Politics

Engage

This is a thoughtful book by a Quaker educator examining the “habits of the heart” that make democracy thrive. Palmer invites readers to heal our fractured civic space by reclaiming core virtues like trust, humility, and hope. He offers practical insights into how embracing inner spiritual work, such as acknowledging our brokenness and cultivating compassion, can help rebuild communities and create politics worthy of the human spirit.

See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love by Valarie Kaur

Part memoir, part call-to-action, this book by a Sikh activist and civil rights lawyer chronicles how love, grounded in Kaur’s faith and ancestral wisdom, can be a force for social justice. Kaur shares stories of fighting hate with fierce love, from post-9/11 hate crimes to prison reform, and lays out a model of “Revolutionary Love” as a social ethic to transform politics and heal divides. Her message provides a potent example of spirituality fueling contemporary movements for justice and solidarity.

The Soul of Politics: A Practical and Prophetic Vision for Change by Jim Wallis

Written by the founder of Sojourners, a Christian social justice community, this classic work was published in 1994 yet remains deeply relevant. Wallis argues that a renewal of politics must be rooted in spiritual values and ethical principles. He shares anecdotes of diverse faith communities working to alleviate poverty, combat racism, and build peace, illustrating what he calls a “politics of conscience.” This book challenges readers to move beyond Left/Right ideologies and seek a higher ground of common moral purpose in public life.