A Pentecostal Political Theology for American Renewal

"This is a breakthrough book in US Christian political theology, from a fresh and unexpected Pentecostal perspective. Studebaker's extraordinarily rich theological reflection brings the Pentecostal tradition's emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit into political theology in exceedingly fruitful ways. Integrated with the theology, the book is very well-informed and well-researched in relation to both the details and the big picture of US public life, including both domestic and foreign policy issues. Along the way Studebaker offers cogent critiques of current pop and scholarly US Christian political theologies, including Anabaptist, Radical Orthodoxy, and Augustinian, Christian Right and Left. Many particular judgments can be challenged. But there is no denying that this book is a major new contribution to US Christian political theology and should be read by all Christians." (David P. Gushee, Distinguished Professor of Christian Ethics and Director, Center for Theology & Public Life, Mercer University, USA; Vice President, American Academy of Religion ) "In a richly prophet book, Studebaker underscores the significant resources of the Holy Spirit (and the Pentecostal community in which they are celebrated) for living in the cities of both Jerusalem and Babylon. Rejecting both the Platonic asceticism that caused Christians to abandon the world, on the one hand, as well as 'the triumphalism and presumption' of the Prosperity Gospel on the other, Studebaker rightly calls for a rich and balanced engagement with American culture by Christians with an eye to transformation and human flourishing. What has emerged from such an engaging effort is nothing less than a solid re-affirmation of what has been so long neglected: that is, the God of redemption is none other than the God of creation. I highly recommend this book!" (Kenneth J. Collins, Professor of Historical Theology and Wesley Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary, USA; author of "Power, Politics and the Fragmentation of Evangelicalism")

The volume proposes and develops a Pentecostal political theology that can be used to address and reframe Christian political identity in the United States. This narrative provides the foundation for a political theology that speaks to the issues of Christian political identity and encourages Christian political participation. This book argues that Christians have a stake in the sustainability and success of core cultural values of the West in general and America in particular. Steven M. Studebaker considers Western and American decline from a theological and, specifically, Pentecostal perspective. The volume proposes and develops a Pentecostal political theology that can be used to address and reframe Christian political identity in the United States. 
Studebaker asserts that American Christians are currently not properly engaged in preventing America’s decline or halting the shifts in its core values. The problem, he suggests, is that American Christianity not only gives little thought to the state of the nation beyond a handful of moral issues like abortion, but its popular political theologies lead Christians to think of themselves more as aliens than as citizens. This book posits that the proposed Pentecostal political theology would  help American Christians view themselves as citizens and better recognize their stake in the renewal of their nation. The foundation of this proposed political theology is a pneumatological narrative of renewal—a biblical narrative of the Spirit that begins with creation, proceeds through Incarnation and Pentecost, and culminates in the new creation and everlasting kingdom of God. This narrative provides the foundation for a political theology that speaks to the issues of Christian political identity and encourages Christian political participation.