Letters to an American Christian, by Bruce Riley Ashford

Seminary professor Bruce Riley Ashford longs for Christians to approach political questions with grace, love, and adherence to scriptural principles.  In Letters to an American Christian, he pens a series of letters to a Christian college student who is studying political science and journalism at a major secular university. 

After a discussion of Christianity and culture and the intersection of religion and politics, Ashford coves a bunch of "hot-button issues."  One of his basic assertions is that taking religion out of politics is impossible because everyone is informed by and driven by religious beliefs of one kind or another and the very nature of religion means it will influence our political perspectives.  As Christians, "our words and actions should be characterized by truth and grace."  Throughout the book, he reminds his young correspondent that "one thing American Christians must remember is that we do not have to agree on the minutiae of every single issue or policy matter." 

On the individual issues, Ashford's positions are decidedly conservative (as you might expect for a Southern Baptist seminary professor and minister).  But rather than merely give political talking points, he explains from scripture and Christian tradition the basis for his beliefs.  In most cases, he presents a variety of positions and leaves the question of which is the "Christian" position open to the reader while describing his own. 

Wherever your political and policy inclinations lie on the left-right scale, as Christians we have a commitment to be salt and light in the world.  Raucous debate has its place in certain contexts, but in the life of a Christian love and grace need to provide the context for speaking the truth.  Ashford provides both.  Readers of a conservative or Republican bent will find much to agree with in Letters to an American Christian, but Ashford isn't just giving us an echo chamber.  Even if you agree with him on every point, he gives logical arguments, scriptural references, and solid sources and footnotes for further reflection. 

Readers to Ashford's left might disagree with him, but Ashford's approach and tone are not condemning of other people but respectful of other positions.  Liberal Christians should probably pick this up, if only to be reminded that there are Christians in the world whose conservative principles are based on actual Christian, biblical principles, not on Fox News segments. 


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!