The Emperor Has No Clothes: Addressing Fatal Blind Spots in the American Church

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The American Church is dying, because she is sinning, and she doesn’t see it...yet.
Like the gullible emperor who was tricked into “wearing” invisible clothes only elites could see, the American Church, vain and deceived, has no clothes, but she doesn’t know it. She needs a child to shout, “The American Church has no clothes!” Shame will ensue. But then repentance can come, followed by healing and holiness.
The guiding thought of the book stems from Revelation 3:17-18, the letter from Jesus to the naked and clueless church at Laodicea:
“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me...white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.”
Laodicea was much like the American Church today: financially rich, but biblically poor; Jesus’ bride on parade before the world, but blind to her nakedness. She needs salve treatment to heal her eyes and clear her vision.
This book is a call to the American Church to take the salve from Jesus so she can see her blind spots, and then take the clothes from Jesus and put them on. The purpose of this book is to arm the average, everyday American disciple of Jesus with thought-provoking questions to ask himself, his fellow disciples and his church leaders. And the purpose of these questions is to spur on the American Church to look honestly at herself, see her sins, and change, before it’s too late.

About the Author

Dave Donaldson is a preacher, chaplain, musician and writer. He received a BA in Preaching and Theology from Florida Christian College and MA in New Testament Studies from Lincoln Christian Seminary. Since 1985 he has been privileged to serve in congregations in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas and Missouri in the roles of Teacher, Youth Minister, Christian Education Minister, Music Leader, Elder and Preacher. He and his wife have three daughters, one in middle school, one in high school and one in college. In addition to family, ministry and writing, Dave gets to play and sing the “good 'ol songs” for nursing home residents as he develops a music performance business, D2Music LLC. He also hosts a blog where he welcomes your comments on this book as well as other religious or political ideas you want to discuss: DiscipleWorldview.blogspot.com.