TY - BOOK AU - Van Geest,Fred TI - Introduction to political science: a Christian perspective SN - 9780830851805 AV - BR115.V217.I587 2017 PY - 2017/// CY - Downers Grove, Illinois PB - IVP Academic, an imprint of InterVarsity Press KW - Christianity and politics KW - Textbooks N1 - 1 and indexes; Foundational values and ideas for government --; What is government? why do we need it? key concepts in the study of politics --; What is a Christian government? should there be one? --; Political ideologies and values --; Institutions --; Structuring government: regime types and liberal democracy --; Structuring government: institutions that make government work --; Political parties, elections, and voting --; Interest groups and other forms of political participation --; Policy --; Funding government: taxation policy --; Social policy --; Economic policy --; Foreign policy and international relations --; Perspectives on international relations --; The United Nations, INGOs, and meeting the needs of the most vulnerable --; Church, state, and Shalom; 2; b N2 - "We are political beings and our lives are shaped by political institutions. Being a good citizen involves understanding these institutions and how they can be used to promote the common good. Christians further believe these institutions are integral to God's created order, intended by God to promote justice and help people flourish. Christians thus have good reason to be informed about political science as they seek to be ambassadors for Christ in a diverse society. Introduction to Political Science: A Christian Perspective is an accessible guide to the study of politics. Written for students who may not have any prior knowledge about political life, this textbook provides a nonpartisan introduction to the key concepts, institutions, and policies that shape politics today. Fred Van Geest draws on a variety of sources and examples to present a balanced Christian perspective on political science. Christians, he argues, are called to engage in political action in order to advance public justice, even though full shalom is ultimately the work of God alone."-- ER -