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Introduction to Political Science: A Christian Perspective
We are political beings and our lives are shaped by political institutions. Being a good citizen involves understanding these institutions and how they can be used to promote the common good. Christians further believe these institutions are integral to God's created order, intended by God to promote justice and help people flourish. Christians thus have good reason to be informed about political science as they seek to be ambassadors for Christ in a diverse society.
Introduction to Political Science: A Christian Perspective is an accessible guide to the study of politics. Written for students who may not have any prior knowledge about political life, this textbook provides a nonpartisan introduction to the key concepts, institutions, and policies that shape politics today. Fred Van Geest draws on a variety of sources and examples to present a balanced Christian perspective on political science. Christians, he argues, are called to engage in political action in order to advance public justice, even though full shalom is ultimately the work of God alone.
IVP Instructor Resources include an Instructor's Guide and Student's Study Guide.
Introduction to Political Science: A Christian Perspective is an accessible guide to the study of politics. Written for students who may not have any prior knowledge about political life, this textbook provides a nonpartisan introduction to the key concepts, institutions, and policies that shape politics today. Fred Van Geest draws on a variety of sources and examples to present a balanced Christian perspective on political science. Christians, he argues, are called to engage in political action in order to advance public justice, even though full shalom is ultimately the work of God alone.
IVP Instructor Resources include an Instructor's Guide and Student's Study Guide.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published July 4, 2017
5 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Fred Van Geest
1 bookFred Van Geest (PhD, Queen's University) is professor of political science at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was professor of political studies and environmental studies for eleven years at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, and also previously taught at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon. He has served as an instructor and curriculum developer for Crossroad Bible Institute, a discipleship and advocacy ministry for prisoners and their families. Van Geest's research and teaching interests include comparative politics, public administration and the intersection of Christianity and politics.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 12, 2022
This is a helpful high school/college textbook. It assumes 0 knowledge of not just political science, but how governments work at all.
It avoids being partisan at all costs and critiques right and left consistently. You will only find this slightly “left leaning” if you don’t believe that the Bible consistently tells us to care for the poor, orphan, and widow.
If you want to know the basics of political science and where to start, then this is a great resource. If you are more advanced, or even have an intermediate understanding of politics than this will be below your level.
It avoids being partisan at all costs and critiques right and left consistently. You will only find this slightly “left leaning” if you don’t believe that the Bible consistently tells us to care for the poor, orphan, and widow.
If you want to know the basics of political science and where to start, then this is a great resource. If you are more advanced, or even have an intermediate understanding of politics than this will be below your level.
August 24, 2017
Fred Van Geest is professor of political science at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. Van Geest received his PhD from Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada. Van Geest specializes in the research of the intersection between Christianity and politics, and shares a special teaching interest in comparative politics and public administration.
Introduction to Political Science: A Christian Perspective is an engaging and informative book that assumes no prior knowledge of the field of study. Van Geest provides “an overview of many of the different areas of study in politics and includes an exploration of the main ideas that are a part of political life, the institutions that make it function well, some of the main policies that are important to citizens, and international aspects of politics” (p. ix). The book is comprised of four parts—(1) Foundational Values and Ideas for Government, (2) Institutions, (3) Policy, and (4) Foreign Policy and International relations—and organized with both intentionality of use and effectiveness in mind.
Van Geest’s approach is to be admired. The purpose of the book is to help readers become more informed-participant citizens in the debates and discussions surrounding government choice and appeal (p. ix). The interaction therein was balanced and fair, and Van Geest (as much as I could tell as a lay reader) consistently takes a nonpartisan position. That said, it is clear that Van Geest is most concerned with presenting a Christian perspective (hence, the subtitle of the book), and he does an excellent job guiding the reader towards an appropriately Christian end—shalom. Van Geest rightly (in my opinion) sees politics as a blessing from God, as they essentially allow the world to function while collectively making decisions that affect larger populations.
As an interested reader with little prior knowledge, I have to say that Van Geest is a gifted communicator and skilled writer. He made politics fun and actually encouraged me to be more involved, politically speaking. The organization of the book is also very well done. Each chapter opens with learning objectives, contains helpful charts and graphs, and closes with key concepts, study and discussions questions, and a section for further exploration. It’s clearly designed as an introductory textbook and it accomplishes that role with excellence. My only concern (and a possible shortcoming) is that the subject index appeared to be much shorter (only 3 pages) than a book of this caliber should require for future reference.
Introduction to Political Science: A Christian Perspective by Fred Van Geest is an important book that will be widely used in political science programs around the country. I learned a ton from this book and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a primer to field of study. That said, I will likely still consult Politics According to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture by Wayne A. Grudem as a first-stop resource. Grudem is much more comprehensive and issue focused, whereas Van Geest seems to be far more operational focused. The goal of the two are much different, and because of that they complement each other well and should both occupy shelf space. In the end, Van Geest comes warmly recommended!
Introduction to Political Science: A Christian Perspective is an engaging and informative book that assumes no prior knowledge of the field of study. Van Geest provides “an overview of many of the different areas of study in politics and includes an exploration of the main ideas that are a part of political life, the institutions that make it function well, some of the main policies that are important to citizens, and international aspects of politics” (p. ix). The book is comprised of four parts—(1) Foundational Values and Ideas for Government, (2) Institutions, (3) Policy, and (4) Foreign Policy and International relations—and organized with both intentionality of use and effectiveness in mind.
Van Geest’s approach is to be admired. The purpose of the book is to help readers become more informed-participant citizens in the debates and discussions surrounding government choice and appeal (p. ix). The interaction therein was balanced and fair, and Van Geest (as much as I could tell as a lay reader) consistently takes a nonpartisan position. That said, it is clear that Van Geest is most concerned with presenting a Christian perspective (hence, the subtitle of the book), and he does an excellent job guiding the reader towards an appropriately Christian end—shalom. Van Geest rightly (in my opinion) sees politics as a blessing from God, as they essentially allow the world to function while collectively making decisions that affect larger populations.
As an interested reader with little prior knowledge, I have to say that Van Geest is a gifted communicator and skilled writer. He made politics fun and actually encouraged me to be more involved, politically speaking. The organization of the book is also very well done. Each chapter opens with learning objectives, contains helpful charts and graphs, and closes with key concepts, study and discussions questions, and a section for further exploration. It’s clearly designed as an introductory textbook and it accomplishes that role with excellence. My only concern (and a possible shortcoming) is that the subject index appeared to be much shorter (only 3 pages) than a book of this caliber should require for future reference.
Introduction to Political Science: A Christian Perspective by Fred Van Geest is an important book that will be widely used in political science programs around the country. I learned a ton from this book and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a primer to field of study. That said, I will likely still consult Politics According to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture by Wayne A. Grudem as a first-stop resource. Grudem is much more comprehensive and issue focused, whereas Van Geest seems to be far more operational focused. The goal of the two are much different, and because of that they complement each other well and should both occupy shelf space. In the end, Van Geest comes warmly recommended!
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June 9, 2022Книгата е хубава, много ясно и добре написана, без всякакви крайности и зависимости.
Тя е точно това, което казва заглавието - начално въведение, което няма да даде повече. В същото време оснзовите са добре налети и човек, който желае да види общата картина може да я получи. Към нея на свой ред е добавена християнска оценка - или по-скоро оценки (мн. ч.) понеже различните виждания по всеки въпрос за честно изброени.
За определени хора това множе да е много полезна книга.
Тя е точно това, което казва заглавието - начално въведение, което няма да даде повече. В същото време оснзовите са добре налети и човек, който желае да види общата картина може да я получи. Към нея на свой ред е добавена християнска оценка - или по-скоро оценки (мн. ч.) понеже различните виждания по всеки въпрос за честно изброени.
За определени хора това множе да е много полезна книга.
February 19, 2019
Book was sent to me by mistake from publisher. I tried to return it and they said keep it. Since I am a Political Science Major I thought hey why not.
It is a fairly good introductory book. It does, in my opinion, lean slightly to the left of center in some of its arguments. But it does give you plenty of things to think about.
It is a fairly good introductory book. It does, in my opinion, lean slightly to the left of center in some of its arguments. But it does give you plenty of things to think about.
November 3, 2023
Excellent
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews