Religion in American History

This student-friendly introduction combines both thematic and chronological approaches in exploring the pivotal role religion played in American history - and of its impact across a range of issues, from identity formation and politics, to race, gender, and class.

• A comprehensive introduction to American religious history that successfully combines thematic and chronological approaches, aiding both teaching and learning
  
• Brings together a stellar cast of experts to trace the development of theology, the political order, practice, and race, ethnicity, gender and class throughout America's history
  
• Accessibly structured in to four key eras: Exploration and Encounter (1492-1676); The Atlantic World (1676-1802); American Empire (1803-1898); and Global Reach (1898-present).
  
• Investigates the role of religion in forming people's identities, emotional experiences, social conflict, politics, and patriotism

How to use this book.

Notes on contributors.

Introduction, John Corrigan and Amanda Porterfield.

PART I: Exploration and Encounter (1492-1676).

1. Politics, Amanda Porterfield.

2. Cosmology, John Corrigan.

3. Community, Sarah Rivett.

4. Practice, Tracy Neal Leavelle.

PART II: Atlantic World (1676-1802).

5. Politics, Jon Sensbach.

6. Cosmology, Stephen Marini.

7. Community, Kenneth P. Minkema.

8. Practice, Martha L. Finch.

PART III: American Empire (1803-1898).

9. Politics, Mark A. Noll.

10. Cosmology, Robert Fuller.

11. Community, Heather D. Curtis.

12. Practice, Christopher White.

PART IV: Global Reach (1898-Present).

13. Politics, Charles H. Lippy.

14. Cosmology, Kathryn Lofton.

15. Community, Peter W. Williams.

16. Practice, Candy Gunther Brown.

Index.

“At a time when the role of faith and belief in American life is receiving renewed attention, this is a valuable introduction to the nation’s religious heritage.” (Journal of Ecclesiastical History, 1 July 2012)

Amanda Porterfield is Robert A. Spivey Professor of Religion and Professor of History at Florida State University. She has written books on the New England Puritans, Protestant women missionaries in the 19th century, and the transformation of American religion after 1960. Her publications include The Transformation of American Religion: The Story of a Late-Twentieth Century Awakening (2001); American Religious History (ed., Wiley-Blackwell, 2002); and The Protestant Experience in America (2006).

John Corrigan is the Lucius Moody Bristol Distinguished Professor of Religion and Professor of History at Florida State University. He has published extensively on American religious history, religion and emotion, religious intolerance, and religion and spatiality. His recent books include The Oxford Handbook of Religion and Emotion (2008) and Religious Intolerance in America: A Documentary History (with Lynn Neal, 2010).

Throughout the history of the United States, religion contributed both to forces of diversity, fragmentation, and factionalism, and also to the need for union and a sense of cultural belonging. Bringing together a team of the world’s leading scholars in the field, this book provides a cutting edge interpretation about the place of religion in American history and its impact across a range of issues, from identity formation and politics, to race, gender, and class.

With a crisp and engaging style, Religion in American History is a comprehensive introduction to the field of American religious history, ranging from the earliest contact between Europeans and Native Americans, right through to the present day. It is accessibly structured in to four key eras covering: exploration and encounter (1492−1676); the Atlantic world (1676−1802); American empire (1803−1898); and global reach (1898−present). Blending together a chronological approach with thematic organization, the chapters reference each other in ways that make possible interconnections between historical periods and among the different areas of religious life.

Porterfield and Corrigan have put together a stellar lineup of scholars and collectively produced a classroom-usable book that simultaneously defines and stretches the field of American religious history. Combining the best of historical and religious studies approaches, the themes of the chapters together with the chronological structure give readers fresh perspectives on the American religious past."
–Paul Harvey, University of Colorado

“Amanda Porterfield and John Corrigan have both opened new pathways to the study of American religious history. This superb text draws on that record of innovation, imagination, and insight to give us the story in a fresh and exciting way.”
–Brooks Holifield, Emory University

“A remarkably imaginative reading of religion in American history, the essays in this volume provide fresh insights into old materials and, at the same time, bring a wide array of new materials into view. This is, in short, an engaging tour through one of the most lively, contested, and important parts of the nation’s story.”
–Grant Wacker, Duke University