John Carlson

John Carlson is an Associate Professor at Arizona State University’s School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies and Director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict. His work bridges religious ethics, political philosophy, and international affairs, focusing on themes like religion and violence, justice, and civil religion in American politics.

• Education
  • PhD in Religious Ethics, University of Chicago Divinity School
  • MA in Religious Ethics, University of Chicago Divinity School
  • BA in Political Science, Vanderbilt University

His research emphasizes the intersection of religion, ethics, and political life, including Christian realism, just war theory, and religion’s role in conflict resolution. Current research explores the moral order of politics through a political-theological lens.

Recent publications analyze civil religion in American politics (2025), war ethics (2021, 2008), and religion’s influence on human rights (2006).

• Professional Affiliations
  • American Academy of Religion
  • Society of Christian Ethics
  • Lincoln Center Applied Ethics

As a principal investigator, he has secured grants from the Henry R. Luce Foundation, Ford Foundation, and American Council of Learned Societies. He co-directs the Recovering Truth project, which produces a podcast on religion and politics.