1
Research Paper: Proposal and Annotated Bibliography Assignment
Vanessa Taylor
School of Divinity, Liberty University
CLED 720: Biblical and Theological Foundations of Education
Dr. John Cartwright
September 7, 2025
2
Thesis Development
General Topic
Christian Worldview
Research Topic
The Influence of the Christian Worldview on Ethical and Political Decision-Making in
Contemporary Society
Research Question
How does the Christian worldview influence ethical and political decision-making in the public sphere,
particularly regarding issues such as social justice, religious liberty, and policymaking?
Thesis Statement
The Christian worldview significantly shapes ethical and political decision-making in the public
sphere by grounding approaches to social justice in biblical conceptions of human dignity,
framing debates on religious liberty around the protection of conscience and worship, and
informing policymaking through moral principles that seek to balance individual rights with the
common good.
Annotated Bibliography
Bellah, R. N. (1967). Civil religion in America. Daedalus, 96(1), 1–21.
Bellah (1967) explains how Americans often treat patriotism and national traditions
almost like a religion, with rituals, symbols, and shared beliefs. This “civil religion” helps
unify the country but also shapes how public life connects with religious values. This
work is useful for showing how religion—whether explicitly Christian or culturally
adapted—shapes public life and political unity. It supports the thesis by illustrating how
religious frameworks influence civic values and national ethics.
Brueggemann, W. (1978). The prophetic imagination. Fortress Press.
Campbell, D. E., & Putnam, R. D. (2010). American grace: How religion divides and unites us.
3
Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 49(2), 279–281.
Campbell and Putnam’s (2010) study provides extensive data and analysis on how
religion shapes U.S. politics, community life, and social views. Religion divides (e.g.,
conservatives vs. secular liberals) but also unites because people build friendships and
families across faith lines. Participation in religious life tends to increase engagement in
politics, volunteer service, and charitable work, while also encouraging acceptance of
diversity within society. This aligns with the thesis by demonstrating that the Christian
worldview fosters both active political involvement and a sense of social responsibility.
Guth, J. L., Green, J. C., Kellstedt, L. A., & Smidt, C. E. (2006). Religion and American public
opinion: The case of civil liberties. Political Research Quarterly, 59(3), 323–335.
https://doi.org/10.1177/106591290605900302
Guth et.al (2006) examine the influence of Christian beliefs on perspectives regarding
civil liberties, offering an in-depth look at how faith traditions intersect with public
opinion about democratic rights. Their findings suggest that highly committed Christians
—particularly conservatives—are often less inclined to endorse broader civil liberties for
groups whose values conflict with their own. Strong religious devotion frequently
emphasizes moral order and social stability over individual freedoms, though views
differ among Christian traditions. This study underscores a key tension in the Christian
worldview’s political impact: it upholds moral convictions and social order but can also
resist liberal efforts to expand rights. This nuance strengthens the thesis by showing that
Christian ethical frameworks both support and complicate democratic policymaking.
Haskell, D. M., Flatt, K. N., & Burgoyne, S. (2016). Theology matters: Comparing the traits of
growing and declining mainline Protestant church attendees and clergy. Review of
Religious Research, 58(4), 515–541. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13644-016-0255-4
Hauerwas, W. (1981). A community of character: Toward a constructive Christian social ethic.
University of Notre Dame Press.
4
Hauerwas (1981) contends that Christian communities are called to embody distinct
moral practices, presenting a way of life that influences public ethics as well as personal
spirituality. His work supports the thesis by showing that Christian moral convictions
provide a framework for ethical decision-making in society. He emphasizes that biblical
teachings on community and virtue extend into social and political life, shaping
collective values and public engagement. This is significant because it highlights how the
Christian worldview actively informs cultural and political debates, reinforcing the idea
that many political disagreements are ultimately rooted in competing moral and ethical
perspectives.
Hunter, J. D. (1991). Culture wars: The struggle to define America. Basic Books Joireman, S.
F. (2009). Church, state, and citizen : Christian approaches to political engagement. Oxford
University Press.
Joireman (2009) brings together political scientists who explore how different Christian
traditions have interacted with government and politics. It looks at seven traditions—
Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed, Anabaptist, Anglican, Evangelical, and Pentecostal—and
explains how their history and beliefs shape their views on the role of the church in
society, government, and civic life. The chapters highlight where these traditions agree,
such as recognizing human weakness, the need for limited government, and the idea
that politics cannot solve everything. At the same time, the book also shows where they
differ in theology and politics. Overall, this source supports the thesis by demonstrating
the diversity of Christian political thought while underscoring its consistent influence on
public policy, governance, and civic responsibility.
Lindsay, D. M. (2007). Faith in the halls of power: Religious identity and elite decision-making.
Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 46(3), 273–288.
Lindsay (2007) studies Christian leaders in politics, business, and culture. He finds they
use faith in different ways when making decisions—from private conscience to shaping
5
an organization’s values. Many also form networks with other Christian leaders to
support each other. This aligns with the thesis by providing evidence of Christianity’s
role in shaping policymaking and organizational ethics at the highest levels of society.
Marsden, G. M. (1997). The outrageous idea of Christian scholarship. First Things, 77, 23–31.
McGraw, B., & Wright, C. (2015). Religious liberty and the American political tradition.
Journal of Church and State, 57(1), 1–21
McGraw & Wright (2015), trace the history of religious liberty debates in the U.S. They
explain how Christian ideas helped shape laws and court rulings, while also showing the
ongoing tension between protecting faith expression and keeping church and state
separate. This supports the thesis by illustrating how the Christian worldview has
historically framed discussions of conscience, worship, and religious freedom in
policymaking.
Niebuhr, R. (1932). Moral man and immoral society. Charles Scribner’s Sons.
Niebuhr (1932) argues that individuals may act selflessly, but groups (like governments
or nations) often act out of self-interest. Religion can inspire moral ideals, but it cannot
fully overcome political power struggles. This source tempers the thesis by showing the
limits of Christian ethics in political life, highlighting the tension between moral
aspirations and the realities of collective decision-making.
Rawls, J. (1993). Political liberalism. Columbia University Press
Rawls (1993) argues that in societies with diverse beliefs and values, laws and policies
should be grounded in principles that all citizens can reasonably accept, rather than
being based on specific religious doctrines. He introduces the concept of “public reason”
as a framework to ensure fairness, equality, and mutual respect in pluralistic
democracies. This approach highlights the challenge of balancing individual religious
convictions with the common good in a diverse society. For the thesis, Rawls’ work
provides an important contrast, showing how secular frameworks attempt to guide
6
ethical and political decisionmaking in ways that can accommodate multiple worldviews,
including the Christian perspective, while maintaining a fair and just public sphere.
Rieffer, B. A. (2006). Religion, politics and human rights: Understanding the role of Christianity in
the promotion of human rights . Human Rights and Human Welfare , 6(1).
Rieffer presents a thoughtful critical essay that examines Christianity’s complex role in
promoting human rights in the modern era. Engaging theological, historical, and political
perspectives, she situates Christian activism within the broader frameworks of liberalism
and international relations, while highlighting the growing public significance of religious
voices. The essay argues that Christian organizations and values been pivotal in affirming
human dignity, advancing democracy, and shaping a moral vision that upholds universal
human rights This article strongly supports the thesis by showing how the Christian
worldview grounds human dignity and justice, influencing political decisions and global
advocacy for rights.
Stassen, G. H., & Gushee, D. P. (2003). Kingdom ethics: Following Jesus in contemporary context.
InterVarsity Press.
Taylor, C. (2007). A secular age. Harvard University Press.
Thiemann, R. F. (1996). Religion in public life: A dilemma for democracy. Georgetown
University Press.
Volf, M. (2011). A public faith: How followers of Christ should serve the common good. Brazos
Press.
Wallis, J. (2005). God’s politics: Why the right gets it wrong and the left doesn’t get it. Harper
One.
Woodberry, R. D., & Smith, C. S. (1998). Fundamentalism et al.: Conservative protestants in
America. Annual Review of Sociology, 24, 25–56.
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.24.1.25
7
In this article, Woodberry & Smith (1998) give an overview of conservative Protestant
beliefs and their influence on U.S. politics and culture. It shows how this group has
shaped debates over family, social issues, and political divisions, while also pointing out
the need to better define terms like “evangelical” and “fundamentalist.” This
strengthens the thesis by showing how particular Christian subgroups shape U.S.
political divisions and policymaking, demonstrating the worldview’s concrete impact on
social and cultural issues.
