Most Americans know Andrew Jackson as a frontier rebel against political and diplomatic norms; a "populist" champion of ordinary people against the elitist legacy of the Founding Fathers. Many date the onset of American democracy to his 1829 inauguration. Despite his reverence for the "sovereign people;" however; Jackson spent much of his career limiting that sovereignty; imposing new and often unpopular legal regimes over American lands and markets. He made his name as a lawyer; businessman; and official along the Carolina and Tennessee frontiers; at times ejecting white squatters from native lands and returning slaves to native planters in the name of federal authority and international law. On the other hand; he waged total war on the Cherokees and Creeks who terrorized western settlements and raged at the national statesmen who refused to "avenge the blood" of innocent colonists. During the long war in the south and west from 1811 to 1818 he brushed aside legal restraints on holy genocide and mass retaliation; presenting himself as the only man who would protect white families from hostile empires; "heathen" warriors; and rebellious slaves. He became a towering hero to those who saw the United States as uniquely lawful and victimized. And he used that legend to beat back a range of political; economic; and moral alternatives for the republican future.Drawing from new evidence about Jackson and the southern frontiers; Avenging the People boldly reinterprets the grim and principled man whose version of American nationhood continues to shape American democracy.
#157640 in Books 2010-04-14Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.40 x 1.20 x 9.20l; 1.45 #File Name: 0199730806368 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Excellent analysis and framework for considering the role of Christians in social changeBy Brian GammillFor those interested in looking deeply at the mission of the church and its implications for engaging with and influencing the world around us; "To Change the World" is serious analysis that demands consideration. While Dr. Hunter writes with the discipline and rigor of a highly respected academic; his style is both accessible and thought-provoking. For those in other parts of the world; beware that the examples and context of this book is limited to the United States. Yet; the principles of social change and the analysis of the roles of institutions are universal. I recommend this for those Christians who aspire to change the world and/or disciple nations. Be forewarned: that task will likely require some change in your own thinking.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. The intersection of theology; sociology; and cultureBy H. LiuHunter is an evangelical sociologist writing on how Christians or the Church should engage culture. The first part of the book presents a study of culture and what impacts cultural change. Hunter begins by providing us a general survey of how Christians desire to change the world; the common approaches that Christians at large have take to accomplish cultural change; how the common approaches lead to failure; he then presents an alternative view in eleven propositions (excellent); shows it's evidence working through history; then he addresses the cultural setting/economy of American Christianity as a weak culture; then he revisits the creation mandate. And that's just part one of three (358 page book). I recommend reading this book if you don't mind engaging with cultural sociology. I love this paragraph from Hunter:Let me say that the best understanding of the creation mandate is not about changing the world at all. It is certainly not about "saving Western civilization;" "saving America;" "winning the culture war;" or anything else like it. The reason is that so much of the discussion surrounding this kind of world-changing is oriented toward the idea of controlling history. The presumption is both that one can know God's specific plans in human history and that one possesses the power to realize those plans in human affairs. There is a fine line between presumption and hope; as Aquinas observed; but in our culture; such presumption nearly always has tragic consequences (95).Hunter proposes that the role of the Church is to move towards what he calls "a theology of faithful presence" ... "the vocation of the Church is to bear witness to and to be the embodiment of the coming Kingdom of God" (95).The latter part of the book is more theological; Hunter presents the failed approaches of the Christian Right; the Christian Left; and the Neo-Anabaptist and presents a fourth approach entitled a faithful presence within. In summary; a theology of faithful presence; argues that Christians should be involved in every sphere of culture living out the presence of God's shalom towards all men. Hunter argues that even though we cannot change the world; we can still have an impact on culture; if and only if Christ' presence is lived out through believers in every realm of culture.For a balanced view on how the Church should engage culture read this book (Hunter); David Van Drunen's Living in God's Two Kingdoms; and Tim Keller's Generous Justice. I found Hunter's book cited in the endnotes of Generous Justice; stumbled on a few online reviews; and decided to read it. Conclusively; this book has made a profound impact on my understanding of Church and Society. This is a must read for pastors and theologians.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. This is not an easy read. The book group used three sessions to ...By ShirleyThis is not an easy read. The book group used three sessions to discuss the various chapters of the book. Very good discussions that could go on longer than our time allowed. No easy answers.
