New Helms School of Government publication takes up issues of biblical principles in government

In less than a month, articles from the Liberty University Helms School of Government’s first peer-reviewed Journal of Statesmanship & Public Policy have garnered nearly 700 downloads and have been read throughout the United States, Europe, and around the globe.

The online exclusive contains nine research articles exploring topics such as capitalism and biblical ethics, biblical principles of government and criminal justice, the quest for stability in the Middle East, and more. It also features two book reviews and an analysis article.

“It was an honor to help develop our vision for the Liberty University Journal of Statesmanship & Public Policy and to see the first issue from conception to final product,” said Bess Blackburn, one of the three editors-in-chief and a graduate history student at Liberty. “This certainly was a team effort, and I am grateful to my colleagues and faculty advisors for their advice, perseverance, and desire to see this journal flourish.”

In his introduction, Helms School of Government Dean Robert Hurt outlined the mission and purpose of this inaugural issue: “to offer a place for the free exchange of ideas and the robust debate of issues of national and state importance while promoting public policy that is consistent with the fundamental principles of American freedom: self-government, free enterprise, and the Rule of Law.”

The publication, Hurt said, stems from a giant progressive wave sweeping across college campuses nationwide, which undermines traditional, hard-won American freedoms.

“It is also our hope that the Journal will help prepare our Liberty graduates to be a part of a new generation of young people who will be fully prepared to engage in the battle to defend and preserve our precious American freedom,” Hurt writes.

After the Helms School of Government announced the launch of the Journal in April, faculty advisors Dr. Kahlib Fischer and Dr. Mary Prentice received roughly 70 submissions from Liberty faculty and graduate and doctoral students.

“It was encouraging to see so many submissions,” Fischer said. “For a lot of the submitters, the process itself is just as important as the finished product. … It’s not just an academic exercise where all we care about is having this journal. Ultimately, we care about mentoring our students and encouraging them in their growth.”

Hurt said the final product would not be possible without efforts from editors-in-chief Bess Blackburn, Shaddi Spencer, and Nicholas Stark — all Liberty graduate students — as well as Communications Director Catherine Latchford, Marketing Director Andy Langeland, and all the contributing writers and editors.

“The first issue of any publication holds specific significance — and it is no different with the Liberty University Journal of Statesmanship & Public Policy,” Blackburn said. “In this inaugural issue, it was only right to harken back to our own inaugural days as Americans, and to focus on the aspects which make American politics unique, including human rights issues in national ideals like freedom and justice, and the movement toward a more perfect union through the power of civil discourse in the public square. As an Editor-in- Chief, it is my hope that this journal continues to positively affect our American political discourse so that both our nation and our world might be bettered by loving our neighbor as Christ Himself taught.”

The initial review for the next Fall/Winter issue is already in progress. Liberty affiliates who are interested in writing articles for potential publication can submit them HERE.