Between Faith and Power examines how Christian groups are grappling with the demands of a pluralistic public square while remaining faithful to their tradition. Using the lenses of social science research and theological analysis, the book examines the successes and failures of these groups as they engage the public square. What emerges are models of Dynamic Engagement that Christian leaders are using to consistently pursue religious liberty across faiths while contributing to the common good.

1. BETWEEN
FAITH AND
POWER
Religious Freedom as Dynamic
Engagement

2. BETWEEN FAITH AND POWER
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AS DYNAMIC ENGAGEMENT
Among leading Christian thinkers,
political engagement is either
unavoidably necessary or
theologically impossible.
Is this a false dilemma?

3. TERTULLIAN
“It is a fundamental human
right, a privilege of nature
that every man should
worship according to his
own convictions”
To Scapula (A.D. 212)

4. REINHOLD
NIEBUHR
Political behavior among
large religious groups
almost inevitably veers
into a power-play rooted
in self-interest.
-Moral Man and Immoral Society
(1932)

5. 1998 INTERNATIONAL
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ACT
ANTI-SHARIA MOVEMENT
CASE ONE
AMERICAN EVANGELICALS
Campaigns Compared
Courtesy: Christian Science Monitor

6. CASE TWO
COPTIC EVANGELICALS
Coptic Evangelicals “flip
the script” on religious
mobilization by
advocating for rights
across religious and
social lines.
Field research with farmers and religious leaders in Qalyubia, Egypt (Walter Ratliff, 2015)

7. CASE THREE
ADVOCACY IN VIETNAM
• The Institute for Global
Engagement educates
officials about Vietnamese
law and international human
rights standards.
• It provides ongoing
engagement with Vietnamese
officials regarding religious
freedom and human rights
issues.

8. THE FOUR C’S OF
DYNAMIC ENGAGEMENT
CONSCIENCE ● CONSISTENCY
COMMON GOOD ● CROSSING OVER

9. CONSCIENCE
Christian leaders should emphasize within
their own communities the central role of
the universal free conscience that appears
in scripture, theology, and tradition, and the
implications of this in a pluralistic context.

10. CONSISTENCY
Effective Christian public engagement in
defense of religious liberty was consistent
in its emphasis on freedom and justice
across religious and nonreligious
boundaries.

11. COMMON GOOD
Effective religious freedom initiatives
emphasized the role of faith groups
serving the common good through
participation in civil society.

12. CROSSING OVER
Effective religious freedom advocacy
groups integrated their work with others
across religious and social identity lines.

13. SPECIAL
THANKS
A big thank you to my “dream team” of
advisors from Georgetown University on this
project.
Michael J. Kessler, J.D., Ph.D.
Managing Director of the Berkley Center for
Religion, Peace and World Affairs
Thomas F. Farr, Ph.D.
President, Religious Freedom Institute
Timothy S. Shah, Ph.D.
Senior Director, Religious Freedom Institute

14. BETWEEN
FAITH AND
POWER
Religious Freedom as Dynamic
Engagement