Forgotten Features of the Founding: The Recovery of Religious Themes in the Early American Republic

About the Book

Forgotten Features of the Founding: The Recovery of Religious Themes in the Early American Republic is a book of six original essays that explore the deep significance of previously neglected religious themes in the Founding Era. Author James Hutson argues convincingly that without understanding these themes, it is impossible to comprehend the religious mentality of the Founding Era. Among the themes elucidated and explored are the doctrine of the future state of rewards and punishments, the civil magistrate's idealized role as the nursing father, and the conception of rights as moral powers grounded in religion. Hutson's thought-provoking and exhaustively researched essays challenge current scholarship on the Founding Era, which often downplays the importance of Christian ideals in the formation of the American government. Forgotten Features of the Founding is a must read for scholars of American history and those interested in the role of religion in American life.

Table of Contents:

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

About the Author :
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.

Review :
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. 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. 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. 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.

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.