The Prophetic Pulpit Clergy, Churches, and Communities in American Politics

In this groundbreaking work, Paul A. Djupe and Christopher Gilbert analyze national data from a survey of over 2,400 Episcopal and Evangelical Lutheran Church of America clergy, looking deeper into their motivations for political action. Using these data, the authors argue that clergy roles in politics and civic life result from the intersection of their personal beliefs and interests, the specific needs of their congregation and community, and ongoing influences from their denomination.

Christopher P. Gilbert is associate professor and chair of the Political Science Department at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota.