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The Resource Inventing a Christian America : the myth of the religious founding, Steven K. Green

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

Creator
Author
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
Language
eng
Work
Publication
Extent
xi, 295 pages
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
Isbn
9780190675226
Instance
Label
Inventing a Christian America : the myth of the religious founding
Title
Inventing a Christian America
Title remainder
the myth of the religious founding
Statement of responsibility
Steven K. Green
Creator
Author
Subject
Genre
Language
eng
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
Cataloging source
DLC
http://library.link/vocab/creatorDate
1955-
http://library.link/vocab/creatorName
Green, Steven K.
Index
index present
Literary form
non fiction
Nature of contents
bibliography
http://library.link/vocab/subjectName
  • Umschulungswerkstätten für Siedler und Auswanderer
  • Christianity and politics
  • Church and state
  • United States
  • New England
  • United States
  • United States
  • Founding Fathers of the United States
  • Freedom of religion
  • National characteristics, American
  • Collective memory
  • Christianisme et politique
  • Église et État
  • Nouvelle-Angleterre
  • États-Unis
  • États-Unis
  • Pères fondateurs des États-Unis
  • Liberté religieuse
  • Mémoire collective
  • 15.85 history of America
  • HISTORY
  • HISTORY
  • RELIGION
  • Christianity and politics
  • Church and state
  • Collective memory
  • Freedom of religion
  • National characteristics, American
  • New England
  • United States
  • Christentum
  • Geschichtsbild
  • Staat
  • Kirche
  • Religionsfreiheit
  • Zivilreligion
  • Christianity and politics
  • Church and state
  • Founding Fathers of the United States
  • Freedom of religion
  • National characteristics, American
  • Collective memory
  • United States
  • New England
  • United States
  • United States
  • Kristendom
Label
Inventing a Christian America : the myth of the religious founding, Steven K. Green
Instantiates
Publication
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references and index
Carrier category
volume
Carrier category code
  • nc
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Content category
text
Content type code
  • txt
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
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
Control code
893455413
Dimensions
25 cm
Extent
xi, 295 pages
Isbn
9780190675226
Lccn
2014035665
Media category
unmediated
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Media type code
  • n
Note
WorldCat record variable field(s) change: 650, 651
System control number
(OCoLC)893455413
Label
Inventing a Christian America : the myth of the religious founding, Steven K. Green
Publication
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references and index
Carrier category
volume
Carrier category code
  • nc
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Content category
text
Content type code
  • txt
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
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
Control code
893455413
Dimensions
25 cm
Extent
xi, 295 pages
Isbn
9780190675226
Lccn
2014035665
Media category
unmediated
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Media type code
  • n
Note
WorldCat record variable field(s) change: 650, 651
System control number
(OCoLC)893455413

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Genre

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