Body Broken: Can Republicans and Democrats Sit in the Same Pew

Can Christians Be Political Activists without Hating Each Other?

As the next presidential election comes into view, Americans are deciding where to stand on key issues. The church has often been as politically divided as the culture, but Charles Drew offers an alternative for people who care deeply about their faith, about Christian harmony, and about the church's calling in the world. In this updated and revised version of A Public Faith (NavPress 2000), Drew helps Christians develop practical biblical convictions about critical social and political issues. Distinguishing between moral principle and political strategy, Body Broken equips believers to maintain the unity of the church while building their political activism upon a thoughtful and biblical foundation. Drew helps Christians of all political persuasions understand how to practice servanthood, cooperation, and integrity in today's public square.

"To succeed in making a God-honoring impact in the world, the Christian must understand the nuances of Scripture and acknowledge the complexity of the endeavor. Charles Drew's Body Broken is a tremendous aid to those who seek to promote the will of God." -- Matthew Bennett "Founder and President, The Christian Union"

"This is a gem of a book and is easily one of the best things I've read on Christian citizenship and public responsibility. Not only that, but it's written in an incisive, clear, pastoral tone and the measured tenor couldn't be more appropriate. A fabulous book it is, and I'll be commending it to one and all." -- Garnette Cadogan "Freelance writer"

"Over the past thirty years we have seen a renewed concern among American evangelicals for political and social concerns. Much of this has been long overdue and valid. But Charles Drew, in this important book, raises urgent and sobering cautions. Written by someone with a keen mind and a pastor's heart, he fears important truths have been compromised and the good news of the gospel has been politicized. This is bad news for the church and for society. This book is timely and we need to heed the course corrections the author recommends." -- Michael Cromartie "Vice President, Ethics and Public Policy Center, Washington, DC"

"This book is a much-needed and practical guide in a much-ignored sphere of Christian discipleship. Can evangelicals be constructive in politics without being combative with each other? Charlie Drew gives us the principles that will help us build our country, our witness, and the spiritual maturity of the church." -- Dr. Joel C. Hunter "Senior Pastor, Northland A Church Distributed, Orlando, FL"

"Charles Drew has given us something that is lacking in so much discussion about the Church and politics: insight. He sees that those on the religious right and left need to understand how much they each imitate, rather than challenge, the culture they seek to change. Both need a whole new way of framing the issues. The worn-out and extreme vocabularies of both have proven unproductive and even irresponsible for Christians who understand their Bible enough to know that the City of Man is shaped by the City of God it will become. Christians are not those who react and polarize, but those who live in grace and who are faithfully present in their callings." -- Dr. Joseph "Skip" Ryan "Chancellor, Redeemer Seminary, Dallas, TX"

"Charles Drew provides practical answers to the Christian political and cultural environment. It should be a standard text in Christian schools' civic curriculum." -- John Seel, PhD "President, Transcend Entertainment Former Headmaster of The Cambridge School of Dallas"

"This is clearly not a 'Republican' or 'Democrat' book. Rather, it is a self-consciously Christian and biblical approach. Since Christians (including myself!) have trouble thinking beyond ready-made political identities, this alone makes the book a must-read. A variety of practical considerations are discussed, but its greatest contribution is in helping Christians sharpen their thinking in ways that apply to ANY political topic." -- Rev. Kenneth Shomo "Associate Pastor, New Covenant Church, Virginia Beach, VA"

I cannot imagine a handier guide for anyone who struggles to navigate the treacherous waters of politics, church, and the Christian life in this contentious era. Drawing on his experience as a pastor of several diverse congregations, Charles Drew offers timely counsel on the difference between our political engagements as individuals and the proper role of the church, as well as many other vexing issues. Genial and profound, Body Broken belongs on every list of the very best recent books on Christianity and politics." -- David Skeel "S. Samuel Arsht Professor of Law, University of Pennsylvania Law School; Ruling Elder, Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA"

"This is a wise and refreshingly moderate book. Political discussions among Christians tend to generate more heat than light. This book generates light I understand both my obligations as a citizen and my obligations as a believer better for having read it." -- The Late William Stuntz "the Former Henry J. Friendly Professor of Criminal Law, Harvard Law School"