A Secular Faith: Why Christianity Favors the Separation of Church and State

by Darryl G. Hart

Overview

Darryl Hart, the highly regarded historian of religion, contends that appeals to Christianity for social and political well-being fundamentally misconstrue the meaning of the Christian religion. His book weaves together historical narratives of American Protestantism's influence on the nation's politics, and commentary on recent writing about religion and public life, with expositions of Christian teaching. The tapestry that emerges is a compelling faith-based argument for keeping Christianity out of politics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781566635769
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	09/01/2006
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 8.80(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Darryl Hart, a historian of American religion, is director of academic projects and faculty development at the Intercollegiate Studies Institute in Wilmington, Delaware. He studied at Temple, Harvard, and Johns Hopkins universities, and at Westminster Theological Seminary, and has also written Defending the Faith, The University Gets Religion, That Old-Time Religion in Modern America, and The Lost Soul of American Protestantism. He lives in Philadelphia.

Editorial Reviews

A Catholic reader will benefit from Hart's summaries of historical studies.

New Oxford Review - James Likoudis

A valuable contribution to the discussion of church and state.... those with ears to hear, let them hear clearly.

The Weekly Standard - Terry Eastland

Offers the single best critique of the religious right's involvement in politics.

New Republic - Alan Wolfe

Since Hart meets his stated goal of trying 'to complicate contemporary understandings of the relationship between Christianity and liberal democracy in the United States,' perhaps people should do as I had to do: read it twice. Darryl Hart has written a brilliant book.

New Horizons - Rick Quinn

Highly nuanced....Offers a sobriety test for intoxicated cultural warriors by challenging...assumptions about the nature of church and state.

Ordained Servant - JOHN R. MUETHER

He makes a strong case for reemphasizing the otherworldly element in Christianity.

National Review

Darryl Hart’s thoughtful, witty, and challenging book...could hardly be more pertinent today.

Wilfred M. McClay

Hart says...Christians can and should accept a secular liberal state without compromising their prior commitment to Christ.

Journal of Southern History - Barry Hankins

Although demanding to read, Hart's argument is blazingly enlightening.

Booklist - Ray Olson

The best book I can recommend right now on the separation of church and state....

Anne Rice

Presents a unique and valuable contribution to make sense of the inherent tensions between church and state.

Journal of Church and State

Fascinating, instructive, and challenging.

Journal Of Interdisciplinary Studies

The fact that Hart's viewpoint is so unique today measures the shallowness of the public conversation on this crucial issue.

Michael J. Horton Ph.D.

Read, re-read, and ponder this timely and provocative book.

Mark A. Noll

A significant contribution to maintaining the integrity of both church and state.

Ordained Servant - RICHARD M. GAMBLE

This stunningly good book is not about the United States Constitution but about the mission of the City of God.

R. Laurence Moore

A more nuanced take on Church and State than what's found in most other recent volumes on the subject.

Daniel McCarthy

Hart makes a powerful Christian case for the separation of church and state. Even secularists should appreciate Hart.

Leo P. Ribuffo

He makes a strong case for reemphasizing the otherworldly element in Christianity.

National Review

The fact that Hart's viewpoint is so unique today measures the shallowness of the public conversation on this crucial issue.

Michael Horton

Presents a unique and valuable contribution to make sense of the inherent tensions between church and state.

Journal of Church & State

Presents a unique and valuable contribution to make sense of the inherent tensions between church and state.

Journal Of Church and State

Darryl Hart has written a brilliant book.
— Rick Quinn

New Horizons