After Heaven
Book Description
American spirituality has undergone a profound transformation over the past several decades, and Robert Wuthnow offers a penetrating examination of this spiritual evolution in After Heaven. Drawing from extensive research, Wuthnow reveals how the religious landscape has shifted dramatically since the 1950s, moving away from traditional, institutionally-anchored faith toward something far more fluid and individualized.
The author traces how societal upheavals have fundamentally altered our relationship with the sacred. As families, communities, educational systems, and workplaces have experienced unprecedented change, the once-solid foundations that religious institutions provided for spiritual meaning have gradually weakened. This erosion has left many Americans navigating what Wuthnow identifies as a new spiritual reality.
Wuthnow contrasts today's seeking-oriented spirituality with the more settled, community-rooted faith that characterized the post-World War II era through the 1950s. He explores how this earlier model of spiritual "dwelling" provided stability and clear direction, while contemporary spiritual life often feels unmoored and searching.
For readers grappling with questions about modern faith, religious belonging, or the role of spirituality in an increasingly complex world, this scholarly yet accessible work provides valuable insights. Wuthnow's analysis helps illuminate why so many people today experience what he terms "spiritual homelessness" and offers a framework for understanding the ongoing transformation of American religious life.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)
🕉️ Tradition: Comparative Religion
📄 Length: 277 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Religious
- ✓ Explore timeless philosophical wisdom
- ✓ Explore Spiritual life
- ✓ Explore Spiritualität
- ✓ Explore Spiritualiteit
- ✓ Explore TRAVEL
- ✓ Explore Special Interest
- ✓ Explore Geschichte 1950-1995
