Reclaiming Hope : Lessons Learned in the Obama White House About the Future of Faith in America

The former Obama administration "ambassador to America's believers" gives an inside account of living with faith in the White House and argues that Christians have a responsibility to be a hopeful and faithful presence in public life. As a young Christian in his early twenties, Michael Wear found himself deep inside the halls of power in the Obama administration as one of the youngest ever White House staffers. Throwing himself wholeheartedly into transforming hope into change, Wear experienced first-hand the highs and lows of working as a Christian in government. From the central role of Christians in achievements such as the adoption tax credit and directing the president's attention to human trafficking to the religious controversies and tensions that defined much of the president's time in office, Reclaiming Hope gives an unvarnished account of life inside the most powerful office in the world. At a time when large numbers of thoughtful Christians argue for a withdrawal from participation in public institutions, Wear uses his experience at the white-hot center of civic life to show how and why Christians must be involved in every aspect of cultural life--even if failures seem to outnumber successes--while working on behalf of the nation's common good"--;Family values -- Meeting Barack Obama -- A campaign to believe in -- President Obama's faith in the White House (2009-2010) -- President Obama's faith in the White House (2011-2012) -- Searching for common ground on abortion -- The contraception mandate -- The President's "evolution" -- A different kind of campaign -- The tale of two inaugurals -- Real hope -- Reclaiming hope. Now with a new afterword from the author. "An important and extremely timely book...Get it, read it, and talk to others about it." --Timothy Keller In this unvarnished account of faith inside the world’s most powerful office, Michael Wear provides unprecedented insight into the highs and lows of working as a Christian in government. Reclaiming Hope is an insider’s view of the most controversial episodes of the Obama administration, from the president’s change of position on gay marriage and the transformation of religious freedom into a partisan idea, to the administration’s failure to find common ground on abortion and the bitter controversy over who would give the benediction at the 2012 inauguration. The book is also a passionate call for faith in the public square, particularly for Christians to see politics as a means of loving one’s neighbor and of pursuing justice for all. Engrossing, illuminating, and at time provocative, Reclaiming Hope changes the way we think about the relationship of politics and faith. "A pre-Trump book with serious questions for our politics in the age of Trump...More necessary than ever before." -- Sojourners "Should be read by Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives, and all who are concerned by the state of our politics.” --Kirsten Powers, USA Today columnist and CNN political analyst "Reclaiming Hope will certainly give you a fresh perspective on politics--but, more importantly, it may also give you a fresh perspective on faith.”--Andy Stanley, senior pastor of North Point Ministries "An important and extremely timely book...Get it, read it, and talk to others about it." --Timothy Keller, author of Reason for God "An important contribution in this age of religious and political polarization." --J.D. Vance, author of Hillbilly Elegy "A lifeline for these times." --Ann Voskamp, author of One Thousand Gifts and The Broken Way “We can hope, and this book can help us.” --Russell Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention Now in paperback with a new afterword from the author. "An important and extremely timely book...Get it, read it, and talk to others about it." --Timothy Keller In this unvarnished account of faith inside the worlds most powerful office, Michael Wear provides unprecedented insight into the highs and lows of working as a Christian in government. Reclaiming Hope is an insiders view of the most controversial episodes of the Obama administration, from the presidents change of position on gay marriage and the transformation of religious freedom into a partisan idea, to the administrations failure to find common ground on abortion and the bitter controversy over who would give the benediction at the 2012 inauguration. The book is also a passionate call for faith in the public square, particularly for Christians to see politics as a means of loving ones neighbor and of pursuing justice for all. Engrossing, illuminating, and at time provocative, Reclaiming Hope changes the way we think about the relationship of politics and faith. "A pre-Trump book with serious questions for our politics in the age of Trump...More necessary than ever before." -- Sojourners "Should be read by Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives, and all who are concerned by the state of our politics. --Kirsten Powers, USA Today columnist and CNN political analyst " Reclaiming Hope will certainly give you a fresh perspective on politics--but, more importantly, it may also give you a fresh perspective on faith.--Andy Stanley, senior pastor of North Point Ministries "An important contribution in this age of religious and political polarization." --J.D. Vance, author of Hillbilly Elegy "A lifeline for these times." --Ann Voskamp, author of One Thousand Gifts and The Broken Way We can hope, and this book can help us. --Russell Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention The Former Obama Administration Ambassador To America's Believers Gives An Inside Account Of Living With Faith In The White House And Argues That Christians Have A Responsibility To Be A Hopeful And Faithful Presence In Public Life. As A Young Christian In His Early Twenties, Michael Wear Found Himself Deep Inside The Halls Of Power In The Obama Administration As One Of The Youngest Ever White House Staffers. Throwing Himself Wholeheartedly Into Transforming Hope Into Change, Wear Experienced First-hand The Highs And Lows Of Working As A Christian In Government. From The Central Role Of Christians In Achievements Such As The Adoption Tax Credit And Directing The President's Attention To Human Trafficking To The Religious Controversies And Tensions That Defined Much Of The President's Time In Office, Reclaiming Hope Gives An Unvarnished Account Of Life Inside The Most Powerful Office In The World. At A Time When Large Numbers Of Thoughtful Christians Argue For A Withdrawal From Participation In Public Institutions, Wear Uses His Experience At The White-hot Center Of Civic Life To Show How And Why Christians Must Be Involved In Every Aspect Of Cultural Life--even If Failures Seem To Outnumber Successes--while Working On Behalf Of The Nation's Common Good-- Family Values -- Meeting Barak Obama -- A Campaign To Believe In -- President Obama's Faith In The White House (2009-2010) -- President Obama's Faith In The White House (2011-2012) -- Searching For Common Ground On Abortion -- The Contraception Mandate -- The President's Evolution -- A Different Kind Of Campaign -- The Tale Of Two Inaugurals -- Real Hope -- Reclaiming Hope. Michael Wear. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 235-261) And Index. The former Obama administration "ambassador to America's believers" gives an inside account of living with faith in the White House and argues that Christians have a responsibility to be a hopeful and faithful presence in public life. As a young Christian in his early twenties, Michael Wear found himself deep inside the halls of power in the Obama administration as one of the youngest ever White House staffers. Throwing himself wholeheartedly into transforming hope into change, Wear experienced first-hand the highs and lows of working as a Christian in government. From the central role of Christians in achievements such as the adoption tax credit and directing the president's attention to human trafficking to the religious controversies and tensions that defined much of the president's time in office, Reclaiming Hope gives an unvarnished account of life inside the most powerful office in the world. At a time when large numbers of thoughtful Christians argue for a withdrawal from participation in public institutions, Wear uses his experience at the white-hot center of civic life to show how and why Christians must be involved in every aspect of cultural life--even if failures seem to outnumber successes--while working on behalf of the nation's common good"-- Provided by publisher An inside account of living with faith in the Obama White House that is 'a lifeline for these times' (Ann Voskamp).In this unvarnished account of faith inside the world's most powerful office, Michael Wear provides unprecedented insight into the highs and lows of working as a Christian in government. Reclaiming Hope is an insider's view of the most controversial episodes of the Obama administration, from the president's change of position on gay marriage and the transformation of religious freedom into a partisan idea, to the administration's failure to find common ground on abortion and the bitter controversy over who would give the benediction at the 2012 inauguration.The book is also a passionate call for faith in the public square, particularly for Christians to see politics as a means of loving one's neighbor and of pursuing justice for all. Engrossing, illuminating, and at time provocative, Reclaiming Hope changes the way we think about the relationship of politics and faith Learn how the seeds of the Trump presidency were sown in the Obama White House. In this unvarnished account of faith inside the world's most powerful office, Michael Wear provides unprecedented insight into the highs and lows of working as a Christian in government. Reclaiming Hope is an insider's view of the most controversial episodes of the Obama administration, from the president's change of position on gay marriage and the transformation of religious freedom into a partisan idea, to the administration's failure to find common ground on abortion and the bitter controversy over who would give the benediction at the 2012 inauguration. The book is also a passionate call for faith in the public square, particularly for Christians to see politics as a means of loving one's neighbor and of pursuing justice for all. Engrossing, illuminating, and at time provocative, Reclaiming Hope changes the way we think about the relationship of politics and...