The Lottery

In this reading, Os considers the sociological and governmental impact of the theme of ‘covenantalism’ in the formation of the US Constitution.

This value for covenant, a mutually binding civil pledge, was integral to ancient Jewish culture, was born out of the Mosaic Covenant established at Mt Sinai, and was expressed nearly three millennia later in 1517 at the beginning of the Reformation. Shaped by this movement in Europe, in the 18th century, a nascent United States envisaged freedom as government by the people, of the people, and for the people, as President Lincoln later described it, with direct roots in a robust understanding of covenant.

Though this reading is not currently available for purchase, similar themes of covenant and freedom are discussed to great depth in Os’ book, Last Call for Liberty, which can be ordered at Amazon.com.

With a Foreword by Senior Fellow Os Guinness, this story addresses the question of the truth-claims of religious faith in the face of the pressures of the modern world. Since the Enlightenment many religious leaders have attempted to “improve on” God or to make God “relevant” to the times.

Dr. Guinness makes a passionate case for truth. Hawthorne’s story, he argues, raises questions about the authority and public dimensions of faith that are vital not just for Christians, but for all the citizens of the United States and the West at large. This selection is sure to provoke thought and discussion.

Study guide included.

“The Lottery,” Jackson’s famous short story, has fascinated readers for years with its unexpected and chilling ending. Included with the story of a troubling but powerful modern essay, “The Lottery Revisited” by Kay Haugaard, which is about her  experiences in teaching this story though the years and her students’ increasing acceptance of the unthinkable. Together they raise hard questions about subjectivity and truth in a free society.