Chapter 1 "A Future State of Rewards and Punishments:" The Founders' Formula for the Social and Political Utility of Religion Chapter 2 "Nursing Fathers:" The Model of Church-State Relations in American from James I to Jefferson Chapter 3 Rights as Moral Powers: The Founders and the French Connection Chapter 4 The Christian Nation Question Chapter 5 William Penn and the American Tradition of Religious Liberty Chapter 6 James Madison and Religion: Radicalism Unbound
James Hutson is the Chief of the Manuscript Division at the Library of Congress. He received his Ph.D from Yale University and has published many well-known works on the Founding Era.
These penetrating, richly documented, and well-argued essays not
only challenge conventional interpretations about church and state
in early American history but also bring to light provocative
themes and topics long overlooked—and refreshingly relevant to
today's debates about the relationship of religion and
politics.
*Matthew Spalding, director, B. Kenneth Simon Center for American
Studies, The Heritage Foundation*
The essays on William Penn, James Madison, and the Founders'
reading of French authors are particularly noteworthy, and Hutson's
take on the use and misuse of the idea of America as a Christian
nation deserves wide circulation. An important collection on an
important topic.
*The Standard Reader*
Forgotten Features of the Founding confirms that the author is
among the most astute students of religion in early American
political and legal culture. Few scholars writing today are more
familiar with, or make better use of, the primary documents of the
founding era than James Hutson. Drawing on his vast knowledge of
both primary sources and the most current scholarship, he offers
new insights into old controversies and challenges readers to
reconsider long held assumptions. . . . These original,
provocative, and learned essays are a valuable addition to the
literature on the diverse influences that shaped the American
founding. This perceptive work is highly recommended for specialist
and nonspecialist readers alike.
*Journal of Church and State*
This collection of trenchant essays confirms that James H. Hutson
is the most astute scholar of religion's often neglected
contributions to the American founding. Drawing on his vast
knowledge of primary sources and current scholarship, Hutson offers
new insights into old controversies and challenges readers to
reconsider long held assumptions. This original, provocative, and
wise book is required reading for everyone interested in the
religious themes of the founding era.
*Daniel Dreisbach, Department of Justice, Law and Society, American
University*
"This collection of trenchant essays confirms that James H. Hutson
is the most astute scholar of religion's often neglected
contributions to the American founding. Drawing on his vast
knowledge of primary sources and current scholarship, Hutson
offers new insights into old controversies and challenges readers
to reconsider long held assumptions. This original,
provocative, and wise book is required reading for everyone
interested in the religious themes of the founding era."
*Daniel Dreisbach, Department of Justice, Law and Society, American
University*
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