{"id":45104,"date":"2025-12-03T16:46:18","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T21:46:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/?p=45104"},"modified":"2025-12-18T12:15:02","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T17:15:02","slug":"november-intermission-from-political-theology-to-christmas-buffets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/article\/concise\/november-intermission-from-political-theology-to-christmas-buffets\/","title":{"rendered":"November Intermission: From Political Theology to Christmas Buffets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When I was a teenager (1990s), I loved going to the local chain buffet. Whether it was Piccadilly, Morrison\u2019s, Ryan\u2019s, Golden Corral, or the classic Old Country Buffet, my sixteen-year-old-self loved to pile up the plates and partake of whatever seed-oil saturated stir fry was available. I can think of cross country banquets held at Old Country Buffet where we emptied the ice cream machine. And then there were the weeknights where my dad \u201ccooked\u201d by taking us to the Golden Corral.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With great nostalgia, I can think back to the meals enjoyed next to the steaming trays of food delivered by Sysco Systems. And I can remember seeing the workers on the food line, who three minutes earlier, were smoking by the front door. Just ask your closest Boomer and Gen Xer, and it is likely they know exactly what I\u2019m talking about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In America, chain buffets had a certain vibe, and if you can\u2019t tell that vibe included loads of calories, lots of options, and little to no concern about \u201cclean\u201d eating. I will leave up to you to discuss the legacy of chain buffets, but these restaurants have largely become a thing of the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As many consumers\u2019 reports attest, the COVID pandemic effectively killed all but a few chain buffets. Golden Corral is still hanging on, but Old Country Buffet, Ryan\u2019s, and others are not. Thin profit margins and other cultural pressures saw to it that chain buffets are not the place to invest your money going forward. And for those self-conscious about seed oils or afflicted by celiac or allergic to processed food, they may feel little sadness for the buffet\u2019s demise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, there is something impressive about being able to eat steak, then salad, followed by spaghetti, seafood, and then seven kinds of pie. As my wife has said, when we dine at such fine establishments\u2014there\u2019s still an Amish buffet we visit every summer\u2014\u201cI just want a taste.\u201d And so, in dedication to those who \u201cjust want a taste\u201d of seventeen types of food, we offer this month to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As an homage to the glories of chain buffets, Christ Over All<\/em> is bringing you a month filled with many different delicacies. It will begin with some of the leftovers from November and our inducement to read old books about political theology. But far from just reheating dishes, these opening essays provide fresh introductions to Augustine, Pierre de La Place, and more (Lord willing). Then, after clearing the political plates, we will have essays on leisure, immigration, medieval mysteries, biblical exegesis, and more. This month will even include poetry and one short story that will call for more fiction in 2026. Finally, as we draw near to Christmas, we will finish the month with a handful of advent devotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short, this month is a Christmas buffet. And we hope that you will sit down and eat, regardless of what plate comes next. I can assure you that we have cooked our fries in the purest lard, have removed all GMO starches, and refused any protein that grew up in a lab. In short, we believe the assortment of meats and sweets this month will be wholesome and edifying, and we are excited to spread the table for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And more, we are excited to share a few important announcements as 2025 rolls over into 2026. Check those out below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do the Reading: Selections in Political Theology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Before making those announcements, be sure to consider the selections of political theology offered here. From Brad Green\u2019s overview<\/a> to Marc Minter\u2019s retrieval of Baptist political theology<\/a>, we have wide variety of books you need to know and read. We also have individual essays on important works by Augustine<\/a>, Calvin<\/a>, Luther<\/a>, and Hodge<\/a>\u2014with a few more promised in the days ahead. These older works have been coupled with more contemporary works on religious liberty, the failure of evangelical leaders, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of note, you won\u2019t want to miss Timon Cline\u2019s introduction to the life and work of Huguenot martyr, Pierre de La Place<\/a>. While political theology often focused on the magistrates and the ministers of the state and the church, it really should include the very person in the polis. And importantly, La Place widens our vision to see the way various vocations build up the city and inform our views of politics. So take time to read this essay, as well as all the essays listed below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n