Home
/
RELIGION & LIBERTY ONLINE
/
Food for Thought: Andrew Sullivan and Retrofitted Christianity
Food for Thought: Andrew Sullivan and Retrofitted Christianity
Dec 11, 2025 5:30 PM

The Hugh Hewitt/Andrew Sullivan kerfuffle has been mentioned a few times on the PowerBlog (here and here, for example), and while the dust has largely settled from that event, the issues that it raised continue to be addressed in various corners of the blogosphere. The most interesting (and mentary that I’ve read on Sullivan and his new book is by the Rev. Dr. Mark Roberts, who serves as Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California. Roberts’ critique is well worth a read in full, but here’s a sample to get you going:

I find Sullivan’s thoughts about Christianity fascinating for several reasons. One is that he epitomizes something I’d call “Retrofitted Christianity.” What do I mean by this? If you look up “retrofit” in the dictionary, one definition reads: “To provide with parts, devices, or equipment not in existence or available at the time of original manufacture.” If you retrofit a classic car, for example, you might give it a new engine that wasn’t available when the car was first built. So retrofitted Christianity is a version of classic faith that includes new parts that weren’t there at first. Some people, like Andrew Sullivan, think this is a better or even more authentic version of the faith. Others, like me, for example, are concerned that the retrofitted version of Christianity exemplified by Sullivan lacks some essential parts, even though it gets some things right.

Comments
Welcome to mreligion comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
RELIGION & LIBERTY ONLINE
Verse of the Day
  Commentary on Today's Verse   Commentary on Deuteronomy 30:15-20   (Read Deuteronomy 30:15-20)   What could be said more moving, and more likely to make deep and lasting impressions? Every man wishes to obtain life and good, and to escape death and evil; he desires happiness, and dreads misery. So great is the compassion of the Lord, that he has favoured men, by...
Verse of the Day
  Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 In-Context   8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a haremThe meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain. as well-the delights of a man's heart.   9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom...
Verse of the Day
  Commentary on Today's Verse   Complete Concise   Chapter Contents   Believers are to dedicate themselves to God. (1,2) To be humble, and faithfully to use their spiritual gifts, in their respective stations. (3-8) Exhortations to various duties. (9-16) And to peaceable conduct towards all men, with forbearance and benevolence. (17-21)   Commentary on Romans 12:1-2   (Read Romans 12:1-2)   The apostle having closed the...
Verse of the Day
  Hebrews 4:12 In-Context   10 for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from their works,Or labor just as God did from his.   11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.   12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword,...
Verse of the Day
  Commentary on Today's Verse   Commentary on 1 Peter 4:7-11   (Read 1 Peter 4:7-11)   The destruction of the Jewish church and nation, foretold by our Saviour, was very near. And the speedy approach of death and judgment concerns all, to which these words naturally lead our minds. Our approaching end, is a powerful argument to make us sober in all worldly...
Verse of the Day
  Commentary on Today's Verse   Commentary on Psalm 32:8-11   (Read Psalm 32:8-11)   God teaches by his word, and guides with the secret intimations of his will. David gives a word of caution to sinners. The reason for this caution is, that the way of sin will certainly end in sorrow. Here is a word of comfort to saints. They may see...
Verse of the Day
  Commentary on Today's Verse   Commentary on Ephesians 6:1-4   (Read Ephesians 6:1-4)   The great duty of children is, to obey their parents. That obedience includes inward reverence, as well as outward acts, and in every age prosperity has attended those distinguished for obedience to parents. The duty of parents. Be not impatient; use no unreasonable severities. Deal prudently and wisely with...
Verse of the Day
  Commentary on Today's Verse   Commentary on Luke 2:8-20   (Read Luke 2:8-20)   Angels were heralds of the new-born Saviour, but they were only sent to some poor, humble, pious, industrious shepherds, who were in the business of their calling, keeping watch over their flock. We are not out of the way of Divine visits, when we are employed in an honest...
  An unexpected error has occurred. We are in the process of fixing the problem. Sorry. ...
Verse of the Day
  Commentary on Today's Verse   Commentary on 1 Peter 3:8-13   (Read 1 Peter 3:8-13)   Though Christians cannot always be exactly of the same mind, yet they should have compassion one of another, and love as brethren. If any man desires to live comfortably on earth, or to possess eternal life in heaven, he must bridle his tongue from wicked, abusive, or...
Related Classification
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.mreligion.com All Rights Reserved