Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 26, 1995 TAG: 9511270105
SECTION: BOOKS PAGE: G-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: REVIEWED BY NELSON HARRIS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"The story of the American Antichrist is varied and fascinating," writes author Robert Fuller. "By projecting Americans' doubts and uncertainties onto a demonic `other,' the act of naming the Antichrist protects their personal and collective sensibilities from the frailties of human experience."
Ever since the New Testament apocalyptic writers provided attention to the Antichrist figure, the world's religious communities have sought to identify and forewarn the faithful just who or what is the Antichrist. For Christians, the Antichrist is the embodiment of the ultimate enemy of Christ whose appearing is one of the marks of the end times. Consequently, the term itself evokes a powerful and negative image. The ability of certain religious groups and persons to attach the Antichrist label to another for typically less than noble purposes is indeed a fascinating study.
Robert Fuller, professor of religious studies at Bradley University, chronicles "the naming of the Antichrist" as it has occurred in American history and culture over the past two centuries: from Protestants in the 19th century who, leery of Catholic and Jewish immigrants, claimed the pope or Judaism itself to be the Antichrist; to military and political officials who, wanting to stir up emotions regarding American Indians, pointed to the "savage, pagan Indians" of the American West; to some 20th-century religious conservatives who certainly thought the Soviet Union prior to its fall was the Antichrist.
America has certainly not been immune to the naming and defaming of others using the Antichrist imagery. The result has been various "crusades of hate" which have emerged and re-emerge on the American political and social landscape.
Why, then, is America so "obsessed" with naming the Antichrist?
Fuller speculates it is all an attempt to mask our insecurities by mythologizing that which threatens social, political or theological boundaries. For the author, the religious community has done itself and its cause great harm by playing this name game. Based upon his interpretation of the historical record, Fuller asserts "this relentless obsession with the Antichrist appears to have done more to forestall than to signal the realization of the Kingdom of God on earth."
Nelson Harris is pastor of Ridgewood Baptist Church.
by CNB