Theology in America: Christian Thought from the Age of the Puritans to the Civil War Rating :
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
34 of 36 people found the following review helpful.
"Deep and Wide"
By T. B. Vick
This text is monumental for many reasons. First, it is the most comprehensive text of its kind. 'Of its kind' merely means that there is no other text-at least that I am aware of-that covers, in as much detail the theological trends, movements, and groups, and individual thinkers/theologians in American historical theology. Second, the text is very well written, well documented, researched, and structured. This makes it easy for the reader to glean information and facts from its content.
Another excellent feature of this text is its examination of not only Protestant movements, groups, and thinkers, but Catholic movements, groups and thinkers as well.
Holifield begins his work with Calvinistic origins (focusing on Jonathan Edwards, and then moves into other groups such as Unitarians, Diests, Methodists, Baptists, Episcopal, and even Black theology. From here, Holifield discusses Lutherans, Catholics, Transcendentalists, several individual thinkers such as Horace Bushnell, and Isaac Hecker (transcendental Catholics).
Scattered throughout the text, Holifield describes how certain thinkers such as Kant and Hume, for example, had an impact on certain other thinkers and religious movements or groups. These 'tid bits' of extra history are very helpful for the reader to gain a better grasp of what was going on historically during certain movements, etc. As an added bonus, Holifield devotes an entire chapter to the affects of slavery in American religious history.
Overall, this is a great text for the person who wishes to gain greater insight into historical theology, Church history, and/or theological movements.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful.a monument
By A Customer
This work will be the standard text in the history of theology in America. Other books may attract attention through daring theses or unsubstantiated claims. Holifield's thorough examination of all relevant sources and his measured claims lift his text above the rest. Though some will find its intellectual angle parochial, the author makes no unwarranted arguments from theological text to social situation.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful.The quest for a reasonable faith before the age of Darwinism
By Clarke H. Morledge
Holifield's book is simply outstanding. Granted, you do need some basic grounding in theology, philosophy and church history to really get into the text. But Holifield's theme of American Christian thinkers seeking to understand the relationship between reason and faith is extremely helpful. The dawning of America is intricately tied into the rise of the Enlightenment. As American Christianity develops, the leading theologians of the church must contend with challenges raised by modern rationalist thought. From the philosophical footwork of John Locke and Thomas Reid to the limitations of Baconian reasoning in dealing with the subject of slavery in biblical interpretation, Holifield weaves a very full and engaging intellectual historical narrative. Some of Holifield's subjects, such Jonathan Edwards, are fully involved in the Enlightenment struggle, whereas others retreat from the intellectual challenges of the modern era. Nevertheless, God's Kingdom marches on in all of its amazing (and, frankly, discouraging at times) diversity in the life of the church. Holifield's history is very thought provoking, and it really gives you a hunger to learn more. It deserves another read in the future, for sure!As an observation, I find it really incredible to realize that most modern Americans have very little exposure to the thoughts that are expressed in this book. For example, Thomas Reid is a central figure but most modern historical reflections on philosophy regard him as a point on the conservative fringe. With the exception of today's conservative Reformed Calvinists, you hardly find any mention of Jonathan Edwards, except for his "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" sermon in our public education (and even Christian private education). Many thanks go to Holifield for setting the historical record straight.
Product Description
This book, the most comprehensive survey of early American Christian theology ever written, encompasses scores of American theological traditions, schools of thought, and thinkers. E. Brooks Holifield examines mainstream Protestant and Catholic traditions as well as those of more marginal groups. He looks closely at the intricacies of American theology from 1636 to 1865 and considers the social and institutional settings for religious thought during this period.
The book explores a range of themes, including the strand of Christian thought that sought to demonstrate the reasonableness of Christianity, the place of American theology within the larger European setting, the social location of theology in early America, and the special importance of the Calvinist traditions in the development of American theology. Broad in scope and deep in its insights, this magisterial book acquaints us with the full chorus of voices that contributed to theological conversation in America’s early years.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #374342 in Books
- Published on: 2005-03-11
- Original language:English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 9.17" h x6.57" w x1.34" l,1.92 pounds
- Binding: Paperback
- 640 pages
No comments :
Post a Comment