IVP Resources for the 2024 Election Season

Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor by Caleb E. Campbell (Available July 2, 2024)

Caleb E. Campbell’s Disarming Leviathan addresses one of the most pressing issues in American Christianity today: the rise of Christian nationalism. Rather than taking a purely confrontational approach, Campbell calls for a compassionate, understanding engagement with those who hold nationalist views. The book focuses on building bridges rather than burning them, encouraging readers to approach their "Christian nationalist" neighbors with love, empathy, and the grace found in the teachings of Christ. Campbell combines personal narratives, historical context, and theological insights to outline a path for Christians seeking to dismantle nationalist ideologies while maintaining relationships rooted in love.

Key Takeaway: Disarming Leviathan is essential reading for Christians who are struggling with the influence of nationalism in their communities. Campbell’s balanced approach offers both practical steps for conversation and a theological framework that reminds believers of the centrality of love and humility in all forms of engagement.

Citizenship Without Illusions: A Christian Guide to Political Engagement by David T. Koyzis (Available November 26, 2024)

In Citizenship Without Illusions, David T. Koyzis tackles the challenges of political engagement for Christians, advocating for a nuanced approach that transcends the divisiveness of modern politics. Koyzis emphasizes that Christian political engagement should be driven not by ideological devotion but by a commitment to love and justice. Through historical examples and contemporary analysis, he explores how Christians can faithfully fulfill their civic responsibilities without becoming overly tied to any particular political party or movement. The book offers readers a refreshing, nonpartisan perspective on voting, citizenship, and moral discernment in the political realm.

Key Takeaway: This guide is a valuable resource for Christians who want to engage politically without compromising their faith. Koyzis offers a realistic and principled approach to politics, encouraging believers to prioritize their identity in Christ over any political allegiance.

Faithful Politics: Ten Approaches to Christian Citizenship and Why It Matters by Miranda Zapor Cruz (Available August 20, 2024)

Miranda Zapor Cruz’s Faithful Politics provides an overview of ten theological approaches to Christian political engagement, each grounded in different traditions and historical contexts. Recognizing the diversity within Christianity, Cruz highlights how different faith convictions can lead to varying political conclusions, and she encourages readers to appreciate the complexity of political participation in a polarized society. The book invites Christians to reflect on their own political views in light of Scripture and tradition, and to engage in politics in ways that reflect Christ’s love, justice, and humility.

Key Takeaway: Faithful Politics is an invaluable tool for Christians who seek a deeper understanding of the different ways Christians have engaged with politics throughout history. Cruz’s book helps readers to form a more thoughtful, reflective approach to their political responsibilities, avoiding simplistic answers or divisive rhetoric.

The Religion of American Greatness: What's Wrong with Christian Nationalism by Paul D. Miller (Available in paperback October 8, 2024)

In The Religion of American Greatness, Paul D. Miller presents a thorough critique of Christian nationalism, carefully distinguishing it from healthy patriotism. Drawing on his background as a political theorist and a former White House staffer, Miller argues that Christian nationalism poses a serious threat to both democracy and the integrity of Christian witness. He emphasizes that while patriotism can be a positive expression of love for one’s country, Christian nationalism conflates faith and national identity in a way that distorts the gospel. Miller calls Christians to a more balanced, biblically-grounded political engagement that honors constitutional ideals while remaining faithful to the kingdom of God.

Key Takeaway: This book is a timely and necessary response to the rise of Christian nationalism. Miller’s careful, thoughtful critique will help Christians understand the dangers of merging faith and politics in unhealthy ways, while offering a vision for a more faithful political witness.

Compassion (&) Conviction: The AND Campaign's Guide to Faithful Civic Engagement by Justin Giboney, Michael Wear, and Chris Butler (Available July 21, 2020)

Compassion (&) Conviction is the AND Campaign’s guide to navigating the complex world of political engagement without succumbing to tribalism. Giboney, Wear, and Butler argue that Christians should neither compromise on biblical values nor disengage from political participation, but rather engage the political arena with both conviction and compassion. The authors emphasize the need for Christians to advocate for justice, human dignity, and moral clarity in ways that transcend the usual left-right divide. The book offers practical advice for Christians seeking to maintain their witness in an often hostile political environment, encouraging them to focus on love, truth, and justice.

Key Takeaway: This guide provides Christians with the tools they need to navigate political engagement in a polarized society. By emphasizing both compassion and conviction, the authors show that it is possible to engage politically while remaining faithful to the teachings of Christ.

The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor by Kaitlyn Schiess (Available September 8, 2020)

Kaitlyn Schiess’s The Liturgy of Politics explores how Christian spiritual practices can shape political engagement. Schiess contends that the church’s political involvement is often unconsciously shaped by cultural habits and political forces, rather than by the gospel. In response, she calls for a return to historic Christian practices—such as prayer, confession, and communal worship—that form believers’ hearts and minds in ways that align with the kingdom of God. Schiess emphasizes that these liturgical practices are not just for personal piety but have the power to transform political engagement, urging Christians to see their political life as an extension of their discipleship.

Schiess also argues that Christians must be aware of the formative power of media and other secular "liturgies" that shape our views and behaviors. She provides practical steps for engaging in politics in ways that reflect Christ's love for our neighbors, particularly the marginalized and oppressed.

Key Takeaway: The Liturgy of Politics is a compelling read for Christians who seek to ground their political involvement in spiritual formation rather than partisan loyalty. Schiess challenges readers to critically examine how their political habits are being shaped by secular forces and offers a gospel-centered approach to political engagement that is deeply rooted in Christian practices.

Concluding Assessment

These six books reflect the growing interest in how Christians engage politically in today's polarized society. Each author brings a unique perspective to the challenges of political involvement, whether it is addressing the rise of Christian nationalism, advocating for a more compassionate and conviction-filled engagement, or exploring the theological roots of political action. For readers who are navigating the complexities of faith and politics, these books offer practical, theological, and spiritual guidance that is grounded in a deep commitment to biblical principles and the common good.