The Liberty Way - by Kobby Barda (Paperback)

About the Book

This book examines how Liberty University, church planting networks, and grassroots mobilization shaped U.S. policy toward Israel. It explores the role of Evangelical activism in influencing Congress and the White House, highlighting the intersection of theology, political strategy, and pro-Israel advocacy within the American conservative movement.

Book Synopsis

This book explores the strategic role of Liberty University, church planting networks, and grassroots mobilization in shaping U.S. policy toward Israel. It examines how Dr. Jerry Falwell, through his leadership at Liberty University and the Moral Majority, built a powerful evangelical coalition that effectively influenced Congress and the White House. By analyzing the intersection of faith, politics, and diplomacy, the book uncovers how Christian Zionism became a central force in conservative American politics, fostering a deep alliance between evangelicals and the Israeli government. Falwell's relationship with Israeli leaders, particularly Prime Minister Menachem Begin, marked a turning point in evangelical engagement with U.S.-Israel relations.
Drawing on archival research, policy analysis, and historical case studies, this study reveals how church planting initiatives were not just religious efforts but also political mobilization tools. Through Liberty University's extensive alumni network, pastors and church leaders across the United States incorporated pro-Israel advocacy into their congregations, fostering a committed base that actively lobbied for policies such as the relocation of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, foreign aid to Israel, and support for settlement expansion. The book highlights how evangelical activism extended beyond sermons and theological discourse, transforming into a well-organized political force with direct influence on U.S. foreign policy.
By tracing the historical evolution of evangelical political engagement, this book provides critical insights into the mechanisms by which grassroots activism, theological imperatives, and institutional influence shaped American diplomacy in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. It situates evangelical support for Israel within the broader conservative movement, illustrating how religious convictions translated into political action. As debates over faith-based politics and foreign policy continue to shape America's global role, this book offers a timely and essential contribution to understanding the enduring impact of Christian Zionism on U.S.-Israel relations.

Review Quotes

"Dr. Barda's groundbreaking research unearths crucial yet forgotten connections that illuminate our present moment. His work reveals why the Jewish community and the State of Israel have more allies now than at any point in their ancient history, offering insights that reshape our understanding of Jewish-Christian relations." -- Rev. Johnnie Moore, PhD, President, The Congress of Christian Leaders, Washington, DC.

"The Liberty Way adds new and innovative data to the scholarly understanding of modern Christian Zionism. By tracking graduates of Liberty University who planted churches and weaved pro-Israel politics into their church cultures, situating them within the political history of Christian Zionism, Barda further explicates the extent to which the movement has been profoundly influenced by Jerry Falwell's personal and programmatic reach." -- Daniel Hummel, Director of the Lumen Center, Madison, WI.

"This research is the first comprehensive study to examine Jerry Falwell's work in evangelical-Israeli relations, a figure whose impact on society, religion, and politics cannot be underestimated. Dr. Barda employs primary documents that have never been examined before, along with a fascinating analysis of the hundreds of Falwell's former students who became influential pastors." -- Dr. Motti Inbari, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

About the Author

Dr. Kobby Barda is a senior fellow at the Haifa Laboratory for Religious Studies at the University of Haifa and a faculty member at the School of Multidisciplinary Studies at HIT--Holon Institute of Technology. He specializes in U.S.-Israel relations, American political history, and Evangelical-Zionist movements.