This work treats presidential leadership as persuasive communication. The major theories of presidential leadership found in the literature establish the central role of persuasion, and introduce the interpretive systems approach to political communication as a theoretical framework for the study of presidential leadership as persuasion. Case studies examine recent presidents' use of public persuasion to perform their leadership functions. Particular attention is devoted to coalitional constraints on presidential pardoning rhetoric, presidential leadership through the politics of division, the political significance of conflicting political narratives, the sermonic nature of much 20th-century presidential discourse, the difficulties inherent in persuading the public to make sacrifices, and the dangers of relying too heavily on public rhetoric. The concluding chapter considers the rhetoric that contributed to the demise of the Bush presidency, the election of Bill Clinton, and the challenges facing the Clinton presidency.

In this challenging book, Craig Smith propounds the novel thesis that the famous lines in 2 Timothy 4 where 'Paul' announces that the time of his departure has come have been misunderstood. This is no farewell speech, Smith avers, and Paul is not intending to pass on the baton to his younger colleague, Timothy. Deploying epistolary analysis and rhetorical criticism, Smith shows that these verses (4.1-8) do not have the literary structure or the vocabulary of a testament or a farewell; rather, they are a 'charge', an authoritative command, comprised of five specific formal elements. This charge form is found also in the exorcism command and in some magical texts, Christian and non-Christian. From this perspective, Paul's being poured out as a libation is his experience of preaching to the Gentiles at his first trial, his 'departure' is the imminent release from prison that he is expecting, the fight he has fought and the race he has finished are his trial that he has withstood. Far from appointing Timothy as his successor, he is contemplating a continued companionship and collegiality as they continue their ministry together.

Chinese Asianism examines Chinese intellectual discussions of East Asian solidarity, analyzing them in connection with Chinese nationalism and Sino-Japanese relations. Beginning with texts written after the first Sino-Japanese War of 1894 and concluding with Wang Jingwei's failed government in World War II, Craig Smith engages with a period in which the Chinese empire had crumbled and intellectuals were struggling to adapt to imperialism, new and hegemonic forms of government, and radically different epistemes. He considers a wide range of writings that show the depth of the pre-war discourse on Asianism and the influence it had on the rise of nationalism in China. Asianism was a "call" for Asian unity, Smith finds, but advocates of a united and connected Asia based on racial or civilizational commonalities also utilized the packaging of Asia for their own agendas, to the extent that efforts towards international regionalism spurred the construction of Chinese nationalism. Asianism shaped Chinese ideas of nation and region, often by translating and interpreting Japanese perspectives, and leaving behind a legacy in the concepts and terms that persist in the twenty-first century. As China plays a central role in regional East Asian development, Asianism is once again of great importance today.

We all long for God to move in our lives, but are you ready to see it when it happens? The Bible is filled with stories of those who saw God moving and caught the ride of their lives. But for nearly every inspiring example there is a cautionary tale of those who somehow missed the Almighty in their midst. Join Christian pastor, scholar, speaker and author Craig A. Smith for a faith-transforming investigation into what caused these men and women to miss God moving...and learn how not to make the same mistakes Includes life-application questions, reflections and activities for small group discussion.

Part of the Tough Questions - Real Answers series, The Voice tackles one of the most-asked questions of our day: what is God's will for me? From a biblical overview of the ways God communicates to a hard look at whether or not we're willing to do His will when we know it, The Voice will help you hear - and respond - to God in the modern world. Perfect for students and anywone else facing tough decisions in life.

The kingdom of God is one of the Bible's most important themes, yet many Christians today have only the vaguest understanding of what the Kingdom really is. Tragically, apart from an adequate understanding of the Kingdom, we can never fully understand what it means to be made in the Image of God, what victory the gospel truly proclaims or what hope heaven really holds. Craig A. Smith, Ph.D. is a pastor, writer and teacher. He lectures in Theology and New Testament at Denver Seminary and is a popular conference and retreat speaker.