American Gospel — God, the Founding Fathers , and the Making of a Nation
American Gospel God the Founding Fathers and the Making of a Nation
The American Gospel–literally, the good news about America–is that religion shapes our public life without controlling it. In this vivid book, New York Times bestselling author Jon Meacham tells the human story of how the Founding Fathers viewed faith, and how they ultimately created a nation in which belief in God is a matter of choice.
At a time when our country seems divided by extremism, American Gospel draws on the past to offer a new perspective. Meacham re-creates the fascinating history of a nation grappling with religion and politics–from John Winthrop's "city on a hill" sermon to Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence; from the Revolution to the Civil War; from a proposed nineteenth-century Christian Amendment to the Constitution to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s call for civil rights; from George Washington to Ronald Reagan.
Debates about religion and politics are often more divisive than illuminating. Secularists point to a "wall of separation between church and state," while many conservatives act as though the Founding Fathers were apostles in knee britches. As Meacham shows in this brisk narrative, neither extreme has it right. At the heart of the American experiment lies the God of what Benjamin Franklin called "public religion," a God who invests all human beings with inalienable rights while protecting private religion from government interference. It is a great American balancing act, and it has served us well.
Meacham has written and spoken extensively about religion and politics, and he brings historical authority and a sense of hope to the issue. American Gospel makes it compellingly clear that the nation's best chance of summoning what Lincoln called "the better angels of our nature" lies in recovering the spirit and sense of the Founding. In looking back, we may find the light to lead us forward.
"In his American Gospel, Jon Meacham provides a refreshingly clear, balanced, and wise historical portrait of religion and American politics at exactly the moment when such fairness and understanding are much needed. Anyone who doubts the relevance of history to our own time has only to read this exceptional book."–David McCullough, author of 1776
"Jon Meacham has given us an insightful and eloquent account of the spiritual foundation of the early days of the American republic. It is especially instructive reading at a time when the nation is at once engaged in and deeply divided on the question of religion and its place in public life."–Tom Brokaw, author of The Greatest Generation
"An absorbing narrative full of vivid characters and fresh thinking, American Gospel tells how the Founding Fathers–and their successors–struggled with their own religious and political convictions to work out the basic structure for freedom of religion. For me this book was nonstop reading."–Elaine Pagels, professor of religion, Princeton University, author of Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas
"Jon Meacham is one of our country's most brilliant thinkers about religion's impact on American society. In this scintillating and provocative book, Meacham reveals the often-hidden influence of religious belief on the Founding Fathers and on later generations of American citizens and leaders up to our own. Today, as we argue more strenuously than ever about the proper place of religion in our politics and the rest of American life, Meacham's important book should serve as the touchstone of the debate."
–Michael Beschloss, author of The Conquerors
"At a time when faith and freedom seem increasingly polarized, American Gospel recovers our vital center–the middle ground where, historically, religion and public life strike a delicate balance. Well researched, well written, inspiring, and persuasive, this is a welcome addition to the literature."–Jonathan D. Sarna, Joseph H. & Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History, Brandeis University, author of American Judaism: A History
From the Hardcover edition.
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Excellent length, detail for drive-time listening
As an example of serious audio non-fiction, Jon Meacham's book is excellent, with a presentation that is neither too long nor too shallow, with background, analysis and insight that moves right along through American history. The six CDs obviously focus mostly on the Founders directly and indirectly, as key moments in American history test the Founders' wisdom and adapt the American ideal to fresh circumstances.
A student of history will already know many of the basics that Meacham covers, with the book adding detail and connecting themes, often expressed in the wonderfully articulate classical style of the Founders. To me, the fresh look and additional perspective on somewhat familiar topics were well-suited for an audio book, where 100% concentration may not be available.
Meacham is well balanced in his thesis, which is that the "wall of separation" allows for some place for public religion, while retaining a sharp distinction in many scenarios brought forth by opponents and proponents of more public religion through history. He poked at the extremists on occasion, without being too heavy handed, and avoided the patronizing style that many other commentators applied to more recent figures, such as Ronald Reagan and Jerry Falwell. In fact, one of the more surprising sections was Meacham's praise for Reagan with respect to religion.
The narrator's voice held little appeal to me, for reasons I never could quite define exactly. Perhaps it was the academic tone. Others may find him to be spot on.
5 Stars Unbiased and Informative
American Gospel is the first book that I have read that took the issue of religion and the founding of our nation and discussed them in an unbiased way. John Meacham does a wonderful job of discussing figures and periods in history where religion had both a big influence and little influence on the shaping of America. I finished in two days, couldn't put it down.
4 Stars A readable, enjoyable exploration of Church and State issues
There have been a lot of books written about the religious intentions of the Founding Fathers and the proper role of religion in American life. Jon Mecham (editor of Newsweek Magazine) offers an examination of the issues and the history that argues for the middle road between a church-dominated political arena and a "Godless" public square. The book is both easily accessible and highly enjoyable. While he cites contemporary writings extensively, Meacham does not clutter the text with footnotes; all his citations are documented in the back of the book. In fact, the text itself takes up only about 2/3 of the entire volume; the rest is devoted to an appendix of key historical documents, the documentation for citations, an extensive bibliography, and the index.
2 Stars Vaguely pluralistic, moderately researched, mostly meatless middle-of-the-road pseudo-philosophical claptrap
Meacham is managing editor of Newsweek, and subsequently it is perhaps not surprising that this reads like nothing so much as an extended news-magazine op-ed piece–vaguely pluralistic, moderately researched, mostly meatless middle-of-the-road pseudo-philosophical claptrap.
Extensive additional quoting and analysis in the end notes appears to be either unneeded padding or undigested parts of the argument that should have been thought through and incorporated in the body of the book.
5 Stars Excellent narrative on history of public religion in the USA
American Gospel approaches the issue of religion and the state of the USA. The book focuses on some major figures and episodes in the history of the country. This is not exhaustive or comprehensive. The author chooses some topics that he thinks are indicative of the general relationship of religion and state.
He provides insights into the thinking of Founding Fathers Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, etc. He quotes their own writings and speeches to convey how they saw religion fitting in the new country. The author uses a wide range of resources that include letters and biographies that provide for me what was new information.
He then looks at some other primary figures such as Woodrow Wilson, Theodore Roosevelt and FDR, Lincoln, JFK, Reagan and Nixon to examine how they viewed religion's place in government and in their lives. He shows how in times of distress such as prior to WWII or during the Civil War, these men turned to religion and enouraged the country to pray.
He discusses the roles of prominent ministers in government. He looks at Billy Graham's relationships with presidents and how other ministers became involved in the political realm.
The author offers a balanced and mostly objective view of religion and public life. He targets both liberal and conservative extremists as being wide of the historical relationship of church and state. The picture he paints is one that lends itself to a moderate and reasoned approach that takes into consideration both sides of the argument. You won't find any other agenda here than to present the true historical account.
The research and narrative are excellent and it offers an educational and enjoyable look at this area of our country's history.
Craig Stephans, author of Shakespeare On Spirituality: Life-Changing Wisdom from Shakespeare's Plays
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- God and Race in American Politics – A Short History
- Exporting the American Gospel – Global Christian Fundamentalism
- God and Race in American Politics – A Short History
- Founding Faith Providence Politics and the Birth of Religious Freedom in America
- Render Unto Caesar – Serving the Nation by Living our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life
- The Inspired Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln – How Faith Shaped an American President and Changed the Course of a Nation
- One Nation Under Man – The Worldview War Between Christians And the Secular Left
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