The Revolt

The RevoltS. Wise Bauer Word 425 pp.; $12.99, paper

In a symposium published in the November 1996 issue of First Things, provocatively titled “The End of Democracy? The Judicial Usurpation of Politics,” Charles Colson and four other participants asked whether the current “regime” (that is, the government of the United States) has forfeited its legitimacy and whether it is now incumbent upon Christians to engage in civil disobedience. The symposium generated considerable controversy (CT, Dec. 9, 1996, p. 14) and continues to receive extensive media coverage (see, for example, the February issue of Commentary magazine).

Curiously, two or three months before the symposium appeared, Word published a first novel by a gifted young writer that might have begun to germinate with the very questions posed in First Things. In S. Wise Bauer’s The Revolt, set in the near future, the state of Virginia secedes from the Union to form a Christian commonwealth governed by God’s law.

A novel is not an argument, and it would be unfair to report in advance how this thought-experiment turns out. But don’t start reading it in the evening if you have to get up early the next morning. Bauer, who writes regularly for Colson’s “BreakPoint” radio commentary, knows how to keep readers turning the pages.

Copyright © 1997 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Our Latest

Our Faith’s Future Depends on Discipleship

The Lausanne Movement’s State of the Great Commission report details where and how Christianity is growing. 

News

Trump’s Promised Mass Deportations Put Immigrant Churches on Edge

Some of the president-elect’s proposals seem unlikely, but he has threatened to remove millions of both undocumented and legal immigrants.

God Is Faithful in Triumph and Despair

I voted for Kamala Harris and mourn her loss. But I want to keep politics in its proper place, subordinate to Jesus.

Vance’s Chance

How VP-elect JD Vance could build a bridge between populism and Christian conservatism.

How to Pray for Persecuted Christians

Leaders from Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa offer guidance on interceding for believers suffering for their faith.

‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ Could Be A Classic

The new movie from Dallas Jenkins is at times too on the nose—but also funny, heartfelt, and focused on Jesus.

News

Trump’s Path to Victory Still Runs Through the Church

The former president held on to the white evangelical vote while making gains among Catholics and Hispanic Christians.

What to Do After the Election

Prudence from Ecclesiastes and exhortation from Hebrews for the jubilant and disappointed alike.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube