Pulpit and Politics

Clergy in American Politics at the Advent of the Millennium

Edited by Corwin E. Smidt

Published by: Baylor University Press

Imprint: Baylor University Press

Pulpit and Politics presents the most current and comprehensive examination of the religious beliefs and political behavior of American clergy at the advent of the new millennium. Based on data gathered...

Sales Date: 2004-10-06

Paperback
ISBN 9781932792133
372 Pages

$44.99

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ISBN 9781602580428
372 Pages

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Description
Contents
Authors
Praise

Pulpit and Politics presents the most current and comprehensive examination of the religious beliefs and political behavior of American clergy at the advent of the new millennium. Based on data gathered during the 2000 Presidential election, this study examines the relationship between belief and behavior, theology and politics, religious commitments and social activism from African-American, Baptist, Jewish, Mainline Protestant, Roman Catholic and other religious groups. Pulpit and Politics is a treasure trove of historical, comparative and statistical information about the political behavior of America's clergy.

Contents
Acknowledgments
Contributors

Part 1: Introduction
1. Theological and Political Orientations of Clergy within American Politics: An Analytic and Historical Overview
--Corwin E. Smidt

Part 2: Politics of Mainline Protestant Clergy
2. American Baptist Convention
--Sherrie Steiner and Donald Gray
3. Disciples of Christ
--Sue E. S. Crawford, Melissa M. Deckman, and Laura R. Olson
4. Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
--Daniel Hofrenning, Janelle Sagness, and L. DeAne Lagerquist
5. Presbyterian Church (USA)
--William (Beau) Weston
6. Reformed Church in America
--Corwin E. Smidt
7. United Methodist Church
--John C. Green

Part 3: Politics of Evangelical Protestant Clergy
8. Southern Baptist Convention
--James L. Guth
9. Churches of Christ
--Mel Hailey and Timothy C. Coburn
10. Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
--Jeff Walz and Steve Montreal
11. Presbyterian Church in America
--Brent F. Nelson and Beverly A. Gaddy
12. Christian Reformed Church
--James M. Penning
13. Church of the Nazarene
--Linda Beail and Greg Crow
14. Assemblies of God
--John C. Green
15. Evangelical Free Church of America
--Kedron Bardwell
16. Mennonite Church USA
--Lyman A. Kellstedt and James L. Guth

Part 4: Beyond the Two-Party Protestant System
17. American Rabbis
--Anand E. Sokhey and Paul A. Djupe
18. Roman Catholic Priests
--Ted G. Jelen
19. African Methodist Episcopal Church
--Eric McDaniel
20. Church of God in Christ
--Eric McDaniel
21. Unitarian-Universalist Association
--John C. Green
22. Willow Creek Association
--Lyman A. Kellstedt and John C. Green

Part 5: Conclusion
23. This World Is Not My Home? Patterns of Clerical Involvement in Politics over Time
--Corwin E. Smidt

Notes
Works Cited
Index

CORWIN E. SMIDT is a professor of political science and director of the Paul B. Henry Institute for the Study of Christianity and Politics at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is the coauthor and editor of numerous books including The Bully Pulpit: The Politics of Protestant Clergy, Religion and The Culture Wars: Dispatches from the Field, and the forthcoming The New Religious Order in American Politics.

No scholar has ever attempted to do what Corwin Smidt does. Not only is Pulpit and Politics a historic first, but it also provides a succinct history of each group of clergy, which serves as a cornerstone for understanding their theological and political evolution.
~Charles W. Dunn, author of Faith, Freedom, and the Future: Religion in American Political Culture (2003)

The intersection of religion and politics has always been central to the American experience. This book reports on how clergy from most of the major U.S. denominations view this relationship, paying special attention to how, when, and why these religious leaders have felt compelled to speak out.
~Vanessa B. Beasley, Southern Methodist University, author of You, the People: American National Identity in Presidential Rhetoric (2004)