American Babylon Notes of a Christian Exile [Paperback]

Christians are by their nature a people out of place. Their true home is with God; in civic life, they are alien citizens “in but not of the world.” InAmerican Babylon, eminent theologian Richard John Neuhaus examines the particular truth of that ambiguity for Catholics in America today.

Neuhaus addresses the essential quandaries of Catholic life—assessing how Catholics can keep their heads above water in the sea of immorality that confronts them in the world, how they can be patriotic even though their true country is not in this world, and how they might reconcile their duties as citizens with their commitment to God. Deeply learned, frequently combative, and always eloquent,American Babylonis Neuhaus'smagnum opus—and will be essential reading for all Christians.

Richard John Neuhaus, one of the foremost authorities on religion in the contemporary world and president of the Institute on Religion and Public Life, is the editor-in-chief ofFirst Things. He was named one of the “25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America” byTimeMagazine. His many books includeFreedom for Ministry,Death on a Friday Afternoon, andAs I Lay Dying. He is a priest of the Archdiocese of New York and lives in Manhattan.

New York Times Book Review
“American Babylondisplays Neuhaus in all his virtues – elegantly argued and written, fair-minded and with a formidable range of reference – making the important point that politics without an anchor in a public morality can quickly slip away in dark directions.”

National Review
“In word and deed alike, Neuhaus provided as much ‘spiritual energy for existing goals of change' as any figure of his era. But it's a testament to his own capaciousness that we will be able to turn to him for guidance and inspiration even in eras vastly different frló5