Histories of American Christianity

Christopher H. Evans is Professor of the History of Christianity at Boston University School of Theology and is the author of several books, including Liberalism Without Illusions: Renewing an American Christian Tradition (2010). He lives in the Boston, Massachusetts area.

Acknowledgments Abbreviations Introduction Part I Constructing a Protestant Worldview, 1600-1800 1 American Puritanism Revisited 2 Unintended Diversity: The Growth of Colonial Christianity 3 The Great Awakening 4 The Revolutionary War and Religious Disestablishment Part II The Evangelical Empire and Its Critics, 1800-1865 5 Methodism and the Rise of Early Nineteenth-Century Popular Evangelicalism 6 Experimental Christianity 7 Conflicts of Twoness: Catholic and African American Christianities 8 The Perfection of Christian America: From Holiness to Civil War Part III American Christianity in Tumult, 1865-1920 9 Defending the Protestant Empire 10 Social Christianities and Social Gospels 11 Dispensationalism, Pentecostalism, and the Origins of Fundamentalism Part IV American Christianity and Modernity, 1920-1965 12 Christian Realignments between the World Wars 13 Civil Religion, Popular Religion, and the Renewal of Social Christianity Part V The Restructuring of American Christianity, 1965-2009 14 The Parameters of Pluralism 15 Retraditioning--Again Epilogue: Seeing the Future through the Past Notes Select Bibliography Index of Names Subject Index

"Evans writes with verve and energy, and his book is likely to turn the heads of those who imagine a history of American Christianity as having to do with stained glass and wooden pews." -- Ted A Campbell, Associate Professor of Church History, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University "Evans' distinctive approach to history and historiography pushes professors and students alike to think beyond what actually happened and to contemplate critically and sympathetically the range of choices historians have made in telling their particular tales. Histories of American Christianity helps us listen for and to the stories of America's religious past and helps us better comprehend the perils and possibilities of America's religious future." -- Elizabeth H Flowers, Assistant Professor, Texas Christian University & author of "Into the Pulpit: Southern Baptist Women & Power Since World War II" "Histories of American Christianity is bursting with the integrity of historical context and brocaded with fresh insights." -- Leonard Sweet, E Stanley Jones Professor at Drew University, Distinguished Visiting Professor at George Fox University "Christopher Evans succeeds in presenting a complicated story with clarity and insight." -- Mark Noll, author of "America's God: From Jonathan Edwards to Abraham Lincoln" "A rich and textured history that yields a fresh perspective on religious life in America." -- Randall Balmer, author of "The Making of Evangelicalism" ... a very highly recommended history for personal, seminary, community, and academic library Christian Studies and American History reference collections and supplemental reading lists. -- The Midwest Book Review ...an expert and accessible overview of the historiography of American Christianity. -- David Golding -- Anglican and Episcopal History ...an insightful and enjoyable read. -- Choice