Irony of Barack Obama

R. Ward Holder is Professor of Theology and Peter B. Josephson is Associate Professor of Politics at Saint Anselm College, USA

’A valuable study of President Obama’s first term in office as a self-confessed Niebuhrian, this timely book illumines Barack Obama’s complexity as politician, Christian, and statesman.’ Richard Crouter, Carleton College, USA, and author of Reinhold Niebuhr: On Politics, Religion, and Christian Faith ’The Irony of Barack Obama is a cogent and fair-minded analysis that draws insightfully on the thought of Reinhold Niebuhr to assess Barack Obama's politics and his Niebuhrianism.’ Gary Dorrien, Union Theological Seminary and Columbia University, USA ’Holder & Josephson produce a fascinating account of Obama’s Christian Realism by skilfully exploring his appreciation of, and indebtedness to, his favourite philosopher Reinhold Niebuhr. At a time when religion and security is increasingly prominent in world politics this is a timely book providing new insight into old challenges of US foreign policy.’ Lee Marsden, University of East Anglia, UK 'Holder and Josephson (both, St. Anselm College) explore President Obama’s understanding of the relationship between faith and politics in this very scholarly study... Recommended. Upper-division undergraduate, graduate, and research collection.' Choice 'Authors R. Ward Holder and Peter B. Josephson from Saint Anselm College combine their expertise in Christian theology and politics in this thought-provoking, though necessarily incomplete, analysis of the Barack Obama presidency as it relates to Reinhold Niebuhr. ... Drawing from the burgeoning Niebuhr literature, the book offers illuminating perspectives on the forty-fourth U.S. president.' Journal of Church and State 'Holder and Josephson provide a compelling examination of the problem of Christian statecraft as it applies to Obama. ... [The authors] provide a much needed and incisive consideration of Obama's international affairs in the light of Christian realism.' Anglican Theological Review

• Contents: The promise of Barack Obama; The President's philosopher: Reinhold Niebuhr in the American century; The faith of Barack Obama; Realism and moral purpose in American foreign policy; The morality of a society: economic power, political power and justice; The prophet, the statesman and the nation; The irony of Barack Obama; politics and religion: a lesson; Bibliography; Index.