Future of Faith in American Politics, The: The Public Witness of the Evangelical Center

361 Pages·2008·1.805 MB·English

by  David P. Gushee

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, McCord Professor of Theology, Princeton
Theological Seminary

The Future of Faith in American Politics challenges 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 University

Gushee 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 School

Will 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)

Gushee 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 seri-
ously 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 Justice

T F F A
HE UTURE OF AITH IN MERICAN
P
OLITICS

T F F
HE UTURE OF AITH
A P
IN MERICAN OLITICS
The Public Witness of the Evangelical Center
David P. Gushee
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY PRESS
© 2008 by Baylor University Press
Waco, Texas 76798
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without the prior permission in writing of Baylor University Press.
Cover Design by Donna Habersaat
Book Design by Ellen Condict
Excerpts from “Moral Formation and the Evangelical Voter.”
Originally authored by David Gushee and Justin Phillips in Journal of
the Society of Christan Ethics 26.2 (2006). Reprinted by permission.
Further permissions found on p. 320.
Gushee, David P., 1962-
The future of faith in American politics : the public witness of the
evangelical center / David P. Gushee.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-60258-071-8 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Christianity and politics--United States. 2. Evangelicalism--United
States. 3. United States--Church history. I. Title.
BR516.G87 2008
261.70973--dc22
2007040739
Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper with a
minimum of 30% pcw recycled content.
To Ron Sider—
Pioneering voice of evangelical conscience, mentor, model, friend