부산대학교 도서관

Jones (CEO, Public Religion Research Institute) opens this book with an obituary (which includes the notification that "plans for a public memorial service have not been announced") and closes it with a eulogy—both for white Christian America (WCA). The author does an excellent job of defining WCA in terms of family, politics, and race. WCA had a good run—born with the nation and entering its twilight zone with the election of Barack Obama as president. Racial and ethnic changes abounded, revealing a WCA headed toward its demise. In addition, religious fundamentalism was being challenged, as witnessed (in part) by the continuing decline of the Southern Baptist Convention. A formerly religious majority was obliged to find a way to integrate into the "new American cultural landscape." The future, Jones observes, must include true ecumenicity: as the eulogy states, "In the post-WCA world, building new models of interfaith cooperation is vitally important." Religious as well as political fundamentalism must be completely rejected. Jones closes this excellent volume by observing that though the passing of WCA causes "considerable grief" for some, others see it with "relief or even celebration." The blurb on the dust jacket is correct: "This is a must read." Summing Up: Essential. All readers.