Inventing a Christian America : the myth of the religious founding / Steven K. Green

Object Details

author

Green, Steven K (Steven Keith) 1955-

Contents

Introduction: The Christian nation debate, methodological fallacies, and the role of myths -- A haven for religious freedom -- A model for Christian and civil government -- The revolutionary and constitutional impulse -- A government of men -- The birth of a myth -- Conclusion

Summary

"Among the most enduring themes in American history is the idea that the United States was founded as a Christian nation. A pervasive narrative in everything from school textbooks to political commentary, it is central to the way in which many Americans perceive the historical legacy of their nation. Yet, as Steven K. Green shows in this illuminating new book, it is little more than a myth. In Inventing a Christian America, Green, a leading historian of religion and politics, explores the historical record that is purported to support the popular belief in America's religious founding and status as a Christian nation. He demonstrates that, like all myths, these claims are based on historical 'facts' that have been colored by the interpretive narratives that have been imposed upon them. In tracing the evolution of these claims and the evidence levied in support of them from the founding of the New England colonies, through the American Revolution, and to the present day, he investigates how they became leading narratives in the country's collective identity. Three critical moments in American history shaped and continue to drive the myth of a Christian America: the Puritan founding of New England, the American Revolution and the forging of a new nation, and the early years of the nineteenth century, when a second generation of Americans sought to redefine and reconcile the memory of the founding to match their religious and patriotic aspirations. Seeking to shed light not only on the veracity of these ideas but on the reasons they endure, Green ultimately shows that the notion of America's religious founding is a myth not merely in the colloquial sense, but also in a deeper sense, as a shared story that gives deeper meaning to our collective national identity. Offering a fresh look at one of the most common and contested claims in American history, Inventing a Christian America is an enlightening read for anyone interested in the story of--and the debate over--America's founding"--Provided by publisher.

2015

Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775

Revolution, 1775-1783

1783-1815

Type

Books

Physical description

xi, 295 pages ; 25 cm

Place

United States

New England

Smithsonian Libraries

Topic

Christianity and politics--History

Church and state--History

Founding Fathers of the United States--Religious life

Freedom of religion--History

National characteristics, American--History

Collective memory--History

History

Errors, inventions, etc

Record ID

siris_sil_1052332

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0