Recommended Reading
Before 9/11, books in international relations often lacked any serious analysis of religion, and 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.
Journey into Islam: The Crisis of Globalization
By Dr. Akbar Ahmed
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.)
Resistance and Control in Pakistan
By Dr. Akbar Ahmed
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 tells the dramatic story of the revolt of the Mullah of Waziristan in northwest Pakistan and places it within the context of movements occurring elsewhere. Using this example, he examines the social structure and operative principles in Muslim societies and scrutinizes the influence of religion in societies undergoing modernization. (Routledge, 2004.)
Islam Under Siege: Living Dangerously in a Post-Honor World
By Dr. Akbar Ahmed
Ahmed employs the language and traditions of Islam to show where it has gone wrong, and he uses both theological and anthropological perspectives to answer questions the West is asking about Islam and its influence. (Polity, 2003.)
Many Globalizations: Cultural Diversity in the Contemporary World
By Peter L. Berger & Samuel P. Huntington, editors
Experts weigh in from specific countries on five continents, assessing globalization’s effects and demonstrating the emergence of a new global culture. Globalization, unlike imperialism, cannot be directed from one country, and its developing culture is carried by the many currents described here. (Oxford University Press, USA, 2003.)
The Desecularization of the World: Resurgent Religion and World Politics
By Peter L. Berger et. al., editors
This collection challenges the increasingly discredited secularization thesis and provides perspectives on how different religions are experiencing a resurgence—and how this resurgence impacts global affairs. (Eerdmans, 1999.)
World of Faith and Freedom: Why International Religious Liberty Is Vital to American National Security
By Thomas F. Farr
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
By 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.)
Buy "Evangelical Christianity and Democracy in Latin America" on Amazon.com.
Spiritual Weapons: The Cold War and the Forging of an American National Religion
By T. Jeremy Gunn
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.)
Freeing God's Children: The Unlikely Alliance for Global Human Rights
By Allen D. Hertzke
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.)
Religion, Terror, and Error: U.S. Foreign Policy and the Challenge of Spiritual Engagement
By Dr. Douglas M. Johnston, Jr.
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.)
Blind Spot: When Journalists Don't Get Religion
By Paul A. Marshall et. al.
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.)
At the Corner of East and Now: A Modern Life in Ancient Christian Orthodoxy
By Frederica Mathewes-Green
Though Eastern Orthodoxy is growing in North America, it largely remains a mystery to most North American Christians. This book explores this first, ancient practice of Christian faith. (Tarcher, 2000.)
Is the Reformation Over?: An Evangelical Assessment of Contemporary Roman Catholicism
By 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.)
Politics of Past Evil: Religion, Reconciliation, and the Dilemmas of Transitional Justice
By Dr. Daniel Philpott
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.)
Revolutions in Sovereignty: How Ideas Shaped Modern International Relations
By Dr. Daniel Philpott
This book explores how the modern system of nation-states was shaped by ideas. It examines the Protestant Reformation’s impact on the Peace of Westphalia and how equality and nationalism ushered in the end of colonialism. (Princeton University Press, 2001.)
Thinking Through Faith: New Perspectives from Orthodox Christian Scholars
By 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.)
One Nation, Divisible: How Regional Religious Differences Shape American Politics
By 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.)
With or Against the World?: America's Role Among the Nations
By James Skillen
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.)
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