Recommended Reading
Before 9/11, books in international relations often lacked any serious analysis of religion. At the same time, books in theology and religious studies often lacked any serious analysis of international relations. Thankfully there is now a burgeoning literature at the intersection of faith and international affairs. Below is a selection of books and monographs written by Contributing Editors to The Review of Faith & International Affairs and by staff and fellows at the Center on Faith & International Affairs at the Institute for Global Engagement.
Religion, Terror, and Error: U.S. Foreign Policy and the Challenge of Spiritual Engagement
Religion, Terror, and Error outlines why cultural engagement and understanding religion is crucial for American foreign policy in an increasingly multipolar world. It gives advice for integrating religion into foreign policy practice, explains why the rational-actor model needs to be replaced, and offers "a new paradigm for U.S. leadership." (Praeger, 2011.)
Religion, Identity, and Global Governance: Ideas, Evidence, and Practice
Patrick James, editor
Religion, Identity, and Global Governance explores the relationship between religious identity and politics, the potential of religion in peace-building efforts, and the policy challenges stemming from religious resurgence worldwide. (University of Toronto Press, 2010.)
Read more: Religion, Identity, and Global Governance: Ideas, Evidence, and Practice
Prospects and Ambiguities of Globalization: Critical Assessments at a Time of Growing Turmoil
The essays in this volume reach beyond merely describing globalization to explore trends among institutions and cultures that are radically reshaping our world. This book includes Christian perspectives on the role of religion in globalization and urges a deeper understanding of human connectedness. (Lexington Books, 2009.)
International Religious Freedom Advocacy
H. Knox Thames, Chris Seiple, Amy Rowe
International Religious Freedom Advocacy is a unique guidebook for engagement. It provides helpful insights into the tangled web of international organizations, international law, and non-governmental organizations that work to advance religious freedom worldwide. (Baylor University Press, 2009.)
The New Shape of World Christianity: How American Experience Reflects Global Faith
In Noll's newest book, he examines how Christian faith, as practiced in the U.S., influences global Christianity as much as more direct church work abroad. (IVP Academic, 2009.)
Read more: The New Shape of World Christianity: How American Experience Reflects Global Faith
Journey into Islam: The Crisis of Globalization
Journey into Islam recounts the travels of young Americans as they encounter Muslims from all walks of life in places like Damascus, Karachi, and Jakarta. Ahmed led the tour with the goal of encouraging dialogue and building understanding between cultures in an increasingly globalized world. (Brookings, 2008.)
World of Faith and Freedom: Why International Religious Liberty Is Vital to American National Security
American foreign policy needs to recognize the formative role religion plays in global affairs, and it can rely on America's historical record of religious freedom as an example of pluralism in a democratic public square. (Oxford University Press, USA, 2008.)
Evangelical Christianity and Democracy in Latin America
Paul Freston, editor
This volume includes case studies of how a growing evangelicalism impacts politics in societies traditionally dominated by Catholicism. Latin American scholars contribute first-hand accounts of religion's role in developing countries. (Oxford University Press, USA, 2008.)
Read more: Evangelical Christianity and Democracy in Latin America
Spiritual Weapons: The Cold War and the Forging of an American National Religion
Gunn argues that American civil religion strengthened after WW II as a response to Communism's atheist impulses. Today, our public faith is still shaped in reaction to world events, and it continues to influence U.S. foreign policy. (Praeger, 2008.)
Read more: Spiritual Weapons: The Cold War and the Forging of an American National Religion
Blind Spot: When Journalists Don't Get Religion
Today's secular media often misunderstand news stories with important religious dimensions or fail to take religious factors seriously when reporting. This book uses case studies of particular new stories to show how religion's role was misrepresented or overlooked, and it offers suggestions for journalists and readers seeking to get it right. (Oxford University Press, USA, 2008.)
Is the Reformation Over?: An Evangelical Assessment of Contemporary Roman Catholicism
Mark Noll, Carolyn Nystrom
This book documents a growing spirit of cooperation between Catholics and evangelicals, noting significant changes since Vatican II and common causes between the two historically antagonistic groups. (Baker Academic, 2008.)
Read more: Is the Reformation Over?: An Evangelical Assessment of Contemporary Roman Catholicism
Thinking Through Faith: New Perspectives from Orthodox Christian Scholars
Aristotle Papanikolaou, Elizabeth Prodromou, editors
A younger generation of scholars reflects on the traditions and tenets of Orthodox Christianity, situating their faith in an American context. (St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2008.)
Read more: Thinking Through Faith: New Perspectives from Orthodox Christian Scholars
One Nation, Divisible: How Regional Religious Differences Shape American Politics
Mark Silk, Andrew Walsh
Though religious Americans are often lumped together, the authors find that there are significant regional religious differences. They examine religious diversity in eight regions and how this diversity impacts national issues. (Rowman & Littlefield, 2008.)
Read more: One Nation, Divisible: How Regional Religious Differences Shape American Politics
Religious Freedom in the World
An updated survey of countries, ranked according to religious freedom factors. This survey includes country profiles, comparative analyses, and essays explaining trends. (Rowman & Littlefield, 2007.)
Globalization and Grace (God and Globalization - Volume 4)
This is the fourth volume in the series "God and Globalization." The series addresses the theological, philosophical, and social implications of globalization, which has often been defined only in economic terms. This volume argues for a Christian theology that can engage the world and its powers, offer a social ethic, and dialogue with other faiths. (Continuum, 2007.)
Read more: Globalization and Grace (God and Globalization - Volume 4)
Freeing God's Children: The Unlikely Alliance for Global Human Rights
Hertzke chronicles evangelical Christians' increasing activism against global religious persecution, Sudanese atrocities, North Korean gulags, and sex trafficking. He notes how disparate activists are unexpectedly aligning to address global concerns. (Rowman & Littlefield, 2006.)
Read more: Freeing God's Children: The Unlikely Alliance for Global Human Rights
Politics of Past Evil: Religion, Reconciliation, And the Dilemmas of Transitional Justice
Daniel Philpott, editor
This collection includes contributions from theologians, political scientists, and philosophers—all exploring how theologically-grounded reconciliation can help countries overcome deep-seated conflict and promote justice. (University of Notre Dame Press, 2006.)
Read more: Politics of Past Evil: Religion, Reconciliation, And the Dilemmas of Transitional Justice
With or Against the World?: America's Role Among the Nations
In order to understand post-Cold War U.S. foreign policy, we must uncover the roots of America's civil-religious nationalism and understand how American history impacts our views of terrorism, just war doctrine, and international institutions. (Rowman & Littlefield, 2005.)
Read more: With or Against the World?: America's Role Among the Nations
The Global Resurgence of Religion and the Transformation of International Relations: The Struggle for the Soul of the Twenty-First Century
What will pluralism look like in the twenty-first century? This book examines how the global resurgence of religion will impact the key concepts and theories of international relations as the modern world is redefined. (Palgrave Macmillan, 2005.)
Resistance and Control in Pakistan
In this book, one of the world's leading authorities on Islam examines what is happening in Muslim-majority countries today and assesses the causes of conflict and political upheaval. He does this by telling the dramatic story of the revolt of the Mullah of Waziristan in northwest Pakistan and by placing it within the context of other movements occurring elsewhere in the Islamic World. From this he examines the social structure and operative principles in Muslim societies and scrutinizes the influence of religion in a society that is undergoing modernization. (Routledge, 2004.)
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