The American Church Experience: A Concise History

How did the American church begin, and how did it evolve to meet changing needs? This readable survey traces the story of Christianity in America beginning with the first settlers, who came to the New World seeking religious freedom. The book then proceeds to the founding of the United States, the Revolution, the Civil War, and finally the tumultuous decades of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. Along the way, the authors show that Christians have played a pivotal role in every significant social movement in America, from the abolition of slavery to the push for civil rights. They also discuss current topics such as pluralism, church-state separation, and the role of minorities in American churches.

Thomas A. Askew (Ph.D., Northwestern University) is Stephen Phillips Professor of History emeritus and executive director of the East-West Institute of International Studies at Gordon College. He is the coauthor or editor of five books relating to religious, educational, and political themes. Richard V. Pierard (Ph.D., University of Iowa) is professor of history emeritus at Indiana State University and scholar in residence at Gordon College. He is a board member of the American Baptist Historical Society and the author of numerous books and articles relating to the history of Christianity.