Beyond Left and Right: Helping Christians Make Sense of American Politics

by Amy E. Black

The 2008 U.S. presidential election is already heating up, fueled by debates about religion and politics, and dividing people of faith. Many Christians want to engage in politics but feel underequipped and overwhelmed. Wheaton College political scientist Amy E. Black believes Christians must become politically educated, not stereotyped and polarized. Beyond Left and Right offers a complete guide to the inner workings of American politics, equipping readers to think intelligently and to actively engage politics with their faith. Black is intentionally unbiased and avoids fleeting hot-button issues, ensuring the staying power of Beyond Left and Right, even after the election dust settles. Recommended for Christians and students interested in faith and politics.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Religion

254 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2008

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be pretty helpful, but I would offer two cautions up front. One, if you don't need a Political Science 101 primer, the bulk of the book will probably be redundant for you. Two, if you expect Amy Black to pronounce in favor of one side of a major issue or another, you'll be disappointed. She's painstakingly nonpartisan (which I appreciated).

The aim of the book is to equip Christians to participate meaningfully in the political process. Black emphatically debunks any notion that Christians must ally themselves with a party line, and, in fact, she consistently urges Christians to dialogue respectfully with coreligionists (and others) from whom they differ ideologically -- rather than attacking their faith or questioning their sincerity. In one chapter, she uses poverty as an example of an issue upon which Christians can embrace common ends while disagreeing on the means of attaining them. I'm not sure everyone would agree with her that most people of good faith agree on basic political ends while advocating different means, but I found the distinction helpful.

In particular, I found the bits on the legislative process, approaches to making voting decisions, and basic distinctions in mainstream political ideologies very helpful. The book never made me feel growly and defensive, which was a big plus for me.

[Timothy Hoiland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Amy Black is a political science professor at Wheaton College whose work has focused on American politics and political behavior. She previously taught at Franklin & Marshall College in beautiful Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In Beyond Left and Right: Helping Christians Make Sense of American Politics (Baker), Black aims to equip Christians to participate in politics in a thoughtful, educated way. If, like me, you didn’t exactly pay close attention during American Government class in high school, this book will help you understand how our government actually works, beyond the ubiquitous flash in the pan political sound bites...

- See more at: http://tjhoiland.com/wordpress/2012/0...

[Jolyn]

I have not finished the book but have already come across lots of good background information about "politics". Terminology is explained. Polling is discussed and what the numbers can and can not tell you.

The author repeatedly cautions Christians to not equate God with a political party or even a perspective on a particular issue. This book was published in 2008 and things have only gotten more divisive and ugly in politics since then (the recent Trump/Clinton presidential campaign and reaction to Donald Trump's election being the perfect example) making the warning more needed.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening. An easy read yet makes you think hard about life and the way we view it through the lens of politics. Black's optimism of bringing politics to the dinner table is nail biting idea; her unbiased opinion leaves us with a difficult task to instate such an idea. If you no nothing of American politics, this book is for you.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beyond Left and Right is thought provoking and informative. It gives a good overview of our political system. Politics is compromise.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far so good...