"Moral values" dominated the post-election headlines in 2004. Analysts pointed to exit polls, strong turnout among evangelicals, and controversy over gay marriage as evidence that the election had been decided along religious lines. Soon, however, this explanation was called into question. In A Matter of Faith, distinguished scholars go beyond the headlines to assess the role of religion in the 2004 election. Were issues such as stem cell research really more influential than the economy and Iraq? Did deeply religious Americans necessarily vote Republican? Was the morality factor really a dramatic new development? David E. Campbell and his colleagues examine the religious affiliations of voters and party elite and evaluate the claim that moral values were decisive in 2004. The authors analyze strategies used to mobilize religious conservatives and examine the voting behavior of a broad range of groups, including evangelicals, African-Americans, and the understudied religious left. This rich perspective on faith and politics is essential reading on a critical aspect of American politics. Contributors include John Green (University of Akron; Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life), James Guth (Furman University), Sunshine Hillygus (Harvard University), Laura Hussey (University of Baltimore), John Jackson (University of Southern Illinois), Scott Keeter (Pew Research Center for the People and the Press), Lyman Kellstedt (Wheaton College), Geoffrey Layman (University of Maryland), David Leal (University of Texas at Austin), David Leege (Notre Dame), Eric McDaniel (University of Texas at Austin),Quin Monson (Brigham Young University), Barbara Norrander (University of Arizona), Jan Norrander (University of Minnesota), Baxter Oliphant (Brigham Young University), Corwin Smidt (Calvin College), and Matthew Wilson (Southern Methodist University).

Chiefly papers presented at a conference sponsored by the University of Notre Dame's Program in American Democracy in December 2005.

Does it seem to you that some Christians seem to get all the breaks and things seem to always go their way? Have you wondered why this happens to them and not you? This book explains how one person has gotten God's attention and favor in her life and how you can get it, too. Learn how she stood in faith when everything around her looked totally impossible. See how God miraculously saved a home from foreclosure just in the nick of time. Read about the two-year journey of believing for a car that was provided the day before it was desperately needed. There are examples to follow throughout God's Word. Find out how Abraham, Noah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and others received favor from God just by believing what God told them was the absolute truth and standing on His promises. Learn how to truly grow in faith and favor by following those examples. Philippians 4:19 says, "But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." You can experience the power of prayers prayed in faith, believing and see the miraculous happen in your life. God does not exclude people. If He does it for one person, He'll do it for you.

This book, one of a three-part series, is a narrative reflection on Dr. Martin Luther's Small Catechism. Its uses are many: - A companion guide for catechism classes. - A manual for new adult member classes. - A preaching resource. - Inspirational reading for those who want to know more about the faith-life of a Christian. The book began as a video series broadcast on the Michigan City, Indiana, cable system. The series was also used in the catechetical instruction of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Michigan City, where Dr. Albertin is a pastor. David M. Albertin has for over a quarter of a century been a Lutheran pastor in addition to being a psychiatric counselor and college professor. He is a graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary (M.Div.), St. Louis, Missouri, and the State University of New York at Buffalo (Ph.D.). Throughout his ministry he has been active in radio and television and has served the church at large in the area of communications. He is a native of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, and currently resides in Michigan City, Indiana.

Designed for those who wish to review their faith and life, each chapter, in this series can serve as Catechism companions/supplements, personal devotional material, or as curriculum for a study class. Questions and thought-provokers included with each chapter work well for private reflection or group discussion.

When the prominent and much loved scientist Maurice Tomlinson dies of bee stings at a time of year when bees are dormant, many suspect foul play. Soon, Police Chief Dan Burke is on the case with the help of his childhood friend Brother Bartholomew.

Justification by faith alone labels theologically the motor that energizes the Reformation. The dynamic behind the language can still mean renewal for theology and church today, but only if that legal metaphor is not left to stand alone. Gerhard Forde calls for a recovery of Paul's equally vital metaphor of death-resurrection, which speaks of our dying to the old and being raised to new life in Christ. Justification, he contends, is death and rising, and where these complementary metaphors are allowed to interpret one another the Gospel can once again explode with all its original power. This fresh appropriation of the confessional witness contributes not only to an enhanced understanding of Reformation teachings, but also to an ecumenical dialogue that is zeroing in more closely on the catholic provenance and current vitality of the Augsburg Confession.