Best History of Religion & Politics Books of 2026

Testimony: Inside the Evangelical Movement That Failed a Generation by Jon Ward is a memoir that explores the author's two decades inside and outside the evangelical Christian bubble. Ward sheds light on the troubling political and cultural dimensions of the movement and how it lost its witness by becoming politically captive. With raw honesty and deep insight, he calls those inside and outside conservative Christian circles to embrace truth, complexity, and nuance. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the health of the church and its impact on American life.

The Christ Cure is a comprehensive guide for anyone suffering from PTSD, trauma, and tragedy, and their families. Dr. Tim Murphy, a psychologist, Navy veteran, and former Member of Congress, shares his own experience with depression and how he found inspiration in the life and works of the Apostle Paul. The book offers new insights into how trauma affects us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually and provides a unique path of true restoration. The foundation of biblical pillars for healthy treatment makes this book stand out as a valuable guide for those seeking to heal through faith.

The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt is a thought-provoking book that challenges conventional thinking about morality, politics, and religion. Haidt draws on his groundbreaking research on moral psychology to show how moral judgments arise from gut feelings, not reason. He explains why people with different political beliefs have different intuitions about right and wrong and why each side is right about many of its central concerns. This book is a landmark contribution to humanity's understanding of itself and is highly recommended for anyone interested in understanding the miracle of human cooperation and the curse of our eternal divisions and conflicts.

Culture and identity politics have been significantly influenced by traditional institutions, technology, and pornography. In Strange New World, historian Carl R. Trueman traces the origin of identity politics from the Romantics, Nietzsche, Marx, Wilde, Freud, and the New Left. Trueman explains how the West's obsession with emotional authenticity has weakened our ability to think critically and is undermining the future of our civilization. This Christian social issues book is an excellent resource for individual and small-group study, with thought-provoking application questions at the end of each chapter. The Strange New World Suite, including the Strange New World Video Study and Strange New World Study Guide, can be used together or separately.

The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman is a timely book that offers a deep analysis of modern culture's obsession with identity. Trueman traces the development of the sexual revolution as a symptom of the human search for identity, rather than its cause. He provides clarity to the present, surveys the past, and offers guidance for the future as Christians navigate the ever-changing quest for identity. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the social, cultural, and political convulsions we are now experiencing. Highly recommended for those concerned with sustaining the Christian faith in a rapidly changing culture.

The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism by Daniel G. Hummel offers a comprehensive intellectual-cultural history of dispensationalism, a popular theology that shaped Anglo-American evangelicalism and the larger American cultural imagination. The author traces the origins of dispensationalism and its influence on popular culture, politics, and religion, evaluating its impact on American religion and society. This book is a must-read for students and scholars of American religion and provides a measured and objective evaluation of dispensationalism's impact on evangelicalism.

A Watchman in the Night is a must-read for those interested in American politics and culture. Cal Thomas, a prominent syndicated columnist, takes the reader on a journey through his 50 years of journalism, offering commentary and critique on both sides of the political divide. Thomas's commitment to addressing issues publicly and his unwavering belief in certain values and principles make this book unique. He challenges readers to take the high road and honor civic and religious ideals with compatible behavior. Overall, this book offers incisive, humorous, and corrective commentary on our social, political, and religious conversations.

Counterpunch: An Unlikely Alliance of Americans Fighting Back for Faith and Freedom is a book that offers a strategic action plan for a populist movement in America that goes beyond any political party. Floyd G. Brown explains how peaceful resistance against the immorality and policies of the Radical Left can bring a renewal of liberty, freedom, and biblically based principles back to America. Brown's Counterpunch outlines a practical, biblically based plan for every American that will lead to the renewal of liberty. This book is a must-read for those looking for an alternative to violence and seeking to make a change through peaceful means.

Dark Agenda: The War to Destroy Christian America by David Horowitz is a thought-provoking read that delves into the calculated efforts of the left to create a godless American society. Horowitz argues that the attacks on Christianity and its values threaten all Americans, including Jews like himself, and how the elimination of Judeo-Christian values could lead to the loss of our freedoms. The book traces the history of religious liberty from the Founding Fathers to the present day and reveals how the secular Left's disdain for Christianity has increased over time. Overall, Dark Agenda is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the current political climate and the role of religion in society.

The Coming Christian Persecution by Dr. Thomas Williams is a thought-provoking book that highlights the global persecution of Christians. Williams provides valuable insights into the various forms of persecution faced by Christians in different parts of the world, from violence to public policy. The book also discusses the historical roots of Christian persecution and what it means for the Church and society. The author offers practical advice on how Christians can prepare for what is to come. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Christian social issues and the challenges faced by Christians worldwide.