Stephen Chan is a doyen of world politics, a gentle authority who has narrated international relations for decades. The present study connects neatly to this unique legacy, as it is essential reading for everyone interested in the politics of religion.

Arshin Adib-Moghaddam, University of London, author of "Is Artificial Intelligence racist? The ethics of AI and the future of humanity"

Stephan Chan takes a unique, innovative approach to the role of monotheistic religion in the world today, those that consider their doctrines are derived from a holy text and followers are 'people of the book.' He first discusses the three explicit monotheistic religions, relying on the works of many well-known, contemporary scholars to support his arguments, then brings them together and draws upon how other religions also envision an embodied god and address temporal conflict. This is a must-read for all interested in the interplay of politics and religion in the contemporary, volatile world.

Anita M. Weiss, Professor Emerita, University of Oregon

In this time of rampant religious nationalism, Stephen Chan explores some of the ways in which throughout history the religious narratives of the religions of the book have been shaping global politics - a set of erudite and stimulating meditations sketching the ambivalence of the sacred and pointing to the potential for internationalism of these three interlinked traditions.

Fabio Petito, University of Sussex

In this new book, Stephen Chan offers a series of insightful reflections on the politics of religion. Erudite and provocative at times, he foregrounds different human imaginations of God and then explores their implications for the struggle over power in domestic and international affairs.

Roland Bleiker, University of Queensland