To pay by check for soft-cover or PDF versions of Turn Neither... or my book on Joshua, contact me at DSchansb [at] ius [dot] edu. To pay for those two by credit card, go to the Alertness Books website. In the case of Turn Neither..., you can also obtain it through Amazon.com.
1.) Turn Neither to the Left nor to the Right: A Thinking Christian's Guide to Politics and Public Policy (447 pages, including endnotes and indices; Alertness Books, 2003; soft-cover for $15.00 or in PDF for $5.00; soft-cover through Amazon, Laissez-Faire Books, etc. for $16-17)
“When should Christians advocate government solutions? The Bible does not provide a clear answer to this question. The traditions of the church as well as the winds of economic, cultural, and political change have served to muddy the waters further. However, one thing is crystal clear: Christians have not spent enough time thinking about the proper role of government in a Christian worldview.” -- D. Eric Schansberg
Schansberg takes his readers on a tour of government in the Bible and in Christian history. He establishes a framework for discussing public policy and turns to issues of “social morality,” then “economic justice,” and finally, abortion. In proposing a consistent Christian philosophy of government, he repeatedly asks whether Christians should actively advocate government as an ethical and practical means to godly ends. The analysis is thorough and his conclusions may be surprising. One thing is sure. You will not look at politics and public policy the same way again!
“There is need for a more discerning generation of Christians to call for a listing of political consequences, intended or otherwise, of costs and benefits. Christians in public life, constrained by the Third Commandment, must think through the issues of the day more carefully than others…Schansberg provides [Christians] with an evangelical political philosophy, a more cogent framework for the discussion of Christian political practice. How, for instance, can a Christian politician expound so convincingly on the primacy of the individual in a womb but be unable to relate the same primacy to an individual in an economy?” -- T. Craig Ladwig, Indiana Policy Review Foundation
"[They] could learn much from Eric Schansberg's Turn Neither to the Right nor to the Left (Alertness Books, 2003), which, as its accurately descriptive subtitle says, is A Thinking Christian's Guide to Politics and Public Policy." -- Marvin Olasky, World Magazine
“A clear message comes through: we should not over-emphasize action through the civil government, as opposed to church activity, family faithfulness, and personal piety.” --Timothy Terrell, director of the Center for Biblical Law and Economics (http://www.chalcedon.edu/articles/0407/040701-2terrell.php)
Chapter 2: "Christians, the Bible, and the Role of Government"
A note on defining "morality" and "justice"
Endnotes for Chapters 6 and 7 (for Dr. King's classes at Dordt College)
An article of mine that nicely summarizes the arguments of the book (in Journal of Markets and Morality)
Excerpts from my book published by the Indiana Policy Review
2.) Inheriting Our Promised Land: Lessons in Victorious Christian Living from the Book of Joshua (204 pages; Alertness Books, 2003; in soft-cover for $10.00 or in PDF for $5.00)
Why study the book of Joshua-- or any book in the Old Testament, for that matter? How can Israel’s move into the Promised Land be relevant to Christian living today? Schansberg makes it abundantly clear in his exposition of Joshua. From the preparations for battle, to the battles in the Promised Land, to the apportionment of the land, he continuously reveals aspects of God’s character, applications for “victorious Christian living,” and even, the ministry of Christ. It’s obvious that Joshua is one of his favorite books in the Bible-- and after reading this, you’ll probably agree!
Chapter 16: A Tale of Two (Types of) Cities (on Joshua 20's "Cities of Refuge")
3.) Poor Policy: How Government Harms the Poor (234 pages; Westview Press, 1996; a few hardbacks are still available for $20)
Most books on poverty focus on how government tries to assist the poor with welfare programs. Instead, in Poor Policy, Professor Schansberg uses Public Choice economics to illustrate how special interest groups advocate policies which benefit themselves while inadvertently hurting the poor. As the author documents, this occurs in product and labor markets-- from farm subsidies to protectionist trade policies, from drug prohibition to the government's provision of public education. In addition, Poor Policy provides a thorough analysis of welfare policies, focusing on the intractable problems with contemporary efforts. The author argues for radical welfare reform-- to the extent possible, in the direction of private charities seeking individual solutions centered on discernment and where necessary, "tough love". The book also includes statistical information on income distribution and redistribution, a discussion of discrimination and three chapters on issues relevant to international poverty. Poor Policy is eminently readable and accessible to the broad audience of those interested in public policy. It provides concise and intuitive explanations for a vast array of public policies whose impact on the poor is usually ignored.
Chapter 4: "Reversing Robin Hood: How to Redistribute Income to the Non-Poor"
4.) Thoroughly Equipped: A Discipleship Curriculum (DC), co-authored with Kurt Sauder-- Men's Minister at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY; contact me for more info
got meat?
--DC is a 21-month guided self-study of Bible study, Bible reading, and Bible memorization in a small-group format. (Up front, you only commit to the first 10-week semester.) Over the course of the 21 months, group members will read the entire Bible, memorize 70 verses, and study the topics that will help him be a more effective leader. DC is designed to enhance a man’s walk with Christ and empower him to be a more effective leader within the kingdom of God.
--Pre-requisites: a hunger to walk more closely with Christ and an availability to attend weekly meetings and do four to five hours of homework per week.
DC101: The Foundation—basic doctrine and Bible study tools
DC201-202: Building on the Foundation—standard applications (e.g., work, temptation, stewardship)
DC301: An Intro to Building Leaders—a closer look inside the heart and building teaching skills
DC401-403: Building Leaders—deeper applications (e.g., false religions, church history) and thornier doctrinal issues (e.g., free will vs. pre-destination, eschatology)
full Table of Contents (for topics covered)
Leader's Guide for DC: Intro and DC101
video overview and testimonies
New groups will start through Southeast Christian every Fall and Spring. If you’re looking for some meat in your spiritual diet, consider joining us! Contact Eric (DSchansb [at] ius [dot] edu) for more info.
Indiana University Southeast is not responsible for the contents of this
page. Questions, comments,
and/or suggestions should be addressed to Eric Schansberg at (812) 941-2527 or
DSchansb [at] ius [dot] edu.