Future of Faith in American Politics, The: The Public Witness of the Evangelical Center
In this important book David Gushee gives the lie to the sorry myth that Evangelicals are all right-wing extremists. Not only does he show that many are politically progressive, but also that most of them are actually or potentially political moderates with a strong biblical conscience. --George Hunsinger, Princeton Theological SeminaryIn an election year, we badly need this careful, reasoned reflection on how Christians should confront the pressing moral issues of our time. Gushee offers a refreshingly balanced point of view. --Philip Yancey, Author and editor-at-large ofChristianity TodayThe Future of Faith in American Politicschallenges Jim Hightower's famous maxim that the only things in the middle of the road are yellow stripes and dead armadillos. Gushee offers here a cogent and balanced agenda for evangelical activism, a most welcome addition to this important conversation. --Randall Balmer, Professor of American religious history at Barnard College, Columbia UniversityGushee offers a valuable survey of Evangelical subgroups and their varied responses to some of the most significant and divisive ethical issues of our time. It is a timely response to questions that demand informed and immediate attention in the academy and the pulpit. --Bill J. Leonard, Dean and Professor of Church History, Wake Forest University Divinity SchoolWill there be a kinder, gentler, wiser Evangelical ethos in the future--less strident, rigid, politically entrenched, and reactive, and more thoughtful, robust, politically independent, and constructive? If so, I believe it will develop in large part because of David Gushee and the new/renewing identity articulated in this important book. --Brian D. McLaren, Author (brianmclaren.net)Excellent. Carefully researched, lucidly argued, urgently important. A must read; for anyone interested in American evangelical political engagement today. --Ronald J. Sider, President, Evangelicals for Social ActionGushee makes a strong case for an emerging evangelical middle; in American politics. For that middle to become more than an occasional, aggregate voice, however, its constituents will have to take more seriously than they do now the responsibilities of citizenship and government. Today, that middle lacks leaders in government and the political process with the comprehensive agenda Gushee advocates. --Jim Skillen, President, The Center for Public JusticeYou must read this book. Why? It not only explains who the players are in an evolving religious and political awakening occurring within the evangelical world, but it also explains the ideas, conflicts, and controversies that are making news. --Richard Cizik, Vice President for Governmental Affairs, National Association of EvangelicalsThe Future of Faith in American Politicsoffers a cogent review of contemporary political engagement among evangelical Protestants. David Gushee's description of an emerging evangelical center displays the diversity of this engagement, while his advocacy for such a center reveals its vitality. This book deserves to be taken seriously by evangelicals and non-evangelicals alike. --John C. Green, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, University of Akron