About the Author

Derek Hamilton-Davis is Director of the J.M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Relations at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, which offers M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Church-State Studies. He is also the Editor of Journal of Church and State.

Reviews

"Davis has produced a study, both modest and ambitious, which makes a worthy contribution to what constitutional scholar Jack Rakove has termed 'the saga of the American search for a usable past. This is a thoughtful contribution to the literature of original intent."-- Religious Studies Review
"Derek H. Davis's book offers a fresh, informative account of official "American" actions and attitudes toward religion before the implementation of the United States Constitution."--American Historical Review
"A thought-provoking reminder of a time when official churches were a part of state (but not national) religious life and when ideas on religious liberty and federalism gave birth to the First Amendment....A welcome, accessible addition to the literature on a perpetual issue."--Fort Worth Star-Telegram
"An important, well-written book."--Choice
"Explores new ground on an issue that will continue to be debated."--Knight Ridder News
"An excellent historical and legal study... informative and well-argued....The author does a magnificent job handling the inner tensions in liberal thought on the relationship between politics and religion. This achievement alone makes this book an important contribution....The author is to be congratulated for a significant contribution to our understanding of the original intent of the founders in particular and of their liberal order in general."--Law
and Politics Book Review