As the title suggests, it is focused not on american civil religion as a general phenomenon, but rather on the longstanding belief within american civil religion that the united states holds a place of favor in the divines plan for the world. John d wilsey ever since john winthrop told his fellow colonists in 1630 that they were about to establish a city upon a hill, the idea of having a special place in history has captured the american. Reassessing the history of an idea book download link on this page and you will be directed to the free registration form. In this remarkable book, john wilsey traces the historical development of exceptionalism.
John wilsey traces the historical development of exceptionalism, including its theological meaning and implications for civil religion. The author commends this open exceptionalism as the way forward for how christians should participate in american civil religion, and relies fairly heavily on a particular reading of justin martyr and his apology in order to commend it religiously. American exceptionalism is a genuinely excellent book. American exceptionalism and civil religion, john d. This weekend i read john wilseys american exceptionalism and civil religion. In this remarkable book, john wilsey traces the historical development of exceptionalism, including its theological meaning and implications for. As the title suggests, it is focused not on american civil. In this story, god in his providence founded the united states to lead the world into civil and religious liberty. American exceptionalism asserts a unique history and destiny for this nation. This book takes a step back from the partisan rhetorical bluster and examines afresh the historical and analytical meanings of american exceptionalism, and the extent to which religionboth real religion and the more ambiguous civil religionhas shaped these meanings and their usesabuses. The false gospel of american exceptionalism the gospel coalition. Scholars have portrayed it as a cohesive force, a common set of values that foster social and cultural integration. In this remarkable book, john wilsey traces the historical development of exceptionalism, including its theological meaning and implications for civil religion. American exceptionalism and civil religion the idea of americas special place in history has been a guiding light for centuries.
Ever since john winthrop told his fellow colonists in 1630 that they were about to establish a city upon a hill, the idea of having a special place in history has captured the american imagination. But others have criticized the notion because it implies a sense of superiority which can fuel racism, warmongering and even idolatry. Read american exceptionalism and civil religion reassessing the history of an idea by john d. For instance, american exceptionalism and civil religion immediately reminded me of a book on the long 1960s that i use in classes, simon halls american patriotism, american protest 2010. American exceptionalism and america first religion.
Wilseys american exceptionalism and civil religion is a focused book in many ways. After an introduction that defines terms and explains the contrast between closed and open exceptionalism, the book follows a chronological, historical approach. Does american exceptionalism mean worshiping the state. John wilseys american exceptionalism and civil religion is written for the educated evangelical layman and proves to be earnest attempt to reevaluate the idea of american exceptionalism from a christian perspective. As i continue to make my way through edward baptists book, the half has never been told. Ebook free american exceptionalism and civil religion. American exceptionalism and american religion by joseph. He argues that exceptionalism, and the civil religion it helps sustain, can indeed be made safe, if freed from its worst abuses and confined within ethical and theological limits. Wilsey, a professor at the southwestern baptist theological seminary, argues that a high view of american exceptionalism is, at significant points, at odds with the christian gospel. American civil religion is a sociological theory that a nonsectarian quasi religious faith exists within the united states with sacred symbols drawn from national history. This book takes a step back from the partisan rhetorical bluster and examines afresh the historical and analytical meanings of american exceptionalism, and the extent to which religion both real religion and the more ambiguous civil religion has shaped these meanings and their usesabuses. In american exceptionalism and civil religion, historianand southern baptist pastorjohn d. American exceptionalism and civil religion reading religion.
Wilsey ivp academic according to a 2010 gallup poll, cited in the books introduction, 80 percent of americans believe america possess a unique character that makes it the greatest country in the world. Most discussions of american exceptionalism that ive seen either embrace this idea more or less uncritically, arguing that america is. By civil religion, wilsey intends a set of practices, symbols and beliefs distinct from traditional religion, yet providing a universal values paradigm around which the citizenry can unite p. American exceptionalism and civil religion by john d. Even educated religious believers seem now to lack the words with which to express a principled defense of american freedom, american religion, and american exceptionalism. John wilseys careful history and analysis will therefore prove an important touchstone for discussions of american identity in the decades to come. American exceptionalism and civil religion intervarsity. Religion and american exceptionalism edited by dennis r. Explores the history of american exceptionalism, distinguishing two kinds of exceptionalism and considers them under five theological themes.
Its historically perceptive, theologically responsible, and hits on a topic that matters to ordinary believers. Slavery and the making of american capitalism, i cant help but think about its implications for the way we think about the idea of american exceptionalism. American exceptionalism and civil religion intervarsity press. American exceptionalism doesnt mean doing great stuff. Reassessing the history of an idea ivp academic, 2015 is a work of historical political theology and examination of the idea of american exceptionalism that many have held as true and compatible with the evangelical faith. In this remarkable book, john wilsey traces the historical. It means having an entirely different system of government, one that trusts individuals to run their own affairs. Quotes about the american dream and what makes america unique youre free to republish or share any of our articles either in part or in full, which are licensed under a creative commons attribution 4. Reassessing the history of an idea, is in many ways a tract for the times. Wilsey, assistant professor of history and christian apologetics at southwestern baptist theological seminary.
Wilsey traces the concept of exceptionalism, including its theological meaning and implications for civil religion. His book american exceptionalism and civil religion. Exceptionalism and civil religion the origins of american exceptionalism expansion, slavery, and two american exceptionalisms the chosen nation the commissioned nation the innocent nation the nation and her land the glorious nation open exceptionalism and civic engagement. Since america has no state church, a civil religion arises to fill the role that an established religion might have played in society p. Patriotism black and white investigates the relationship between patriotism and civil religion in a politically populist community comprised of black and white evangelicals in rural tennessee.
John wilseys american exceptionalism and civil religion explores a very. That is because exceptionalism, a concept that is not sui generis, not very old, and not even american in conception, has come to serve as code for the american civil religion that dare not speak its name. Its a timely issue given the recent debates about the revised ap. Ever since john winthrop told his fellow colonists in 1630 that they were about to establish a city upon a hill, the ide. Its historically perceptive, theologically responsible, and hits on a topic that. American exceptionalism and civil religion ebook by john d. American exceptionalism, civil religion, and south. American exceptionalism and civil religion goodreads. This gets tied up in notions of exodus stories, of moral founders, and. The paperback of the american exceptionalism and civil religion.
From seventeenthcentury puritans to twentiethcentury industrialists, from politicians to educators, exceptionalism does not appear as a monolithic concept to be either totally. Few american evangelicals, after all, believe that the united states is exceptionally bad. From this position, american exceptionalism has exerted an incredible amount of influence on a wide range of activities in american. Most discussions of american exceptionalism that ive seen either embrace this idea more or less uncritically, arguing that america is gods city on a.
Exceptionalism will have to become what lincoln called a civil religion, to be breathed by every american mother, to the lisping babe, that prattles on her lap. American exceptionalism as a book and a topic is not just for the. I strongly encourage pastors and teachers of every kind to read it for the sake of the cancer he does treat. Wilseys latest book, american exceptionalism and civil religion. The ideas also gravitated to politics, creating the liminal realm of. The book is organized around various historical periods, from the origins of exceptionalism in the earliest colonial periods to modern times. Wilseys american exceptionalism and civil religion is an excellent book, but our national problems may be more profoundmore exceptionalthan he realizes. American exceptionalism and civil religion considers historically and theologically what makes the difference. The nation has lost the collective vocabulary for explaining, in nonsectarian terms, why some restrictions and not others are compatible with a healthy individual liberty. Wilseys american exceptionalism and civil religion is an excellent book, but our national problems may be more profoundmore. Neither the term nor the idea of american exceptionalism is going away. It is usually based on a story with divine overtones, a narrative which arcs toward freedom and justice.
In an earlier book, he evaluated the view that the united states of america is a christian nation one nation under god. American civil religion celebrates the nations founding documents, holidays, presidents, martyrs and, above all, those who died in its wars. The exceptionalism of american slavery civil war memory. Wilsey first sets out to define american exceptionalism as an aspect of civil religion. Wilseys american exceptionalism and civil religion sheds light on the ways that americans through history have conceived of the united states as a blessed nation. John wilseys american exceptionalism and civil religion explores a very important set of questions for christians living in america, including, does america occupy a special place in human history. Religion and american exceptionalism in searchworks catalog. Wilsey examines this world of divine election and american exceptionalism. Wilsey explores these issues with the eye of a historian, the heart of a pastor, and the hand of a writer who. Patriotism black and white baylor university press.
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