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Biography
Amy E. Black is Professor of Political Science at Wheaton College (IL). She earned her Ph.D. in Political Science at M.I.T. A specialist in American Government, her research interests include religion and politics, the Presidency, and Congress. She is a past president of Christians in Political Science and served as an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellow in the office of Representative Melissa A. Hart.
Education
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Ph.D., Political Science, 1997
Claremont McKenna College
B.A., Government, 1991
Areas of Expertise
- American Politics and Government
- U.S. Congress
- The American Presidency
- Women and Politics
- Religion and Politics
- Campaigns and Elections
- Evangelicals and Politics
Professional Affiliations
- American Political Science Association: member
- Christians in Political Science: Past President
- Midwest Political Science Association: member
Books
- Five Views on the Church and Politics (Counterpoints: Bible and Theology)
- Honoring God in Red or Blue: Approaching Politics with Humility, Grace, and Reason
- Religion and American Politics: Classic and Contemporary Perspectives
- Beyond Left and Right: Helping Christians Make Sense of American Politics
- From Inspiration to Legislation: How an Idea Becomes a Bill
- Of Little Faith: The Politics of George W. Bush's Faith-Based Initiatives (Religion and Politics)
Media
“Trump Opens Second Term with Bold Promises”
Christianity Today
...With nods to his widening base and prayers from Christian leaders, the president acts fast on campaign priorities like immigration...
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Democratic National Convention Day 2 Recap
Moody Radio Cleveland
Political scientist Dr. Amy Black recaps Day 2 of the Democratic National Convention with Moody Radio Cleveland.
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Christians in Political Convention Season
Moody Radio Cleveland
Political science professor Dr. Amy Black talks with Brian and Kathleen of Moody Radio Cleveland.
Christian Public Witness In A Divisive Age
Christian Scholar's Review
...Christian foundations of political thought are important and worthy of discussion, but in the current moment when fear and anger animate so much of American politics, Wolterstorff’s particular emphasis on political activity is especially prescient...
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Should the United States by a Christian Nation?
Ozy
In the back-and-forth between independent Senator Bernie Sanders and Russell Vought — in a nomination hearing earlier this month to determine if Vought would be the next deputy director of the White House Office of Management and Budget — Sanders criticized Vought for stating his religious belief that non-Christians are condemned. The phrase that bothered Sanders so much came from the New Testament and aligns with the historic teachings of the Christian faith.
“A Diagnosis in Need of a Different Cure”
Current, December 19, 2022
...Far too much of current political discourse consists of talking (or, in too many cases, shouting) past one another, focusing more on trying to raise alarm than seeking to listen to a range of voices and perspectives...
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Today's Conversation: "Civics for Christians"
National Association of Evangelicals (NAE)
Dr. Black sits with NAE President Walter Kim to discuss the role of Christians in politics including civic responsibilities of Christians and ways to apply Scripture in the current political environment.
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“Coronavirus, Holy Week and Easter - America's churches continue to put love first”
Foxnews, April 11, 2020.
...A handful of states have yet to take such measures, and in a few others, governors have exempted houses of worship from statewide closings. In response, a few defiant pastors are holding services anyway and others have sued governments to allow them to reopen. They argue that religious organizations provide essential services and that bans on religious gatherings violate the free exercise of religion...
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“The Stories We Tell About Our Country and Our Faith Matter”
Religion News Service, March 6, 2020
...Christians, who often disagree about politics and theology, must constantly navigate difference among themselves. If Christians see their faith as a set of character-shaping practices, rather than a marker of tribal identity, their faith can be a source of resilience when facing difference in broader society as well...
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Evening Conversation: Christianity, Pluralism, and Public Life
The Trinity Forum
"On February 24th, the Trinity Forum hosted an Evening Conversation with Michael Wear, Dr. Amy Black, Bishop Claude Alexander, and Rev. Canon Peg Chemberlin. They discussed the report co-authored by Michael Wear and Amy Black—Christianity, Pluralism, and Public Life in America: Insights from Christian Leaders."
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A shifting landscape: Gay rights, RFRA and the GOP
IndyStar
"The national shift in views of gay rights has been lightning fast," said Amy E. Black, a political science professor at Wheaton College. "Positions which were mainstream in both parties only a few years ago are quickly becoming marginalized."
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Seeking A More Perfect Union
Cover Interview with Outreach Magazine (2019)
...Here’s the truth: Politics is about finding imperfect solutions to intractable problems. If something’s easy, government has already fixed it. Right now, anything left in the public square to debate is complicated and messy. It’s that way because we as humans are complicated and messy. We’re sinful and broken. So are our institutions...
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Courses Taught
- American Politics and Government
- Congress and the Policymaking Process
- The American Presidency
- Media and Public Opinion
- Women and Politics
- Campaigns and Elections
- Senior Seminar: Christianity and Politics
- Politics and Pop Culture
- Political Research
Research
- Individual: Congressional Legislative Process, Religion and Politics
- With Students: Old Testament Ethics and Domestic Poverty
Selected Publications
The Neglected Middle Ground, thebestschools.org
Amy Black, 2017
Evangelicals, Politics, and Public Policy: Lessons from the Past, Prospects for the Future, The Future of American Evangelicalism
Amy Black, 2016
Review: "Mind the Gap?" Robert Putnam on "the American Dream in Crisis.", Books and Culture - A Christian Review
Amy Black, Kira Dirrman, 2016
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Modeling A More Excellent Way: Thoughts on Respectful Dialogue, Evangelicals on Public Policy Issues: Sustaining a Respectful Conversation
Amy Black, 2014
Opportunities and Obstacles: Congress and International Religious Freedom Policy, Review of Faith and International Affairs
Amy Black, 2013
The Cure for Election Madness, Christianity Today
Amy Black, 2012
TowerTalk
Politics as Christian Witness
American politics is often characterized more by angry shouting matches than by thoughtful discussions. How can Christians be a witness for Christ in this arena? In this TowerTalk, Professor of Political Science Amy E. Black encourages us to re-imagine politics as a form of Christian witness and discusses ways we can model Christian virtues in contemporary politics.
