The global expansion of evangelical Christianity is one of the most important religious developments in recent decades, but its political dimension is little studied by the comparative literature on religion and world politics. Paul Freston’s book is a pioneering comparative study of the political aspects of the new mass evangelical Protestantism of sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and parts of Asia. The book examines twenty-seven countries from the three major continents of the Third World, burrowing deep into the specificities of each country’s religious and political fields, but keeping in view the need for cross-continental comparisons. The conclusion looks at the implications of evangelical politics for democracy, nationalism and globalisation. This unique account of the politics of global evangelicalism will be of interest across disciplines and in many different parts of the world.
Editorial Reviews
Review
“This is an important and ambitious book.” International Journal of African Historical Studies
“The total effect of Freston’s book is powerful and needs to be recognized by anybody researching Evangelicalism and politics in the developing world.” History of Religions
“This carefully researched volume provides both a general review of the literature on evangelicals and politics and a strong critique of theory that posits a necessary link between evangelicals and any single orientation…. A particular strength of the book is the critical treatment of the ambiguous role of evangelicals in civil society…. In short, Freston has produced a valuable set of case studies that provide an essential starting point for scholars interested in the comparative study of evangelical religion and politics.” Journal of Church and State
“A superb pioneering contribution. The concluding chapter is an insightful examination of the implications of evangelical politics for democracy, nationalism, and globalization. Highly recommended.” Choice
“Paul Freston provides readers with the first systematic account of the evangelical Christians and politics in the developing world… a valuable publication that pushes discussion of a controversial topic much further along than current debates often do…Freston has opened a window to a comprehensive view.” Edward L. Cleary, International Bulletin of Missionary Research
Book Description
A pioneering study of evangelical politics in the Third World as a whole, comparing Africa, Asia and Latin America.
About the Author
Paul Freston is Lecturer in Sociology at the Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil.
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