Modern Fascism, by Gene Edward Veith, Jr.

I just finished reading an important book entitled Modern Fascism by Gene Edward Veith, Jr.

The author follows the history of ideas that led to the rise of Hitler and the atrocities of the Holocaust. These ideas have not exited the world stage, and they are closer to home than we might like to admit.

We must know what fascism is so that we can recognize it when we see it. This will mean undoing certain misconceptions. Fascism is not conservativism. It is not the "right" wing" as opposite of the "left wing." Such simplistic definitions and neat dichotomies may carry some truth, but they hide more than they reveal. Specifically, they hide the moderness of fascism, its appeal to progressives and the avant-guard. Fascism has always been on the cutting edge. p. 13.

As this is a book recommendation--not a review, I won't spend much time delving into Veith's thesis. But I do want to say that pastors, teachers, and youth workers should read this book with pen in hand.

Fascism denies objective morality, obtains its own view of knowledge, descends into group-think and race-based perspectives, affects the arts, and promotes "image" over "word."

These are all realms that ministry must speak to--opposing fascist thought by consistent, Biblical thinking, preaching, and acting.

Veith discusses the concordance post-modernism can have with fascism. His discussion will move the savvy reader to think about current issues of post-modernity in ministry and music.

The reader will also gain insight into the absurd, twisted, "alternative-universe" thinking that labels Christianity as fascist and Nazi.

Get the book.

Read it.