{"product_id":"the-vanishing-church-how-the-hollowing-out-of-moderate-congregations-is-hurting-democracy-faith-and-us-hardcover","title":"The Vanishing Church: How the Hollowing Out of Moderate Congregations Is Hurting Democracy, Faith, and Us - Hardcover","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eRyan P. Burge\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe moderate American church is disappearing--and it's taking democracy with it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMany people assume evangelicals are Republican, Democrats aren't religious, and moderate Christians no longer exist. But that wasn't always true. In the 1980s, evangelicals were just as likely sit beside a Democrat as a Republican at church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhat changed?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn this groundbreaking book, data scientist Ryan Burge reveals\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e● \u003cb\u003ehow religious polarization reshaped America and caused many to leave church, \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e● \u003cb\u003ewhy faith became an identity in the culture wars, \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e● \u003cb\u003ethe hidden truth that Americans are more moderate than the media suggests, \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e● \u003cb\u003ewhy polarization in our churches affects all aspects of social connection and community, and\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e● \u003cb\u003ea path forward for churches to bridge political divides.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book reveals how political polarization transformed American Christianity over the past fifty years and why this divide impacts every aspect of society. Drawing on extensive data, Burge shows how churches that embraced conservative politics during the culture wars drove away millions of moderate and liberal Christians, hollowing out congregations that once bridged political divides.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBurge makes a compelling case that America needs churches now more than ever--not as political battlegrounds but as spaces where people of different backgrounds and beliefs can come together. Blending personal stories with rigorous, up-to-date research, \u003ci\u003eThe Vanishing Church\u003c\/i\u003e offers hope that faith communities can help heal our divisions and restore the common ground essential for democracy to thrive.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBack Jacket\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe moderate American church is disappearing--and it's taking democracy with it.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor decades, moderate Christian congregations fostered dialogue and community across political divides. But as the culture wars intensified, churches chose sides, driving away millions of believers.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eThe Vanishing Church\u003c\/i\u003e, data scientist Ryan Burge shows how much America's religious landscape has changed over the past fifty years, and why polarization is destroying faith and community and putting democracy at risk.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Ryan brings years of research to bear on sketching out the contours of a church broken in half by polarization. The questions he raises about political extremes and the fortunes of faith in America are some of the most critical questions of our time, and the answers he provides, though bracing, offer some room for hope.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003eElizabeth Bruenig\u003c\/b\u003e, staff writer for \u003ci\u003eThe Atlantic\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Burge recognizes how the dramatic shifts in beliefs and congregations over the last thirty years have spilled over into every part of our culture, including politics, and this book will help those without much religious literacy understand the importance of these often-overlooked trends.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003eSkye Jethani\u003c\/b\u003e, cofounder and editor in chief of Holy Post Media\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"When it comes to forecasting and analyzing demographic trends in American religion, there's no one I trust more than Burge. Even those who don't share all his theological conclusions will find indispensable this book's insights into polarization, pastoral fatigue, civic loss, and what the future of the American church will mean for all of us.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003eRussell Moore\u003c\/b\u003e, editor in chief of \u003ci\u003eChristianity Today\u003c\/i\u003e; author of \u003ci\u003eLosing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRyan P. Burge \u003c\/b\u003e(PhD, Southern Illinois University) is professor of practice at the Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University. He previously taught at Eastern Illinois University. His previous books include \u003ci\u003eThe Nones: Where They Came From, Who They Are, and Where They Are Going \u003c\/i\u003eand, with Jim Davis and Michael Graham, \u003ci\u003eThe Great Dechurching: Who's Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? \u003c\/i\u003eBurge has written for \u003ci\u003eThe New York Times\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Wall Street Journal\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003ePolitico\u003c\/i\u003e and has appeared on \u003ci\u003e60 Minutes\u003c\/i\u003e. He was the pastor of an American Baptist church for more than 17 years and lives in Mount Vernon, Illinois.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 232\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.95 x 8.67 x 5.6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e January 13, 2026\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51966664802605,"sku":"9781587436697","price":26.58,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0938\/3185\/6429\/files\/RQbCLEf4z59781587436697.webp?v=1775535195","url":"https:\/\/ishookbooks.com\/products\/the-vanishing-church-how-the-hollowing-out-of-moderate-congregations-is-hurting-democracy-faith-and-us-hardcover","provider":"iShook Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}