Faithful Presence

The Promise and the Peril of Faith in the Public Square

By: Bill Haslam

Narrated by: Bill Haslem

Two-term governor of Tennessee Bill Haslam reveals how faith--too often divisive and contentious--can be a redemptive and unifying presence in the public square.

As a former mayor and governor, Bill Haslam has long been at the center of politics and policy on local, state, and federal levels. And he has consistently been guided by his faith, which influenced his actions on issues ranging from capital punishment to pardons, health care to abortion, welfare to free college tuition. Yet the place of faith in public life has been hotly debated since our nation's founding, and the relationship of church and state remains contentious to this day--and for good reason. Too often, Bill Haslam argues, Christians end up shaping their faith to fit their politics rather than forming their politics to their faith. They seem to forget their calling is to be used by God in service of others rather than to use God to reach their own desires and ends.

Faithful Presence calls for a different way. Drawing upon his years of public service, Haslam casts a remarkable vision for the redemptive role of faith in politics while examining some of the most complex issues of our time, including:

• partisanship in our divided era;
• the most essential character trait for a public servant;
• how we cannot escape "legislating morality";
• the answer to perpetual outrage; and
• how to think about the separation of church and state.

For Christians ready to be salt and light, as well as for those of a different faith or no faith at all, Faithful Presence argues that faith can be a redemptive, healing presence in the public square--as it must be, if our nation is to flourish.

Wisdom!

Mr. Haslem speaks much wisdom at a crucial time. Highly recommend this book to all people of faith.!

perfect message for our current time

This is a very thoughtful, encouraging, message about how to engage politically in a civil way.

An unusual tale of balance & humility in politics

It was refreshing to hear Bill's recounting of his experience in political life from such a balanced and humble perspective, and this serves as not just a great book on politics and faith but on leadership as well. In an age where hopelessness is pushed at us on all sides, this book is a must-listen to be reminded that we can still make a difference and as Christians love our neighbors without falling prey to divisive partisanship.

Speaks to our generation

Bill Haslam hits the nail on the head and strikes an incredibly balanced tone that brings a message of hope and faith to the market place we need the faithful presence of Christians in this world to be the salt and light to be in the world not of the world. Christians make up the majority of the people who volunteer their time and give of their money to secular causes as well as their churches. The world would look entirely different if as people claim they want Christianity excluded from the marketplace of ideas and service. It is freedom OF religion not freedom FROM religion.

America Needs More of This

Bill Haslam does a wonderful job in this book. America needs more of this kind of leadership in the political arena.