Faith and Freedom

Faith and Freedom: How the missionary principle facilitates political freedom, is a book by American author Tom Terry examining the role of the Christian missionary movement in helping create ideas of political freedom.

The book, published in 2006, traces the advent of freedom of speech, press, and conscience using the development of Christianity to demonstrate the religious influences that the author believes lead to these freedoms. Its author, an evangelical missionary who works as a broadcaster in the former communist country of Mongolia, uses his political and religious experiences in Mongolia as a launching point for some of the book's chapters.

Chapters
1. First Things

Introduces the concepts of freedom of speech, press, and conscience and the struggle over modern interpretations of these freedoms. Introduces the thesis that Christian missionaries are actively involved in advancing these freedoms are a natural part of the missionary's efforts.

2. Faith, the Father of Freedom

Explores events and laws in American colonial and revolutionary history that were closely tied to early American Christianity, and how early expressions of free speech and religion were developed out of struggles against religious persecution.

3. Fathering Freedom Far Away

Explores how missionary movements and specific missionary efforts in Brazil, Kenya, South Korea, and Mongolia helped shaped each nation's laws on rights for religious citizens. Brief examination on the development of religious freedom in Iraq following the 2003 invasion.

4. Freedom Honors its Father

The missionary principle's impact on economy, specifically capitalism, and the benefit capitalism has returned to Evangelical missionary movements.

5. Faith Falters

Analysis of biblical evidences for political freedom, and their application through history, including the move away from traditional Christianity in free societies. A particular focus on the Bible's covenants, and how they have influenced politics in Europe and the United States.

6. Freedom Forgets

The influence of postmodernism in western society, and its impact on missionary movements and religious freedom.

7. The Fistfight Between Faith and Freedom

Examines the divisions of Old Testament law (Ceremonial, Judicial, Moral), and their influence on modern politics, including interpretations of political problems associated with developing western-style democracies in Afghanistan and Iraq following the War on Terror.

8. On the Field

A collection of comments and quotations from missionaries representing 24 countries on the impact of their work on local politics, and why they avoid or engage in political activity in their host countries.

9. Final Word

Analysis of the research and ideas presented in the book with suggestions for the Evangelical community on engaging their values in local and national politics.

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