Randall Balmer

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In various books and articles, Balmer has criticized the politicization of the American Christian evangelical movement. In an article titled "Jesus is not a Republican" in the Chronicle of Higher Education , Balmer writes:

Indeed, the most effective and vigorous religious movements in American history have identified with the downtrodden and have positioned themselves on the fringes of society rather than at the centers of power. The Methodists of the 19th century come to mind, as do the Mormons. In the 20th century, Pentecostalism, which initially appealed to the lower classes and made room for women and people of color, became perhaps the most significant religious movement of the century.

The leaders of the religious right have led their sheep astray from the gospel of Jesus Christ to the false gospel of neoconservative ideology and into the maw of the Republican Party. And yet my regard for the flock and my respect for their integrity is undiminished. Ultimately it is they who must reclaim the gospel and rescue us from the distortions of the religious right.

The Bible I read tells of freedom for captives and deliverance from oppression. It teaches that those who refuse to act with justice or who neglect the plight of those less fortunate have some explaining to do. But the Bible is also about good news. It promises redemption and forgiveness, a chance to start anew and, with divine help, to get it right. My evangelical theology assures me that no one, not even Karl Rove or James Dobson, lies beyond the reach of redemption, and that even a people led astray can find their way home. [3]

Political career

In 2003, Balmer ran for a seat on his local school board and lost by four votes. [4]

In 2004, Balmer won the Democratic nomination for a seat representing the 111th District in the Connecticut House of Representatives. Balmer ran in the general election against incumbent Republican John H. Frey, despite the fact that Balmer had lived in the district for less than three years, Frey had never drawn an opponent, and the town of Ridgefield (which the 111th District represents) was "two-to-one Republican." [4] Ultimately, Balmer was defeated in the election. Frey won 8,824 votes, and Balmer won 4,478 votes; Frey won more votes than anyone else in the Connecticut House that year. [5]

Selected publications

Documentaries and e-seminars

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References

  1. 1 2 "Dartmouth College Dept. of Religion bio". Archived from the original on 2013-09-09. Retrieved 2013-07-13.
  2. "By the Way: My Career as an Influencer". Good Faith Media. 2024. Archived from the original on March 21, 2024.
  3. "Jesus Is Not a Republican" The Chronicle of Higher Education
  4. 1 2 "A Popular Barnard Professor Looks to Politics". Columbia Daily Spectator. Retrieved 2020-05-19.
  5. "Vote for State Representatives - November 2, 2004 - Assembly Districts". State of Connecticut. Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved May 19, 2020.

Randall Balmer
Born
Randall Herbert Balmer

(1954-10-22) October 22, 1954 (age 69)
Ecclesiastical career
ReligionChristianity (Anglican)
Church Episcopal Church (United States)
Ordained
  • 2006 (deacon)
  • 2006 (priest)
Academic background
Alma mater
Thesis Dutch Religion in an English World (1985)