Competing Schemas Within the American Liberal Democracy: An Interdisciplinary Analysis of Differing Perceptions of Church and State(8 Washington College Studies in Religion, Politics, and Cultur)

Competing Schemas Within the American Liberal Democracy is a compelling book that dispels many of the common myths concerning Church and State. This book shows that how one approaches the subject of religion and politics largely determines what types of conclusions one will draw. Shannon Holzer is not concerned with creating a polemic. Instead, he shows that the subject of Church and State is much wider in scope than strict separationists would have one believe. When most scholars write on the subject of religion and politics they do so from a single academic discipline. The strength of this book lays in the fact that Dr. Holzer is an accomplished scholar in many different academic disciplines and can approach this complex subject from several different areas of inquiry. In doing so, Dr. Holzer offers a more comprehensive approach to the subject. This book makes use of the many relevant disciplines regarding Church and State, including: history, political theory, philosophy of religion, epistemology, legal theory, and history. As such, this text can be used in a multitude of subjects. Scholars will find Competing Schemas Within the American Liberal Democracy to be intellectually stimulating while clearly written and easily comprehended. Whether in the classroom or in one's personal library, this book is necessary for those who are interested in the highly contentious and often misunderstood subject of Church and State.

About the Author :
Shannon Holzer has earned degrees in the areas of religion, philosophy of religion and ethics, and religion, politics, and society. He received his undergraduate degree in religion from Wayland Baptist University in Hawaii. His area of interest was biblical studies. Dr. Holzer then earned his M.A. in philosophy of religion and ethics from BIOLA University's Talbot School of Theology. He received his Ph.D. in religion, politics, and society fom Baylor University's J.M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies. He has published as a public academic in popular journals as well as in legal journals and peer reviewed publications. Dr. Holzer is a sought after speaker on the subject of church and state, just war theory, and natural law. During his time as a professor, he has taught graduate level and undergraduate courses on world religions, religion and politics, epistemology, religious epistemology, Christian history and thought, philosophy of god, ancient philosophy, analytic philosophy, logic, and ethics.

Review :
"I've known Shannon Holzer for a long time, having had the privilege of having him as a graduate student. Shannon is very well-educated and informed about the central issues in religion, politics, and society, and he is passionate to speak to these issues from a Christian point of view. He also is hungry to train others how to think about these crucial issues. If we are honest, it becomes clear that there is almost nowhere we can go to get training in this area of life. Thus, what Dr. Holzer offers is a rare gift to the church. I am happy to recommend his ministry to you." J. P. Moreland, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University "Shannon Holzer is a highly productive scholar and indefatigable philosophical defender of religious freedom and the culture of life in a society overrun with relativism, pragmatism, and self-serving political correctness. He is one of a handful of scholars whose defense of theistic natural law stands against the cultural tide of a narcissistic antinomianism that eschews moral accountability and values personal convenience and unbridled freedom over the intrinsic good of human life from conception onward." Bruce Gordon, Associate Professor of History and Philosophy of Science, Houston Baptist University "Shannon Holzer's work on religion and politics is an important contribution to what has become a contentious debate in American culture. Even if you find yourself disagreeing with Dr. Holzer, you will become a more informed citizen by listening and understanding the viewpoint that he ably defends." Francis J. Beckwith, Professor of Philosophy and Church-State Studies, Baylor University