Richard V Pierard

""A welcome addition to the ongoing reflection on the meaning of religion in America. The authors are both responsible as scholars and accessible as writers. Teachers, students, clergy, and laity will find this book worthwhile. It deserves a wide reading."" -- Ronald A. Wells, Professor of History, Calvin College; editor, Fides et Historia ""This is a most welcome update of the first textbook survey of American church history. The American Church Experience retains all the virtues of the original--brevity, clarity, and evenhandedness--while incorporating recent historical developments and contemporary historical scholarship."" --Michael S. Hamilton, Associate Professor of History, Seattle Pacific University ""Specialists and general readers alike should welcome this valuable new resource in American religious history. I certainly plan to recommend it to my students."" --Garth M. Rosell, Professor of Church History and Director of the Ockenga Institute at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary ""Captures the ebb and flow of religious history in a scholarly and precise way while retaining a highly readable quality. Students will be challenged and laypeople will be informed about America's fascinating religious heritage. This book is a must for the pastor's study and for the church library."" --Ruth A. Tucker, author of From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya: A Biographical History of Christian Missions ""Tom Askew and Dick Pierard provide a lively and succinct account of the origins, expansion, and struggles of the faith in America. Their analyses are enhanced by commendable balance and a healthy global perspective. This volume will prove to be an excellent resource for church study groups as well as for undergraduate and seminary classes."" --James A. Patterson, Professor of Christian Studies, Union University Thomas A. Askew is Stephen Phillips Professor of History Emeritus and the former 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 is Professor of History Emeritus at Indiana State University and a former scholar-in-residence at Gordon College. He is a member of the Baptist History and Identity Commission of the Baptist World Alliance and the author of numerous books and articles relating to the history of Christianity.

In this hard-hitting book, Richard V. Pierard examines the growing affinity between evangelical Christianity and political and economic conservatism that was occurring in the 1960s, and eloquently appeals for a dissolution of these unwarranted ties. The Christian faith stresses love for one's neighbor, selflessness, humility, and peacemaking, virtues which are at variance with the practices of the right. Pierard's critique of the linkage of Christianity with American nationalism, militarism, and capitalism is as relevant today as it was 35 years ago. By bringing this unfortunate situation into the open, he hopes to encourage evangelical leaders to break this unequal yoke and unleash the spiritual forces of American evangelicalism for meaningful participation in the growth of world Christianity.