David Gushee argues convincingly that there is in U.S. politics an ‘evangelical center’ of voters who do not identify with the politics and religion of either the right or the left. Although evangelical Christians are portrayed by the media as conservatives, Gushee claims that the evangelical movement includes nearly even numbers of voters on the right, in the center, and on the left of the political spectrum. He provides portraits of the major figures in each of the three camps, outlines the core convictions of the adherents, and analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of each group’s positions. He suggests that the evangelical center is poised for growth; this book could be its manifesto.
Tabella dei contenuti
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Part I – Evangelicals and Public Life: Across the Spectrum
1. Clearing the Ground
2. The Evangelical Right
3. The Evangelical Left
4. The Emerging Evangelical Center
Part II – Finding the Center: Key Issues for Evangelical Public Engagement
5. Torture and Human Rights
6. Marriage and the Law
7. Creation Care and the Climate Change Debate
8. Evangelicals and War
Conclusion: A Way Ahead for Evangelicals and American Culture
Appppendices
1. ‘For the Health of the Nation’
2. An Analysis of ‘For the Health of the Nation’
3. ‘An Evangelical Declaration against Torture’
4. How to Read ‘An Evangelical Declaration against Torture’
5. Climate Change: An Evangelical Call to Action
6. ‘An Urgent Call to Action’
7. Rules for Evangelical Politics
Notes
Further Reading
Index of Names and Terms
Subject Index
Circa l’autore
David P. Gushee (Ph.D. Union Theological Seminary) is Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics at Mercer University.