Grand Theft Jesus: The Hijacking of Religion in America

by Robert S. McElvaine

“Jesus never wrote a book, but I recognize his handwriting in Grand Theft Jesus . Like Jesus, McElvaine uses lively illustrations and a serious sense of humor to cleanse the temple of exclusive and exploitative religion.”
–The Reverend Alan Storey,Calvary Methodist Church, South Africa

“We’re mad as Heaven, and we’re not going to take it anymore!” declares historian Robert McElvaine in this passionate and often hilarious rallying cry for sincere Jesus Followers. He lets the rest of society know that the extreme right wing won’t be allowed to speak for all Christians any longer. His whip-smart, take-no-prisoners polemic lays bare the Christian Right’s “Easy Jesus” creed, in which people who claim to accept Jesus get a free pass to lie in his name. Grand Theft Jesus exposes the televangelists and the leaders of megachurches as the people Jesus warned us about–the wolves in sheep’s clothing of our day.

The religion that McElvaine calls ChristianityLite resembles schemes that promise “Lose weight without diet or exercise!” Its leaders say, “Be saved without sacrifice or good works!” Run by a crew of politicians, megachurch preachers, televangelists, hypocrites, and snake-oil salesmen, it has hijacked true Christianity and distorted it into something Jesus wouldn’t recognize. Its leaders have taken the generous and loving ideals of Christ and twisted them into a religion that advocates war and intolerance, values money above charity, preaches hatred instead of brotherhood, and promises “true” believers the keys to the gates of the kingdom of God–and to the bank vault.

Jesus’ radical message of love and peace has been drowned out by the bluster, the hate, and the selfishness that often passes for Christianity in America. McElvaine names names in his list of “Leading Lites” who have earned spots on Jesus’ Ten Most Unwanted List and exposes the hypocritical (Ted Haggard), the disgraceful (Pat Robertson), and the shocking (Ann Coulter). Grand Theft Jesus blends outrage and humor in a compelling argument that will help to resurrect the real Jesus, who has been crucified and interred by the “Right Reverends” who recite the Apostles’ Greed, are pro-choice on wars of choice, and preach the Greater Gory of Christ.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Politics, Philosophy

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Robert S. McElvaine is Elizabeth Chisholm Professor of Arts and Letters and Chair of the Department of History at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi.

Reviews

[Mike (the Paladin) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is frankly a book on Christian theology so if you aren't interested then feel free to move on to some of my other reviews. i don't want to bore you. Also this is very much a matter of "disagreement among the family" so to speak.

This book troubles me. There are so many problems that I hesitate to try and discuss them as this could become an essay. First I agree with some of the things said here but even then I mostly disagree with the way they are said. Also he makes some baldly incorrect statements (even about non-theological topics).

Then he also approaches Jesus and Christianity from an odd oblique angle. He has a problem with what he calls "easy Jesus".l However in that includes things like the prosperity gospel (mostly just a con game played on Christians [send me your money and God will blees you wit lots more money and "stuff"]) and other questionable teachings.

The main problem (I think) is that he's more involved with the idea of turning from sin than in Christ Himself. YES! Christians turn from sin. We (that is Christians)turn from sin. NOT "to get saved" as some would put it...but because we are Christians.

Now he does seem to get that as he approaches this by recognizing that Christians do "sort of" exist on a continuum. That is some have overcome sin more than others. However that is called growth. We as humans do not. in fact can not overcome sin. It is the Holy Spirit and Christ in us that empowers humans to change.

And we as Christians are not called to judge those who are what I'd call, "unchurched". We are called to tell them the Good News...that is "Gospel". And in spite of how the writer sees it the Good News is that all sin is forgiven and covered.

Now as it's very important to him, yes people can miss the Kingdom of God (or Heaven if you prefer, we can talk that over elsewhere). BUT God is not looking to cast anyone off. He tells us that He is not willing that anyone perish. Anyone who ends up outside the gates of the Holy City (Rev.22:15) ends up there because they choose to stay in rebellion but notice Rev. 21:25. Those gates are said to stand open all the time. It's as if even then God hopes the ones outside will repent.

Look there's some things here I agree with. But there is a lot that seems troubling to me. We aren't called to lock people away or stand in judgement of others. If we see sin in the Church then it's incumbent on us to HELP not condemn.

That all said remember I'm not to condemn either, so... Look what I'd say is, this is not a book for beginning Christians learning the basic teachings of Christ. Start with the Bible, my recommendation is the book of John as you get more of Jesus actual teaching there. This is a book for those looking for a discussion. In the end I didn't really care for it as it didn't really help me or challenge me. It simply pointed out some real problems (as in pastors and teachers who are misleading Christians and seekers) and also has some problems (as in adding to divisions between Christians).

let us concentrate on our RELATIONSHIP with Christ...yes turn from sin as sin hurts and even kills but trust in Christ to strengthen us in that and to guide our judgement.

remember Micah 6:8 "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

[V · Rating 2 out of 5]

I agree with other reviewers: the gimmicky, pun-laden vocabulary really detracted from the book... I kept trying to remember what the author meant by this or that cutesy abbreviation. I could have possibly gotten past that, but the author's fairly incessant use of the formula "Do these faux Christians do x, y, or z? Of course not, because that was something advocated by Jesus!" really worked to undermine his credibility because it didn't attempt a real explanation for people's actions, just dismissed them with a rhetorically weak wave of the hand. (To be fair, he does attempt to explain some of the bad Christians' motivations in the book.) I also thought the organization of the book was somewhat lacking, but maybe it was just the fact that it was sometimes difficult to find content amidst all the not-very-clever wordplay.

I was hoping for a cooler, more scholarly work that dissected somewhat more of the New Testament than it did (having read very little of those writings myself) and dispassionately compared the teachings of Jesus to the actions of these modern nutbars. Also, I was hoping for a more thorough examination of how well or poorly older and more mainstream sects promote the teachings of Jesus. What I got was a sarcastic screed against fundamentalist Christians. I can do that myself, I don't need a book for that.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book clearly documents how certain factions within organized religion have perverted the teachings of Jesus, and used the lunatic fringe of the Republican Party to mesmerize, sedate, and captivate The Contemporary American Gestalt.

McElvaine calls this the "Easy Jesus" creed, since all you have to say is that you 'Believe', and no difficult actions or behavior changes are expected of you. What you say, trumps what you do. Or, once you are Saved, you can do any damned thing that you please.

'ChristianityLite' has completely changed the Truth, and now what passes for the teachings of Christ are exactly the opposite.

"America is simultaneously the most professedly Christian of the developed nations, and the least Christian in its behavior". Amen To that!

I would hope that sensible Christian believers everywhere have been waiting for someone to wrest The Prince of Peace away from those who believe that God supports War, Tax Cuts For The Rich, that The Poor have brought their plight upon themselves. and Torture is always viable if the conditions are right.

[Carolyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Now that I've read more of this book, I am really disappointed. This is pretty much one person's insatiable rant against the religious right and conservative Christians. While some of his points are really good, and I agree with much of what he says, his presentation is quite poor. This book really turned me off after a few pages. At first, it was really funny, and I appreciated his tirade. After awhile, though, it became apparent that this author had no desire to provide solutions, edification, or even evidence. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

[Ken Craig-Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Written as a series of thoughts/commentary The author exposes the flip-flop that has happened with the original message and mission of 1st century Xitians and how it has morphed into this unholy and unrecognizable brand of Xiatianity. He truly exposes almost, the more well known stars of modern day American Christian scene. My only criticism of the book is that there doesn't seem to be a cohesive answer to the criticism.. a how to fix this message if you will.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was hoping for a thoughtful presentation of opinion, theory, and argument. But this is pure rant. Drivel. Thoroughly boring. Headed for the trash bin as I wouldn't want to be responsible for passing on its misery to those who frequent used-book proprietors.

[Denise Ekk · Rating 1 out of 5]

I share many of the same ideas about organized religion. However, this book is a perfect example of why a good editor is necessary. It had no real organization or direction and too many puns. This could have been a much better book. I couldn't even finish it and I NEVER stop reading a book.

[Greg Rothenberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a whole lot of new material in this book, although it is nice to have it all in one place. Since it's a pretty new book, it's also tied more into recent current events, such as the 2008 election. My only complaint is that the author tries too hard for "fun" in his word play. It was somewhat distracting at times. Still, overall it's a very good book.

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

not a particularly well-written book: author's own reliance on insensitive rhetoric and slightly mocking/ironic tone throughout the discussion makes it all too easy to gloss over the underlying point of the book, which is the misuse of christ's name and message by organizations and invididuals who purport to speak on his behalf

[Johnny Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author's ranting style detracts from the overall message of the book. I agree with many of the points he makes concerning the Religious Right and the Republican Party, but he really needs to dial back the vitriol!

[Katherine Erlikh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book, although I could do without the constant catchphrases. Couldn't get through a paragraph without using one at least -.-;
It's nice to read about people who actually DID read the bible....

[Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I happen to agree with the author on most points, but I thought the wordplay was more tedious than funny. Just stick to the rant please.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

5+++ stars for the overall message, but the ranty style detracts a bit (even as it entertains), and I'm not sure I buy the gender-envy theories.

[Matthew · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a Who's Who of religious hypocrisy since the rise of Reagan in the '80s. If you like punny phrases like "Amazing Disgrace" and different font sizes and settings to illustrate your points, with a distinctly partisan tone in your condemnation of the right, this book will be appealing. I could not read it all, and what I did was just okay, but I must give the author credit for a hilarious title that captures something of the Bush era in which this was written, and for meticulously cataloging the scam artists of recent years who have distorted the teachings of Jesus and sought huge profits from them.