The Role of Religion in American Life: An Interpretive Historical Anthology
Edition: 4
Copyright: 2015
Pages: 400
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$94.80 USD
The Role of Religion in American Life: An Interpretive Historical Anthology explores the complex and evolving relationship between religion and American society from the colonial period to the modern era. Through a collection of primary sources, speeches, essays, sermons, and historical writings, the anthology examines how religious beliefs have shaped American culture, politics, social movements, and national identity. The readings highlight the influence of Christianity and other religious perspectives on major events, including colonial settlement, the Great Awakening, the American Revolution, reform movements, slavery debates, westward expansion, and the Civil War.
Organized chronologically, the anthology traces the changing role of religion in the United States from the establishment of early religious communities through twentieth- and twenty-first-century debates over science, social justice, civil rights, war, politics, and national values. By presenting voices from figures such as Jonathan Edwards, Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King Jr., Billy Graham, Malcolm X, and others, the book encourages readers to consider how faith traditions have both reflected and influenced the challenges and transformations of American life. It provides students with a historical framework for understanding religion as a powerful force in shaping American experiences, identities, and institutions.
Part I: Establishing America (1607–1820)
Chapter 1: Religion and Colonial Massachusetts
Bradford’s History of Plymouth Plantation, 1620–1647
William Bradford
A Model of Christian Charity
John Winthrop
“That American Jezebel”
John Winthrop
Chapter 2: The Great Awakening
Some Thoughts Concerning the Present Revival of Religion in New England
Jonathan Edwards
Seasonable Thoughts on the State of Religion in New England
Charles Chauncy
The Testimony of Harvard College Against George Whitefield
Chapter 3: The Coming of the American Revolution
Discourse Concerning Unlimited Submission
Jonathan Mayhew
A Calm Address to Our American Colonies
John Wesley
The Church’s Flight into the Wilderness
Samuel Sherwood, A.M.
Chapter 4: Sources and Impact of the Second Awakening
Attack on Infidelity
Timothy Dwight
Forming the American Bible Society
The Need for Western Colleges
Part II: Expanding America (1820–1865)
Chapter 5: The Age of Revivalism and Reform
The Church Must Take Right Ground
Charles G. Finney
The Way of Holiness
Phoebe Palmer
Human Aliment and the Wines of Scripture
Sylvester Graham
Chapter 6: Slavery
The Bible Against Slavery
Theodore D. Weld
What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?
Frederick Douglass
The Holding of a Slave Not a Sin
Samuel B. How, D.D.
Chapter 7: Manifest Destiny
Justification by Scripture
John Quincy Adams
Letter to Rev. L. P. Judson
Marcus Whitman
Redeem Mexico from Misrule and Civil Strife
Robert F. Stockton
Chapter 8: Religion and the Civil War
An Address to Christians Throughout the World
Reminiscences of the Civil War
John B. Gordon
Address at the Raising of the Union Flag over Fort Sumter
Henry Ward Beecher
Part III: Energizing America (1865–1920)
Chapter 9: Science and Religion
What Is Darwinism?
Charles Hodge
Evolution
James Woodrow
Evolution and Religion
Henry Ward Beecher
Chapter 10: The Gospel of Wealth and Big Business
Wealth
Andrew Carnegie
The Relation of Wealth to Morals
William Lawrence
Acres of Diamonds
Russell H. Conwell
Chapter 11: The Social Gospel
Applied Christianity
Washington Gladden
The Social Relief Work of the Salvation Army in the United States
Commander Booth Tucker
In His Steps
Charles M. Sheldon
Chapter 12: Theology
The New Theology
Theodore T. Munger
Present Day Theology
Washington Gladden
A Theology for the Social Gospel
Walter Rauschenbusch
Chapter 13: Religion and International Relations
Our Country
Josiah Strong
The March of the Flag
Albert J. Beveridge
America’s Mission
William Jennings Bryan
Part IV: Evaluating America Since 1920
Chapter 14: America and Religion in the Uncertain Twenties
This Is That
Aimee Semple McPherson
The Man Nobody Knows
Bruce Barton
The World’s Most Famous Court Trial: Tennessee Evolution Case
Chapter 15: Religion in the Age of Depression
Humanist Manifesto I
A Christian Manifesto
Edwin Lewis
Why No Revival?
The Christian Century
Chapter 16: Religion During Hot and Cold Wars
The Churches and the Clergy in World War II
Ray Abrams
America’s Atomic Atrocity
The Christian Century
America’s Hour of Decision
Billy Graham
Chapter 17: Religious Responses to the Turbulent Sixties
Letter from Birmingham City Jail
Martin Luther King Jr.
The Christian and Vietnam
Charles C. West
The Jesus People
Ronald M. Enroth
Chapter 18: Religion and the Search for National Stability
Perils of Politics
Charles Colson
Abortion and the Conscience of the Nation
Ronald Reagan
The Aftermath of 9/11 and the American Muslim Community
Yvonne Yazbeck Haddad
Robert R. Mathisen is an American historian and political scientist best known for his scholarly work on American religious history. He holds a Master of Arts degree from Ball State University and has served as Professor of History and Political Science at Corban College in Oregon