The Christian and Ideology
The last few decades of American politics have seen a widespread increase in polarization and partisanship. Much of this is explained by the prevalence of ideology in today’s public square. Adherents to opposing worldviews claim an inability to agree on so much as...
2020-2021 Call for Essays
AEI's Initiative on Faith & Public Life is pleased to announce its sixth annual call for faculty essays, which is being co-sponsored by Faith & Economics, the journal of the Association of Christian Economists. We will be accepting submissions until Monday,...
Dr. Peter Meilaender Named 2020-2021 Visiting Professor
Dr. Peter Meilaender, Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Department of History and Political Science at Houghton College (NY), has been named the 2020–2021 Visiting Professor for AEI’s Initiative on Faith & Public Life.
Announcing: 2020-2021 Young Scholar Award Recipients
AEI’s Initiative on Faith & Public Life is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2020–2021 Young Scholar Awards. Six undergraduates will pursue rigorous, original research over the course of the 2020–2021 academic year under the guidance of a faculty advisor and experts at AEI.
Peace in the Midst of Politics
It’s no secret that politics has been growing more contentious, and the events of this year have seriously exacerbated that trend. In the light of the coronavirus pandemic and the tragic murder of George Floyd, our public square is filled with suspicion, vitriol, and...
Desiring Community: A Lesson from Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Like many students who attended a Christian college or university, I read Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian Community by Dietrich Bonhoeffer for the first time during my freshman year of college. At the time, I was several weeks into a study away...
The Architecture of Civil Society
In recent years, scholars and policy-makers have shown a renewed interest in civil society. The call to revitalize and empower the mediating institutions that stand between the national government and the individual––from churches to charities to bowling leagues––has been taken up by a diverse array of organizations, intellectuals, and politicians.
What the Reformation Teaches Us About Political Conflict
At first glance, the period of history leading up to the Reformation and our current political moment seem to have little in common. While 16th century Europe was a pseudo-theocratic feudal society, ours is a modern, liberal nation-state, and increasingly secular. What can the Reformation teach us about political conflict in the US today?
Politics for the Spiritual Good
How can we engage in politics without losing our souls? It’s a question that’s been weighing on my mind in this turbulent time. When the public square is rocked by deadly disease, racism, unrest, and party polarization, it might appear that the only way to stay sane and free of darkness and despair is to withdraw into the safety of one’s private life.
