New Book by Pastor, Professor of Ethics & Musician/Songwriter Raymond R. Roberts
Dr. Raymond R. Roberts offers historic insights and practical solutions for the greater good in “A Democratic and Republican Faith: A Public Theology for a Church and Nation in Crisis” (Wipf and Stock, 2026).
In this book, Roberts provides new ideas and hope for repairing and rebuilding a weakened democracy in sync with America’s 250th anniversary.
“A Democratic and Republican Faith” is not a partisan politics book. Instead, the author emphasizes that the words “democratic” and “republican” are part of an older and deeper “democratic faith” that belongs to all people – democrats, republicans and independents.
To provide solutions, Roberts addresses how a nation and church in crisis can collectively heal our republic by restoring this faith.
To address our political dysfunction and weakening democratic commitment Roberts proposes nine principles or doctrines: theocentrism, creation, image of God, natural law, sin, hope, vocation, covenant, and ecclesiology.
Roberts observes that these doctrines carry meaning outside of theological contexts. These beliefs serve as lenses that shape how individuals see and respond to the world. These teachings also transmit a practical wisdom regarding things such as human dignity, the nature of morality, priorities, human purpose, and social responsibility.
About
I wrote “A Democratic and Republican Faith” primarily for 2 reasons.
First, I wrote it to help Americans recover moral and spiritual reasons for supporting democratic government and practice.
Second, I wrote this book to help the church retrieve the practical implications of its core beliefs and reclaim its theological voice.
And while I wrote this book for the church, I also wrote it for nonreligious people, to help them appreciate the theological roots and deeper meaning of language that everybody uses all the time.
The Foreword is written by David P. Gushee (PhD), who is the Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics at Mercer University.
Editorial Reviews
Why Now?
With experts warning that America’s democratic political culture is in crisis and that the U.S. is slouching toward authoritarianism, Roberts, a Professor of Health Ethics at the University of Richmond, seeks to revitalize the convictions and norms on which democracy depends.
In this new book, the author addresses the burden mainstream Christianity has placed on democratic culture by failing to nurture members in a “thick” democratic and republican faith capable of guiding public commitment and participation in the democratic process.
Now Available as Paperback, Hardcover & eBook
Available on Amazon and through Wipf and Stock Publisher.
Guitarist, Singer and Songwriter
Pastor, Professor and Author Raymond R. Roberts is also a musician and songwriter in the band Reckless and Wild.
Ray co-wrote the song “Let Freedom Ring,” which you can listen too on the Reckless and Wild album on Spotify below.
About the Author
Dr. Raymond R. Roberts (Richmond, Virginia) is a Pastor with 40+ years of experience, Professor of Health Ethics at University of Richmond, Author of “A Democratic and Republican Faith: A Public Theology for a Church and Nation in Crisis (Wipf and Stock, April 2026) and a Musician, Singer, and Songwriter . Roberts is also the Author of “Whose Kids Are They Anyway: Religion and Morality in America’s Public Schools” (2002) and a Substack blogger(@raymondrroberts).
In addition, Roberts previously served as Head of Staff at River Road Presbyterian Church (Richmond, VA), The Presbyterian Church (Westfield, NJ), Grace Presbyterian Church (Jenkintown, PA), and Amherst Presbyterian Church (Amherst, VA).
Roberts received a Ph.D. in History and Theology from Union Presbyterian Seminary and is a 30+ year member of the Society of Christian Ethics. In addition, Roberts is songwriter, guitarist, and singer in the band Reckless and Wild.