Christian Thought in America
A Brief History
- History & Biography
- Publisher: Fortress Press (Augsburg Fortress)
- Published: 2015
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Publisher's Description
Christian Thought in America: A Brief History is a short, accessible overview of the history of Christian thought in America, from the Puritans and other colonials to the beginning of the twenty-first century. Moving chronologically, each chapter addresses a historical segment, focusing on key movements and figures and tracing general trends and developments. The book conveys a sense of the liveliness and creativity of the ongoing theological debates. Each chapter concludes with a short bibliography of recent scholarship for further reading.
Endorsements (3)
“This is the best book I've seen in a long time for exploring the long sweep of Christian thought, rather than doctrine, in American history right into the twenty-first century. Schell and Ott have performed a huge service in making it available as a short history.”
“Schell and Ott have produced a history of Christian thought in America that wonderfully complements and balances the bulk of contemporary scholarship focused on popular or ‘lived religion.’ A special strength of the book is its careful treatment of philosophers (from William James, Alfred North Whitehead, and Charles Hartshorne to contemporaries like Jeffrey Stout and Robert Neville), often ignored in accounts that emphasize the work of systematic theologians. On their engaged and informed telling, the story of American religious thought comes alive here in a way that will make this book truly indispensable for college teachers tasked with designing courses about this topic.”
“Anyone thinking that Christianity in America comprises a singular religious tradition will find abundant evidence to the contrary in these pages. Emphasizing the ‘soulful struggle’ of the American nation, Schell and Ott reveal the complexity of intellectual perspectives addressing prominent theological concerns that have defined much of the religious history of America. Their brief but lively introduction highlights how various Christian groups and influential religious personalities have engaged issues ranging from questions of providence and authority among the earliest colonists to globalization and the challenges of diversity for contemporary Christians. Attention to the vibrancy of Christian theological traditions and the persistent role of dissent offers a valuable perspective on the dynamic nature of American intellectual history.”
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