divided heart, The
essays on Protestantism and the Enlightenment in America
Henry Farnham May
219 pages | ~6 hrs
divided heart, The
essays on Protestantism and the Enlightenment in America
By Henry Farnham May
In The Divided Heart, distinguished historian Henry F. May explores one of America's most enduring spiritual tensions: the ongoing struggle between Protestant faith and Enlightenment rationalism that has shaped our nation's cultural identity for centuries.
Through a collection of thoughtful essays that blend scholarly insight with personal reflection, May examines how this fundamental conflict has influenced American religious and intellectual life. His exploration spans from early American history through pivotal figures like Jonathan Edwards, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Reinhold Niebuhr, revealing how each generation has grappled with reconciling faith and reason.
May's work offers readers a unique perspective on the "uneasy relation" between religious conviction and intellectual inquiry in American culture. He traces this tension through constitutional debates and what he terms the "Jeffersonian Moment," showing how these competing worldviews have continuously shaped our national discourse.
The collection includes May's personal journey as a historian, sharing the influences that formed his thinking and the assumptions that guide his work. In his final essay, he ventures into new territory, examining the transition from Enlightenment to Romanticism and its implications for understanding spiritual and intellectual development.
For readers seeking to understand the deeper currents that influence American spirituality and thought, The Divided Heart provides valuable insights into the ongoing dialogue between faith and reason that continues to shape our cultural landscape.
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Siècle des lumières
- ✓ Explore United states, religion
- ✓ Explore Églises protestantes
- ✓ Explore Religion et État
- ✓ Explore Protestantismus
- ✓ Explore Church history
- ✓ Explore Vie intellectuelle
- ✓ Learn about the path to enlightenment
Topics
Details
- Published
- 1991
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- ISBN-10
- 0195058992
- Pages
- 219
- Language
- EN
