"As American politics becomes more polarized and as more areas of life become politicized, it starts to feel like there's no escape. But if there's a way out of this situation—where politics is increasingly extremist, defamatory, and conspiratorial—surely it's not going to come by just picking a side in the culture wars and trying to impose our own political and moral vision. Surely we need to better understand where we've all gone wrong. For anyone hoping for a way out of the current political mess, Jim Belcher's Cold Civil War is a must-read, and it's clearly the product of the author's many years of curiosity about and careful consideration of diverse moral and political views. Belcher offers a new way of classifying political orientations. He argues that the four main political orientations act as countervailing forces that strengthen the country when in their more centrist forms but tear the country apart in their more extreme forms. The way forward isn't to abandon our ideologies entirely or for us all to agree with one another, but the country does need to move toward the 'vital center.' And Belcher offers a vision of how to do so."

"Belcher's work on our current state of affairs in cultural discourse, marked by hyperpartisanship, incivility, and political, social, and moral instability, contributes a needed perspective borne of clear, careful, and charitable thinking. It is reflective of deep thought and research that has obviously been ongoing for many years, and I'm certain it will spur further dialogue among scholars in the academy and citizens in the public square for years to come."

"As the current pastor of Godspeak Church in Thousand Oaks, California, and the former mayor of the City of Thousand Oaks, I have always viewed my political opponents not as my enemy but as an opportunity. I groped in the darkness to understand how to apply civility in the political arena. Having read Jim Belcher's book Cold Civil War, I now possess a clear understanding of what I longed for but could never fully articulate. American Christianity has abandoned their presence in the public square because politics for most is simply a blood sport. Jim Belcher's book gives a clear road map back to our needed participation in the public square. Civility is the key and wisdom is our strength. I am so grateful personally for this timely work and rejoice wholeheartedly in endorsing it."

"Our country is divided. Jim Belcher in this thoughtful book helps us understand what and who is making the polarization worse. Our country is divided, and Jim helps us consider a new vital center, one that will heal and not fracture. Cold Civil War is an important book to help Christians recover a vibrant public philosophy, one that will empower Christ-followers to lead our society from the tumultuous to the virtuous. Cold Civil War is a hopeful book. Read it."

"Reflecting both his preparation as a political philosopher and his skills as a theologian, Jim Belcher has given us a timely and thoughtful proposal to address public square issues by rebuilding a new vital center for America. Examining the ideas, trends, and developments that have brought about the current philosophical, political, and cultural divide, Belcher offers a bold, challenging, and hope-filled framework to move beyond the fragmentation and polarization on the right and the left. Grounded in an appeal to reclaim the place of both special revelation and natural law, and drawing on insights from Tocqueville, this important volume, while not naive to the difficult road ahead, provides much-needed guidance for shaping a public theology, enabling the church to reclaim its mission, overcome cynicism, and take responsibility for helping to bring healing to the nations. Cold Civil War is worthy of serious reflection and engagement by those on all sides of the issues. Highly recommended!"

"Jim Belcher offers an innovative and empathetic framework for understanding our polarized moment in this thoughtful synthesis of public philosophy and political debate. This introduction to the ferocious argument between left and right is essential reading for anyone concerned about our nation's future."