Evangelicals In The Public Square

In this work, J. Budziszewski examines evangelical political thought over the past fifty years through four key figures--Carl F. H. Henry, Abraham Kuyper, Francis Schaeffer, and John Howard Yoder--to argue that, in addition to Scripture, the evangelical political movement should be informed by the tradition of natural law. David L. Weeks (Azusa Pacific University) responds on Henry, William Edgar (Westminster Seminary) responds to the Schaeffer section, John Bolt (Calvin Seminary) comments on Kuyper, and Ashley Woodiwiss (Wheaton College) offers remarks on the Yoder portion. Jean Bethke Elshtain (University of Chicago) provides the afterword, summarizing the dialogue and offering her own observations. In addition, the book includes an introduction by Michael Cromartie of the Ethics and Public Policy Center.

Although history shows that evangelicals have consistently engaged in politics, the pattern of their engagement has been checkered. Evangelicals in the Public Square offers a brief history of evangelical political thought over the past fifty years, assessing the theological, political, and ethical reflections of four key founders of evangelical political perspectives: Carl F.H. Henry, Abraham Kuyper, Francis Schaeffer, and John Howard Yoder. Beyond this review, Budziszewski recommends that the evangelical political cause be informed by the tradition of natural law. Expert respondents - David Weeks, William Edgar, John Bolt, Ashley Woodiwiss, and Jean Bethke Elshtain - offer perceptive commentary on the evangelical thinkers under review.

Provocatively argues that concealing Christian identity in American public life is the best way to maintain faithful witness and integrity.

Despite talk of a "naked public square," religion has never really lost its place in American public life. As the twenty-first century opened, it was re-emerging in unexpected and paradoxical ways. Religious institutions were considered for expanded roles in welfare and education, at the same time that the limits of religious pluralism—as, for example, in the relation of Islam to American values—became a question of urgent public concern. Religion Returns to the Public Square;Faith and Policy in America explores how and why religion has to be mixed up with American politics. Uncovering philosophical, historical, legal, and social roots of this relationship, these essays go beyond hot-button issues to reflect on the current interactions and future possibilities of religion and politics in America.

Rowan Williams on critical contemporary issues in his final book as Archbishop of Canterbury.

America's political landscape is experiencing dangerous polarization and fragmentation, with the extremes pulling the country apart. Voices on the left and right clash over different worldviews, definitions of America, and what it means to be an American citizen. The levels of incivility and hostility lead some to invoke the language of a cold civil war or even a looming civil war: one that could split the country in two. Is there any way to step back from this dangerous precipice? Political philosopher Jim Belcher shows that this is not merely a binary opposition between conservativism on the right and liberalism on the left, but also between conflicting visions of order and freedom on both sides. Through his unique quadrant framework, Belcher traces the people and movements in each position, examines their underlying narratives, and articulates their respective contributions and dangers. This quadrant framework not only reveals how polarization divides us but also shows us how to move beyond the right-left stalemate. At the core of the competing visions are the seeds of a new vital center, a robust and surprising model that has the ability to transcend political tribalism and bring America back together again before it is too late.

This study shows that Evangelicals have played a more important role in U.S. foreign affairs than is generally acknowledged. After exploring how the political theology of this movement has structured Evangelical thought and action in global affairs, the book examines how Evangelicals have approached global poverty, relations with Israel, and a variety of other foreign policy initiatives. In view of the increasing political advocacy of Evangelical groups, the book concludes by offering recommendations for strengthening Evangelical global engagement.

Religious liberty is America's first freedom. But in recent years, challenges to religious liberty have abounded. For example, some claim that religious freedom promotes intolerance and bigotry, while others contend religious freedom condemns people to hell. And others weaponize religious liberty for culture warring. Nevertheless, evangelicals believe that religious liberty is fundamentally a matter of human dignity; thus, religious liberty is a right we must preserve for all people. This book will explore how evangelical anthropology, cosmology, and eschatology offer the most stable basis for religious freedom. Secular and Roman Catholic theories may positively contribute to religious liberty, but the evangelical model is superior because it answers fundamental questions left unanswered in other models.