PRAISE FOR FAITHFUL PRESENCE
If youre burned out on political discourse in America, youre not hearing from voices like Bill Haslam. Refreshing, funny, nuanced, and insightful, this book will give you hope in the country you love.
DONALD MILLER, AUTHOR AND CEO OF BUSINESS MADE SIMPLE
In this era of perpetual outrage, one could easily conclude that the Sermon on the Mount cannot coexist with the Federalist Papers. Indeed, many seem to be giving up on either the idea of democracy itself or the hope that this democracy could produceand demandleaders of character and conviction.
This book shows a different way. I can think of no leader in public life who better exemplifies character, reasonableness, prudence, and tenacity more than Bill Haslam. This book takes the reader through major decision points in Governor Haslams life while elaborating on how we could have a politics of principle and even humility. This book calls us away from the way of Machiavelli and toward the way of Jesus. This book is not just for those in or considering a political life, but for everyone who leads in any arena of life. This is the book we need right now, and it comes not a moment too soon.
RUSSELL MOORE, PRESIDENT OF ETHICS AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY COMMISSION
As our country seems to be more divided than ever, Faithful Presence seems to be written for such a time as this. Guided by his faith and leadership experience, and with refreshing humor and humility, Bill Haslam has written a book that takes on the complexities of being a Christian in public office. As a Democrat who served with Governor Haslam, I cannot recommend this book enough. Whether you are in elected office or not, its a voice we need to help heal our nation.
RAUMESH AKBARI, TENNESSEE STATE SENATE, DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS CHAIR
Bill Haslam has written a superb book on faith and politics, drawing on lessons from the Bible, history, and his own consequential life. Faithful Presence is engaging and insightful, challenging and candid, and oh-so-timely. In an age in which prominent figures have discredited the Christian witness in the political arena, Haslam shows us the way out and the way up. This book will give you hope.
PETER WEHNER, NEW YORK TIMES OP-ED CONTRIBUTOR AND SENIOR ADVISOR TO PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH
If youre concerned about the ways in which the Christian faith has become such a divisive factor in our national politics, Faithful Presence is the book you must read. At a time when our political discourse has devolved into a Hatfields vs. McCoys kind of blood feud, Governor Bill Haslam offers a desperately needed third waynot angry divisiveness, not passive-aggressive conflict avoidance, but a way of humble and authentic engagementwith faith serving not as a political weapon but as a moral compass.
RICHARD STEARNS, PRESIDENT EMERITUS OF WORLD VISION US AND AUTHOR OF THE HOLE IN OUR GOSPEL AND LEAD LIKE IT MATTERS TO GOD
Bill Haslam uses his remarkable political experience to explore how people who believe in truths beyond power politics can be a key part of healing the deep divides in our country. Perhaps people who understand the reality of the image of God in all of our neighborsand who believe in the Gospels that free us to love unconditionallycan humbly point to a different way of living with even our scary differences.
BEN SASSE, UNITED STATES SENATOR
For too long, politics has been treated as an area of life in which Jesus is at a terrible disadvantage. Those who follow Jesus, then, are best advised to be involved in politics only to mitigate their losses, if even that. Of course, throughout American historyindeed, the history of politics around the worldthere are countless examples of those who have acted in politics not to be served, but to serve.
Christians are called to be faithful in all of life, including politics, and the church desperately needs to hear and heed this call. My friend, Bill Haslam, is a Christian who has heeded that call. In Faithful Presence, youll learn from someone who has been at the very height of our politics, who has borne the burden of political leadership, and insists faithfulness is the best way to meet the challenges of our day. I share Bills conviction. I encourage people of every political persuasion to read this valuable book. Consider how your pursuit of faithfulness might influence how you think about political life and the positive contribution you can make.
MICHAEL WEAR, AUTHOR OF RECLAIMING HOPE: LESSONS LEARNED IN THE OBAMA WHITE HOUSE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF FAITH IN AMERICA
Faithful Presence
2021 Bill Haslam
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ISBN 978-1-6836-6750-6 (audiobook)
Epub Edition March 2021 9781400224432
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Haslam, Bill, 1958-author.
Title: Faithful presence: the promise and the peril of faith in the public square / Bill Haslam.
Description: Nashville, Tennessee: Nelson Books, 2021. | Includes bibliographical references. | Summary: Two-term governor of Tennessee Bill Haslam reveals how faithtoo often divisive and contentiouscan be a redemptive and unifying presence in the public squareProvided by publisher.
Identifiers: LCCN 2020038681 (print) | LCCN 2020038682 (ebook) | ISBN 9781400224425 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781400224432 (epub)
Subjects: LCSH: Christianity and politicsUnited States. | ChristiansPolitical activityUnited States. | Church and stateUnited States.
Classification: LCC BR516 .H325 2021 (print) | LCC BR516 (ebook) | DDC 261.70973dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020038681
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020038682
Printed in the United States of America
21222324LSC10987654321
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