Books authored by Dr. Mouw can be found at the Fuller Bookstore.

Praying at Burger King
This book offers an engaging collection of warm, conversational reflections on faith and everyday life. Considering topics ranging from prayer in a noisy restaurant to connecting with adolescents, Dr. Mouw pens essays that are alternately amusing and poignant. Through them all, he highlights how the outward life of a Christian should reflect the inner workings of the Spirit, and shows in concrete ways how an extraordinary God meets us in everyday life. “Richard Mouw has a knack for spotting the theologically sublime in the simple things and the profound in the quirky events of life,” says David Neff, editor and vice president of Christianity Today magazine. “A strong, clear, gracefully written guide to everyday Christian life in a largely secular world,” describes Bob Abernethy, host and executive editor of the Public Broadcasting System’s Religion and Ethics NewsWeekly.
(Eerdmans, March 2007)

Calvinism in the Las Vegas Airport: Making Connections in Today’s World
What would the Canons of Dordt mean to a passerby in the Las Vegas airport? In the movie Hardcore, a pious Calvinist elder tries unsuccessfully to explain the TULIP theology of his Dutch Reformed faith to a prostitute in the Las Vegas airport–an incongruous conversation that demonstrates how Calvinism is often perceived today: irrelevant, harsh, even disrespectful. Beginning with this movie scene, Calvinism in the Las Vegas Airport addresses the weaknesses of Calvinism and points to its strengths. How does Calvinism shed light on today’s issues? What might it look like to live out Calvinist doctrine in our day with compassion, gentleness, and respect? This conversational book provides answers and shatters some stereotypes, encouraging readers to live every aspect of life–business, family, education, politics–before the face of a generous, sovereign God.
(Zondervan, 2004)

Traditions in Leadership: How Faith Traditions Shape the Way We Lead
(coedited with Eric O. Jacobsen)
Many books on the market cover the technique of leadership, and a growing number focus on the character of the leader–but few explore the relationship between the leader and his or her particular tradition of faith. Traditions in Leadership seeks to address that relationship, with leaders of eight different faith traditions offering a detailed study on the theme of leadership. From contributors associated with Catholic, Orthodox, Reformed Mennonite, Pentecostal, Quaker, Anglican, Latter-day Saints and Conservative Judaism traditions of faith, each essay explores how leadership is understood within a particular tradition as well as examining the lives of notable representatives. Taken together, these writings highlight common themes all faithful leaders face, as well as revealing some surprising differences in approach. This exploration of leadership from a variety of perspectives will help leaders of all faiths glean important lessons.
(De Pree Leadership Center, 2006)

Consulting the Faithful: What Christian Intellectuals Can Learn from Popular Religion
Dr. Mouw carefully assesses the relationship–or lack thereof–between “popular” religion and intellectual orthodoxy, calling for new sensitivities in Christian thought and practice. In viewing popular religion, he urges that we replace a hermeneutics of suspicion with a hermeneutics of charity, and emphasizes the nurturing of a “theology for everyday life.”
(William B. Eerdmans, 1994)

Distorted Truth: What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Battle for the Mind
This book offers a thoughtful, compassionate examination of why people are attracted to popular cultural “isms”–humanism, nihilism, occultism, relativism–and how Christians can benefit from a deeper understanding of them. Rather than condemning, Dr. Mouw graciously invites readers to “probe beneath the surface of error.”
(HarperCollins, 1989; reprinted by Fuller Seminary Press, 1999)

The God Who Commands: A Study in Divine Command Ethics
In this book Dr. Mouw develops a constructive theological ethic springing from Calvinist themes. Exploring issues at the intersection of philosophical and theological discussions, he sets forth an ethical perspective in which obedience to divine commands occupies a central place.
(University of Notre Dame, 1990)

He Shines in All that’s Fair: Culture and Common Grace
How do Christians account for the widespread presence of goodness in a fallen world? Originally presented as the 2000 Stob Lectures at Calvin College and Seminary, the essays in this book elegantly demonstrate that an updated understanding of common grace can help those wrestling with the constantly shifting challenges of cultural engagement.
(William B. Eerdmans, 2001)

Pluralisms and Horizons: An Essay in Christian Public Philosophy
(coauthored with Sander Griffioen)
This study looks at questions of pluralism and the place of religion in contemporary public life, exploring how Christians we can hold firmly to their faith while maintaining civil relations and constructive dialogue with those who reject that faith.
(William B. Eerdmans, 1993)

The Smell of Sawdust: What Evangelicals Can Learn from their Fundamentalist Heritage
This book sheds thoughtful and revealing light on the colorful parentage of contemporary evangelicalism–from its history, to its ethos, to its more and methods. Dr. Mouw traces a fascinating journey through the pros and cons of the “sawdust trail,” offering candid, thought-provoking insights that both inspire respect for fundamentalism’s strong points and help us learn from its weaknesses.
(Zondervan, 2000)

Uncommon Decency: Christian Civility in an Uncivil World
In this book Mouw expresses a call for civil discussions and interactions, while recognizing that it is not easy to hold onto Christian convictions and treat sometimes vindictive opponents with civility and decency. He discusses what Christians can appreciate about pluralism, the theological basis for civility, and how we can communicate with people who disagree with us on the issues that matter most.
(InterVarsity, 1992)

When the Kings Come Marching In: Isaiah and the New Jerusalem
Mouw explores the religious transformation of culture as powerfully depicted in Isaiah 60, where the prophet envisions the future transformation of the city of Jerusalem, a portrayal of the Holy City bearing important similarities to John’s vision in Revelation 21 and 22. Mouw shows how these and other key biblical passages provide a proper pattern for cultural involvement in the present.
(William B. Eerdmans, 1983; Revised edition, 2002)

Wonderful Words of Life: Hymns in American Protestant History and Theology
(coedited with Mark A. Noll)
This collection of essays, from a variety of pastoral worship leaders, explores the history of congregational song and the enduring significance of music in worship. Covering a range of topics, the book serves to offer not only a better understanding of the history of hymns and corporate worship, but also inspire more profound stewardship of congregational song today.
(William B. Eerdmans, 2004)

Out of Print

Called to Holy Worldliness
Dr. Mouw offers insight into understanding biblical foundations for the ministry of the laity, as well as developing practical guidelines for applying the gospel to the corporate dimensions of human life.
(Fortress Press, 1980)

Political Evangelism
Speaking out equally against political passivity and thoughtless activism, Dr. Mouw urges a political involvement that is “firmly grounded in submission to the Word of God in obedience to the Lord of the Church.”
(William B. Eerdmans, 1973)

Politics and the Biblical Drama
In this primer on the theology of political involvement, Dr. Mouw stresses that “to submit to the lordship of Jesus Christ is to become committed to the political dimensions of his lordship. But this commitment must also be carried out with critical reflection.”
(William B. Eerdmans, 1976)

Stained Glass: Worldviews and Social Science
(coedited with Paul A. Marshall and Sander Griffioen)
In a collection of essays originally presented at Calvin College, this book traces the origin and development of the concept of worldview in philosophy and examines its appropriation in the social sciences.
(University Press of America, 1988)

Objections to Christianity
Prepared in the early 1980s for the Christian Reformed Publications’ adult Sunday school curriculum, this book, using a variety of fictional devices (letters, short stories, interviews), discusses some key challenges to Christian belief. Topics covered include the problem of evil, sexual freedom. human potential, and scientific concerns.
(Bible Way, 1981)