Religion in a revolutionary age

Book Description

Religion in a Revolutionary Age offers readers a profound exploration of how spiritual beliefs shaped one of history's most transformative periods. Through eleven carefully crafted essays, this collection reveals the intricate ways faith influenced both the American Revolution and the formation of the nation's governing principles.

The book examines religious experience from multiple perspectives, beginning with contrasting views of colonial spiritual life. Some scholars emphasize the institutional power and authority that defined religious expression, while others highlight how most colonists were religious dissenters who challenged traditional English values. This tension between established authority and spiritual rebellion becomes a central theme throughout the work.

Readers will discover how different groups experienced faith during this revolutionary period. The collection explores women's religious motivations and their surprising impact on political processes, traces the early development of African-American Christianity in the South, and examines how working-class communities in cities like Philadelphia integrated spiritual beliefs with their daily struggles. The evangelical movement receives particular attention, especially its attempts to reconcile Christian faith with emerging republican ideals.

The relationship between religion and political culture forms another crucial dimension of this study. Essays analyze how religious delegates influenced constitutional conventions, examine religious provisions in founding documents, and explore how major denominations restructured their governance during this era of change.

For those seeking to understand how spiritual movements intersect with social transformation, this scholarly yet accessible work provides valuable insights into faith's enduring influence on American society.