This book is an introduction to the diverse role that Christianity has played in American history. The multi-perspective approach of the volume reflects not only the pluralistic nature of Christianity's role in American culture but also the breadth of interpretive methods used in the study of American religious history. The thirty three essays cluster around five main themes: religion and culture, religion and ethnicity, religious thought, 'mainstream' religion, and alternatives in religion, and underscore Christianity's mult-iformed influence in American history. The general introduction to the volume includes guidelines on how to use the work as a resource. Introductions to each of the essays highlight both the interpretive significance of the particular essay as well as the importance of the topic in American religious history. 407 pages, softcover from Abindgon.
|