Compositions of, methods of making, and methods of using alkaline earth phosphate bone cements are disclosed. A bone cement composition includes a powder comprising a basic source of calcium, magnesium, or strontium, a setting solution comprising H3PO4 and a buffer, and a biocompatible polymer that is incorporated into the setting solution. The powder is mixed with the setting solution to form a bone cement paste that either (a) sets into a hardened mass, or (b) is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation to form dry powders, the dry powders then being mixed with a second setting solution to form a radiation-assisted bone cement paste that sets into a hardened mass.