American Covenant : A History of Civil Religion From the Puritans to the Present

**An authoritative account of the long battle between exclusionary and inclusive versions of the American story** Was the United States founded as a Christian nation or a secular democracy? Neither, argues Philip Gorski in __American Covenant__. What the founders actually envisioned was a prophetic republic that would weave together the ethical vision of the Hebrew prophets and the Western political heritage of civic republicanism. In this ambitious book, Gorski shows why this civil religious tradition is now in peril—and with it the American experiment. Gorski traces the historical development of prophetic republicanism from the Puritan era to the present day. He provides close readings of thinkers such as John Winthrop, Thomas Jefferson, Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Hannah Arendt, along with insightful portraits of recent and contemporary religious and political leaders such as Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. Gorski shows how the founders' original vision for America is threatened by an internecine struggle between two rival traditions, religious nationalism and radical secularism. Religious nationalism is a form of militaristic hyperpatriotism that imagines the United States as a divine instrument in the final showdown between good and evil. Radical secularists fervently deny the positive contributions of the Judeo-Christian tradition to the American project and seek to remove all traces of religious expression from the public square. Gorski offers an unsparing critique of both, demonstrating how half a century of culture war has drowned out the quieter voices of the vital center. __American Covenant__ makes the compelling case that if we are to rebuild that vital center, we must recover the civil religious tradition on which the republic was founded. Was The United States Founded As A Christian Nation Or A Secular Democracy? Neither, Argues Philip Gorski In American Covenant. What The Founders Actually Envisioned Was A Prophetic Republic That Would Weave Together The Ethical Vision Of The Hebrew Prophets And The Western Political Heritage Of Civic Republicanism. In This Ambitious Book, Gorski Shows Why This Civil Religious Tradition Is Now In Peril--and With It The American Experiment. Gorski Traces The Historical Development Of Prophetic Republicanism From The Puritan Era To The Present Day. He Provides Close Readings Of Thinkers Such As John Winthrop, Thomas Jefferson, Frederick Douglass, W.e.b. Du Bois, And Hannah Arendt, Along With Insightful Portraits Of Recent And Contemporary Religious And Political Leaders Such As Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, And Barack Obama. Gorski Shows How The Founders' Original Vision For America Is Threatened By An Internecine Struggle Between Two Rival Traditions, Religious Nationalism And Radical Secularism. Religious Nationalism Is A Form Of Militaristic Hyperpatriotism That Imagines The United States As A Divine Instrument In The Final Showdown Between Good And Evil. Radical Secularists Fervently Deny The Positive Contributions Of The Judeo-christian Tradition To The American Project And Seek To Remove All Traces Of Religious Expression From The Public Square. Gorski Offers An Unsparing Critique Of Both, Demonstrating How Half A Century Of Culture War Has Drowned Out The Quieter Voices Of The Vital Center. American Covenant Makes The Compelling Case That If We Are To Rebuild That Vital Center, We Must Recover The Civil Religious Tradition On Which The Republic Was Founded.--amazon. Prophetic Republicanism As Vital Center -- The Civil Religious Tradition And Its Rivals -- The Hebraic Republicanism: The American Revolution -- Democratic Republicanism: The Civil War -- The Progressive Era: Empire And The Republic -- The Post-world War Ii Period: Jew, Protestant, Catholic -- From Reagan To Obama: Tradition Corrupted And (almost) Recovered -- The Civil Religion: Critics And Allies -- The Righteous Republic. Philip Gorski. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "Was the United States founded as a Christian nation or a secular democracy? Neither, argues Philip Gorski in American Covenant. What the founders actually envisioned was a prophetic republic that would weave together the ethical vision of the Hebrew prophets and the Western political heritage of civic republicanism. In this ambitious book, Gorski shows why this civil religious tradition is now in peril-and with it the American experiment. Gorski traces the historical development of prophetic republicanism from the Puritan era to the present day. He provides close readings of thinkers such as John Winthrop, Thomas Jefferson, Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Hannah Arendt, along with insightful portraits of recent and contemporary religious and political leaders such as Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. Gorski shows how the founders' original vision for America is threatened by an internecine struggle between two rival traditions, religious nationalism and radical secularism. Religious nationalism is a form of militaristic hyperpatriotism that imagines the United States as a divine instrument in the final showdown between good and evil. Radical secularists fervently deny the positive contributions of the Judeo-Christian tradition to the American project and seek to remove all traces of religious expression from the public square. Gorski offers an unsparing critique of both, demonstrating how half a century of culture war has drowned out the quieter voices of the vital center. American Covenant makes the compelling case that if we are to rebuild that vital center, we must recover the civil religious tradition on which the republic was founded. Philip Gorski is professor of sociology and religious studies at Yale University. His books include The Protestant Ethic Revisited and The Disciplinary Revolution: Calvinism and the Rise of the State in Early Modern Europe" (ed.)

The long battle between exclusionary and inclusive versions of the American story

Was America founded as a Christian nation or a secular democracy? Neither, argues Philip Gorski inAmerican Covenant. What the founders envisioned was a prophetic republic that would weave together the ethical vision of the Hebrew prophets and the Western political heritage of civic republicanism. In this eye-opening book, Gorski shows why this civil religious tradition is now in peril-and with it the American experiment.

American Covenant traces the history of prophetic republicanism from the Puritan era to today, providing insightful portraits of figures ranging from John Winthrop and W.E.B. Du Bois to Jerry Falwell, Ronald Reagan, and Barack Obama. Featuring a new preface by the author, this incisive book demonstrates how half a century of culture war has drowned out the quieter voices of the vital center, and demonstrates that if we are to rebuild that center, we must recover the civil religious tradition on which the republic was founded The long battle between exclusionary and inclusive versions of the American story Was America founded as a Christian nation or a secular democracy? Neither, argues Philip Gorski in American Covenant . What the founders envisioned was a prophetic republic that would weave together the ethical vision of the Hebrew prophets and the Western political heritage of civic republicanism. In this eye-opening book, Gorski shows why this civil religious tradition is now in peril—and with it the American experiment. American Covenant traces the history of prophetic republicanism from the Puritan era to today, providing insightful portraits of figures ranging from John Winthrop and W.E.B. Du Bois to Jerry Falwell, Ronald Reagan, and Barack Obama. Featuring a new preface by the author, this incisive book demonstrates how half a century of culture war has drowned out the quieter voices of the vital center, and demonstrates that if we are to rebuild that center, we must recover the civil religious tradition on which the republic was founded. Cover Title Copyright CONTENTS Preface: Three Trips to Philadelphia Acknowledgments INTRODUCTION. Prophetic Republicanism as Vital Center CHAPTER 1. The Civil Religious Tradition and Its Rivals CHAPTER 2. The Hebraic Moment: The New England Puritans CHAPTER 3. Hebraic Republicanism: The American Revolution CHAPTER 4. Democratic Republicanism: The Civil War CHAPTER 5. The Progressive Era: Empire and the Republic CHAPTER 6. The Post–World War II Period: Jew, Protestant, Catholic CHAPTER 7. From Reagan to Obama: Tradition Corrupted and (Almost) Recovered CHAPTER 8. The Civil Religion: Critics and Allies CONCLUSION. The Righteous Republic Notes References Index