesus, But Not The Church"

What do you think about these reports? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

5 MINUTE VIDEO: Why Nationalism Is Dangerous

Why can't Christians practice their faith and remain loyal to politics and nationalism? What's the big deal?

Take 5 minutes and listen as author Keith Giles explains why Nationalism and Christianity do not mix.

One reason is the "Nones and Dones" trend which is steadily growing in American churches today. This phenomena has been driving millions of young people [and some older ones] away from the church. Why? Because they're sick of politics in the church.

Another reason is the disturbing trends revealed in the "Early Warning Signs of Fascism" found in the Holocaust Museum which are:

EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF FASCISM

1. Powerful and continuing nationalism
2. Disdain for human rights
3. Identification of enemies as a unifying cause
4. Rampant sexism
5. Controlled mass media
6. Obsession with national security
7. Religion and government intertwined
8. Corporate power protected
9. Labor power suppressed
10. Disdain for intellectual and the arts
11. Obsession with crime and punishment
12. Rampant cronyism and corruption

Read the best-selling book "Jesus Untangled:Crucifying Our Politics To Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb" available now on Amazon.

5 MINUTE VIDEO: What's This Jesus-Centric View of Scripture?

Take 5 Minutes and listen as Keith explains why the Jesus-Centric view of Scripture isn't linked to the Marcionite Heresy. 

Also: What the heck is the Marcionite Heresy?

If you haven't picked up your copy of Keith's new book, "Jesus Untangled:Crucifying Our Politics To Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb", be sure to grab your paperback or ebook copy

HERE

Responding To My Critics: Why Jesus Is Not A Liberal [And Neither Am I]

One of the most consistent complaints I’ve heard from people regarding my book is that I’m not tough enough on the Liberal Democrats or that I am too critical of the Conservative Republican brand of Christianity.

In light of that I’d like to make a few clarifications:

*The reason my book speaks more about Conservative Republican Christianity is because this is my own background and experience. I frankly can’t say as much about the Liberal Democrat Christianity because that wasn’t something I was immersed in for over 25 years of my life.

*If anyone reads my book and understands my message, they will abandon all politics, not just conservative politics.

*As long as we are continually distracted by which side – the Left or the Right – is worse than the other side, we will remain entangled in politics. It doesn’t matter which one you think is better or worse. The point is they are both corrupt and a distraction from our calling as Ambassadors of Christ’s Kingdom.

*Just because I spend less time criticizing the Left does not mean that I am in favor of Democratic policies, politicians or ideologies. Nor does it mean that Democrats are somehow “better” or “less entangled” than Republicans.

*HOWEVER: My book does warn readers NOT to take my criticisms of Conservative Republican Christianity and Politics as a signal that they should swing to the Left, or even towards another party like the Libertarians the Green party, etc.

In fact on page 117 of my book I say this:

“Let’s be clear. The answer to all of this is not to join the Democratic Party, the Libertarian Party, or even to create our own political party. No, the answer is to abandon politics completely, to re-focus our eyes on Jesus, and to place our faith in His plan to change the world. The American Church must return to Her Bridegroom. She must remember Her first love.”

*On page 122 of my book I say this:

“One study conducted in 2011 found that nearly 5,400 former congressional staffers and 400 former U.S. lawmakers left Capitol Hill to become federal lobbyists over a 10 year period.  So, it really doesn’t matter whether or not there is a Republican or a Democrat in the White House

or if one party has a majority in Congress. Other than a few minor details, there are no significant differences between one or the other. Mainly because both parties are largely controlled by the same powerful corporations.”

*On page 130 of my book I say:

“Many lobbyists even go so far as to write the bills they want Congress to pass, and to hand those bills to their representatives. The Congressmen often don’t even read the entire bill before they introduce it, vote on it, and pass it into law. It doesn’t matter if those Congressmen are Republican, Democrat, Independent, or Libertarian. This is how our government works, and it has been this way for a very long time.”

*On page 146 I say:

“So, again, for the record, I am not a liberal or a Democrat. I am also not a Republican or a Libertarian. I do not even vote. I do not endorse any political party or agenda or candidate for office. I place no faith whatsoever in politics or politicians. My hope is in Christ and in His Gospel alone. The frustrating thing is that, whenever someone advocates for the idea that Christians should listen to the words of Jesus and put them into practice by caring for the poor, loving their enemy, or refraining from violence they risk being labeled as a liberal or accused of being motivated by politics. Even if what they’re really doing is following the Lord Jesus Christ.”

So, in conclusion, let me reiterate that my book advocates a complete and total abandonment of all political entanglements. Everything in the book points to Jesus and calls Christians to seek first His Kingdom and completely forsake any and all connections with politics.

If you read the book and you are offended that I didn't take more time to attack the other side, I suspect you might still be entangled in partisan politics and have totally missed the point.

Remember: You can't convert a culture if that culture has already converted you.

"Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." [Hebrews 12:1-2]

-kg

**
READ MORE

*God Is Not A Republican Or A Democrat [Or An American]

*Why Do People Think I'm A Liberal?

NOW AVAILABLE

My book Jesus Untangled:Crucifying Our Politics To Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb is available on Amazon now.

Order here

Unboxing God: Keith Giles and Jesus Untangled

Join us for our first ever Unboxing God conversation.  We sit down with Keith Giles, author of Jesus Untangled, this week to discuss the dangerous entanglement of Politics and Christianity.  If you've ever felt that the Christian entanglement with politics sometimes feels a bit dirty, then you'll enjoy the conversation.

GOD IS NOT A REPUBLICAN OR A DEMOCRAT [OR AMERICAN]

One of the hardest things for Christians in America to understand is that God does not love them more than He loves people in other nations.

God's love for Iranians and for Koreans and everyone else on the planet is equally the same. [Which is to say "Ginormously gargantuan beyond imagination"].

There's an excellent example in the Bible of when others made a similar mistake in assuming that God was on the side of their nation.

Joshua, as he was preparing to go to battle against the pagans of Jericho, encountered a soldier he did not recognize. Little did he realize at the moment that he was standing in front of the Captain of the Angelic Host. [See Joshua 5:13-15]

Quickly he confronted the soldier and asked, "Are you with us, [the people of God] or with them [those ungodly pagans over there]?"

Now, to most of us, the answer should be simple: God is, of course, on the side of those who worship Him. Right?

Wrong.

The answer the Captain of the Lord's Army gives should give us pause. He says, "Neither."

Neither?

Wait a minute. Why isn't God on the side of those who worship Him? 

Answer: Because God does not follow us. We follow Him.

The real question we should ask is not, "Is God on our side?" but "Are we on God's side?"

There's a big difference.

If we identify ourselves as "Americans" and then assume that God is on our side, we forget that God also loves China, and South Africa, and Norway, etc. That means that God doesn't take sides. 

But we do.

So, are we on God's side, or are we on the side of our nation?

The truth is, we cannot chose both sides at once. Why? Because America fights for American values and American interests and American prosperity. 

God's priority is to bring everyone and everything under the authority of Christ. [See Ps.110:1; Luke 20:43; Acts 2:35; Heb. 1:13]

Our allegiance is to Christ and His eternal kingdom.

So, let me ask you: "Are you with Christ, or with your nation?"

Choose wisely.

-kg

My book "Jesus Untangled: Crucifying Our Politics To Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb" is available now on Amazon.

ORDER HERE

HALFWAY THERE: Podcast Interview "Jesus Untangled" with Keith Giles

Separating Church from State with Jesus Untangled Author Keith Giles

How integrated should the Kingdom of God and the leaders of a nation be? The question may seem strange to Evangelical ears when the objective of some for multiple decades has been to pass laws and “influence” political leaders. But just because this has been the case does not mean it is what ought to be.

Eric Nevins, host of HALFWAY THERE podcast, interviews author Keith Giles about his faith journey and why he wrote the new book "Jesus Untangled"

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE

Purchase your copy of "Jesus Untangled" on Amazon today:

PAPERBACK

KINDLE

Thanks,
-kg

INTERVIEW: Derek Gilbert talks to Keith Giles about new book "Jesus Untangled"

WATCH: View From The Bunker host Derek Gilbert interviews author Keith Giles about his new book "Jesus Untangled: Crucifying Our Politics to Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb". 

QUIZ: How Entangled Are You?

Here's a quick test to find out how entangled your faith has become in politics, and where you might need help getting untangled.


Ask yourself:

Can you imagine following Jesus apart from your politics?

Do you find it intolerable to listen to anyone who disagrees with your political convictions?

Are you more upset when someone disrespects your nation's flag than you are when they misrepresent the teachings of Jesus?

Has it ever occurred to you to ask why the American flag is always flown above the Christian flag?

Would you give up being an American for Jesus?

If Jesus asked you to give up being an American and to stop pledging allegiance to your nation's flag, would you do so? How would that make you feel?

Do you believe that God has blessed America more than any other nation on earth?

Are you convinced that America is a Christian nation?

Are you willing to fight a war in order to defend your nation, even if you know that doing so may result in the death of other Christians who happen to live in the nation you're fighting?

Have you ever argued with another Christian about differences in politics and decided not to fellowship with that person due to your differing views?

Do you often discuss politics with people whom you have never - and would never - talk to about Jesus?

Do you believe that one political party is more "Christian" than others?

NOTE:
If you answered "Yes" to any of those questions, you might be entangled.

Hopefully my new book will help identify entanglements and clarify how best to navigate your way towards more freedom in Christ. 

What do you think of these questions? Can you think of any other ways we can test our entanglements?

Please share in the comments below.

Thanks,

kg

5 MINUTE VIDEO: Let's Talk about "Jesus Untangled"

Can you convert a culture if that culture has already converted you?

Keith talks about his new book, "Jesus Untangled: Crucifying Our Politics to Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb" and explains why he wrote the book and how the greatest threat to Christianity in America might actually be "American Christianity".

To learn more visit: www.JesusUntangled.com

MY NEW BOOK: JESUS UNTANGLED

This is the book Trump and Hillary don't want you to read.

My new book, Jesus Untangled: Crucifying Our Politics to Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb is coming to Amazon on Inauguration Day - January 20, 2017 in both print and ebook formats.

I'm very honored to have Greg Boyd [author of The Myth of a Christian Nation] contribute the Foreword to my book.

This is also my first book that I'm publishing through an actual publisher rather than going the self-publishing route. Already I'm kicking myself for not doing so much sooner. It's been a wonderful experience so far.

If you'd like to know more about the book, we have a little landing page set up here: www.JesusUntangled.com

I'm currently setting up radio and podcast interviews for the book, and I'm sending out advance pre-release copies on PDF to several authors and bloggers to solicit advance reviews leading up to January 20th, 2017.

If you live in the SoCal area, you might want to join us for the Jesus Untangled Book Signing Party at Fuller Seminary, Irvine on Saturday evening, Jan. 21st. at 6pm. This will be a great opportunity to grab a signed copy of the book and meet me in person. I'll read a chapter from the book and take a few questions.

Going forward, you might see a few new 5 Minute Video clips here and on YouTube focused on the book, plus a few other surprises that I can't wait to share.

Thanks to everyone who has read my blog over the last 10 years, and who have supported me and my writing ministry. I'm so blessed to share this book with all of you!

Thanks for the support, it is greatly appreciated.

Peace,
Keith

NOTE: If you plan to buy the book on Amazon, please DO NOT PRE-ORDER the book. We're asking everyone to be patient and purchase the book on Friday, January 20th so our sales numbers are maximized and all sorts of beautiful things start to happen for us at Amazon.

Thanks!

WHY CHRISTIANS SHOULDN’T VOTE

For most Christians the idea of not voting sounds sacrilegious. But following Jesus means turning away from the “patterns of this world” in favor of a better way – the Kingdom of God.

Here are some reasons why you shouldn’t vote if you follow Christ:

1. Because in over 6,000 years of human history, politics hasn’t solved any of our basic problems

2. Because politics divides the Body of Christ and creates false “us vs them” mentality

3. Because we will one day give an account to God for how we spent our time/money and investing in such an ineffective system is unjustified.

4. Because politics is about writing, passing and enforcing laws. Even God’s law wasn’t capable of creating the change we need. Why do we think we can do better?

5. Because when you have the power to change every human heart from within and make people brand new inside you don’t waste time on politics

6. Because we realize that to have a Christian nation you need to start with a nation of Christians. By making disciples we’re collaborating with Jesus to remake the world from within.

7. Because the Gospel is not spread through political actions or laws.

8. Because we admit that seeking political solutions to mankind’s problems is the same as giving up on the power of the Gospel to change people from within.

9. Because passing laws that force people to act Christian isn’t the same as making people like Christ.

10. Because our core problems, as a human race, are spiritual in nature. That means the only solution is spiritual.

11. Because politics is ultimately about compromise, power and corruption and no follower of Jesus needs to get entangled in those things.

12. Because human governments are essentially focused on gaining power and national wealth through violence and war.

13. Because politics is part of the world system we are called out of and saved from. It is one of the entanglements the scriptures call us to avoid.

14. Because the currency of politics are fame, money, power, manipulation and lies.

15. Because politics involves raising and spending billions of dollars which could better be used to build the Kingdom, feed the poor, care for the sick and comfort the outcast.

16. Because the NT portrays the enemies of Jesus as “the nations” and “the Kings of the earth”, we must stand with Jesus and work to advance His Kingdom, not promote earthly governments or leaders.

17. Because choosing between the lesser of two evils is still a choice for evil.

One of the most dangerous entanglements faced by Christians is in politics. Why? Simply because those who become entangled in politics do so out of a sincere desire to make a positive difference in the world. But rather than employ the methods that Jesus gave to us, they are attempting to change the world using the world’s systems.

Jesus did not come to give us more of the same, but with a cross on top. No, He came to show us a new and different way than anything we had ever even imagined before. This is why He started His Sermon on the Mount by urging all of us to “think differently” about everything. He had different ideas like overcoming evil with good, loving our enemies, and laying down our lives for one another.

Of course, every Christian hopes to make an impact on the world. But Jesus has the very best possible plan for changing the world from the inside out – without bloodshed or oppression or violence.

No, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to make the world a better place. The problem is in seeking to do so without Jesus. Or, worse, to mix Christianity with Politics.

You know what you get when you mix religion and politics? You get politics.

Jesus shows us a better way.

Let's follow Him.

-kg

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