The Christian Paradox Analysis

Over the years, writers such as Bill McKibben have raised up their voices to give their personal opinion on polemic topics that involve Christianity. McKibben is a writer, educator, environmentalist, and currently a scholar at Middlebury College in Vermont. He served as an editor of important articles for the Harvard Crimson, and, in 2005, he wrote “The Christian Paradox: How a Faithful Nation Gets Jesus Wrong” (264). All of his background information gives the impression that McKibben is an educated and environmentally conscious person who has envisioned a better future for America. As a member of the Christian community, McKibben has received direct insight into the problems of the Church. In his article, McKibben argues his standpoint that,

McKibben simply wants to show this nation that if they wish to call themselves Christian, then they need to revolutionize their value system. Jesus taught His disciples to be generous and give wealth to the poor. American ideals tell people that the richer they become, the better they will live. American Christians have grown to be hypocritical and have lost their true sense of the meaning of

In addition, McKibben wants to make his audience aware of the importance of being true Christians and following their religious principles. He shares this goal with other environmentalists, and he shows disappointment when he questions the nature of countries like Norway and Sweden versus that of the United States. People are helping those who are in need in places where religion is not a significant part of society (McKibben 271). For example, citizens in those countries give aid to the poor, and help the environment by using public transportation, which reduces carbon emissions. However, in the United States, Americans’ actions are branded with the title of “American failure” because people do not try to be responsible stewards of the earth (271). In Genesis, God put a man in “the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it,” demonstrating what it is that He wants us to do with the earth He has given us (Gen.2:15). It is upsetting that people from other countries, whose actions are not cemented in religious beliefs, are more attuned to what God commands than citizens of the United States. Overall, McKibben’s purpose is to enlighten America and use this essay as a call for action towards positive transformation in American