This is truly a fascinating work on the religious history of America. It is just broad strokes as the author admits, you would need a much larger book to cover the whole of this topic. One of the major questions this country has always asked and will always be debated is how much religion of any kind should play in national politics. I truly believe one of the things that makes this country so great and the rich history(albeit with some black eyes) is that we believe all are made in God's image and allow for freedoms never seen in the history of the world, this includes with religion. As a fundamentalist Christian I believe that our faith functions and thrives the best with the most freedom like is seen in America's history. I wouldn't agree with some of the evaluation of times and people with Mr. Meacham, but I believe he did an excellent job with his handling of the material and doing a plethora of research that made this work so readable and helpful. This I believe is just a beginning of a discussion that will go on for many centuries Lord willing.

Don't get me wrong, this book covers all the basic points of American religious history. Meacham does a decent job of telling the important - not just the popular - stories of the American religious experience; however, it is written like a Newsweek feature piece. It uses broad sweeps and makes broad generalizations, supported by the evidence that suits the author. Meacham's thesis is stereotypically Episcopalian: when confronted with a choice, Americans chose the middle. While it is true that a more radical position on either side of the one chosen can be found, this thesis does not stand in the face of history. Whether it be the Blaine amendments of the late nineteenth century, the religious zeal of the Great Awakenings, or the First Amendment itself, the U.S. has not always simply taken the Middle Way, and Meacham's preconceptions blind him to the courageous and sometimes dangerous stances the American populace has taken at points in history.

A very good overview of religion in American history. On the whole, pretty objective.

Meacham develops the idea of a "public" vs "private" religion in American history, specifically politics. The public religion is general, starting w/the Declaration of Independence, that "Nature's God," not man, endowed us all w/certain rights.

He spends quite a bit of time on some of the Founding Fathers (why is that always capitalized anyway?), and some of the lengths they would go to make sure they did not favor any one sect over another (back then, it was mostly Protestant and Catholic, so the major diversity was sects, which was still pretty vicious), but would speak of God, Providence, Creator in general. I think he does a good job defending this idea, and of the importance of not having one sect, or religion, have influence over others, true religious freedom.

He then goes through other eras, Civil War, WWI and WWII, civil rights, into recent history, briefly touching on 9/11, and people like Falwell, Robertson, and Madalyn O'Hair.

The last chapter is a good wrap up - one can't deny this country was founded on religious principles (and I would add, not just any religioius principles, but Biblical), and the Founders and many important leaders since have recognized w/o that religious foundation, tyranny would ensue. Meacham quotes the "Godless Constitution":

"In remembering that Jefferson did in fact found human rights on a Creator's intentions, we should pick fights carefully and not ever imagine that references to God will or should disappear from public rhetoric."

But this religion foundation is generic, watered down, you could even say "empty". And Meacham argues that's the genius of this public religion. History shows if it wasn't watered down, but tied specifically to a sect, then others would suffer. And its more important what you're private religion is, not America's religion.

Meacham argues that looking back to the Founders' and their ideas and struggles w/public vs private religion is still valuable, helping many today deal w/similar issues, if the details are different. When you know how people have dealt w/things in the past, it tends to help you avoid "the passion of the moment."

Although by no means an exhaustive review of the subject, Meacham's book does a great job of explaining the difference between what he calls the public God and the private God. The public God is the god of nature referred to by Jefferson, Lincoln, TR, FDR, and most of the leaders in our history. It refers to kind of a generic god that is not specific. It can be Christian or non-Christian, or even atheist. He also discusses the Evangelicals of the last 40 years or so who have attempted to push the lie that the Founders were Christians who created a Christian nation.
This book is a balanced, well researched (like all of Meacham's work) book. If I have a criticism it is his discussion of Reagan. Always worshipping at the alter of Reagan, he (not for the first time) trips over himself expounding on the greatness of Reagan. For example, he talks about Reagan preaching tolerance and against racism but ignores the fact that Reagan announced his 1980 candidacy in Philadelphia, Mississippi the site of the 1964 murders of civil rights workers and his use of the racially charged term "welfare queens". I could go on. I guess for Meacham Reagan's words rather than his actions defined him.

Meacham’s “American Gospel is a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of the intersection of religion and politics in America’s early history. Meacham, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, delves into the beliefs and values of the Founding Fathers and their influence on the formation of the United States as a nation. An interesting aspect of Meacham’s book is his nuanced analysis of how the Founding Fathers navigated the complex relationship between religion and government. Meacham argues that the Founding Fathers were deeply influenced by their religious beliefs, but also recognized the importance of separating church and state to ensure religious freedom for all citizens. He paints a vivid picture of the struggles and debates that shaped the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, highlighting the delicate balance between religious liberty and political power. Meacham’s writing is engaging and accessible, making “American Gospel” a compelling read for both scholars and general readers. He brings to life the personalities and ideologies of figures such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin, showing how their diverse religious backgrounds shaped their vision for a new nation. Meacham’s thorough research and meticulous attention to detail lend credibility to his arguments, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the historical context in which the United States was founded. Overall, “American Gospel” is a must-read for anyone interested in American history, religion, or politics. Meacham’s thoughtful analysis and compelling storytelling make this book a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about the role of religion in American life. Whether you are a scholar seeking new insights or a casual reader looking for a captivating narrative, “American Gospel” is sure to enlighten and inspire.

"Every party cries out for Liberty & toleration till they get to be uppermost, and then will allow none." ~ Lord Bishop of Salisbury

There has always been differences of opinion when it comes to religion, but America was different from other nations because its founding included the idea that freedom of religion was a basic right – to worship where and how one chooses... or not. Nonetheless, we sometimes hear appeals to restore our country to the Christian principles and ideals it was founded upon – ignoring the fact that freedom is the most important of Christian principles. Jon Meacham points out that while many of the earliest settlers came seeking religious freedom, they often forgot about the "freedom" part once they got here, and mandated religious adherence and punishments for those who didn't conform. But when the colonies came together to form a new government, the "Founding Fathers" seized upon the radical idea that Americans should be free to worship – or not – according to conscience. No one should be compelled to attend or support (especially with their taxes) any church, and government should stay out of such affairs.

But don't get the idea that Meacham is anti-religion. He argues strongly that religion has an important place in American society and history. The Declaration of Independence along with many of the writings of the founders (and most leaders since) make frequent mentions of God or the Creator or Providence. The Constitution is deliberately free of such statements, but the Bill of Rights clearly defines the religious freedom we should all expect. It's what Benjamin Franklin and Meacham call "public religion" that makes America different from the European powers, giving religion an important voice in the public forum yet not sanctioning one viewpoint (religious or not) over another.

It's a viewpoint I appreciate – expecially in a time when we see a rising and sometimes violent intolerence against religion. Meacham says: "Secularists point to a 'wall of separation between church and state,' while many conservatives act as though the Founding Fathers were apostles in knee britches... [but] neither extreme has it right." It's a middle ground that argues for tolerence from both sides, as well as a short and easy read.

I generally have a difficult time with the subject of religion but I took a chance on this book based on my experience with the author's previous work, Franklin and Winston. Moving slowly at first I worked through the first third of the book, roughly Jamestown/Plymouth thru the Civil War. By that time I found I was more in tune with the author's objective of presenting views rather than advocating certain views. Approaching the last few pages of the concluding chapter I was really pleased to find the very valuable Appendix which contains a selection of key letters, addresses and documents prepared by selected Presidents and others. This alone makes the book a keeper rather than something to just pass along to a friend. So I say this was a very good read.

#1 Best Book I Read in 2019

"The safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and the blessing of Almighty God, and the national acknowledgement of this truth is ... an indispensable duty which the people owe Him." - John Adams

"The government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion." - also John Adams

How could one president, in the course of one year, have both of those opinions? That's the question at the heart of this book. Adams honestly believed both statements were true, as did almost all of the other founders. They believed that "Nature's God" created everything, set everything into motion, and worked in the lives of the everyday person. They revered that God, and wanted Americans to be free to worship him as they saw fit.

But almost none of the founders considered themselves "Christian." Thomas Jefferson (literally) cut the parts about Jesus out of his Bible. He wrote, "While I claim a right to believe in one God, I yield as freely to others that of believing in three. Both religions, I find, make honest men, and that is the only point." In other words - Americans should believe in God because people who believe in a god make the best citizens.

As a Christian, I don't think good citizenship is the point of faith. But I think it's important for Christians to understand what our American history actually is, and that's why this book is so good.

It's not a perfect book - I think Meacham pushes the "Public Religion" a little too hard as the answer to society's ills. I wish he would have just presented the history. But that's a small quibble. This is a very well-written history that breaks through the "Christian nation/secular nation" rhetoric. Once you break through, you find the actual history of faith in America is incredibly compelling, and that the actual Christians in our history were on the right side of America's most contentious issues.

Author Jon Meacham attempts to “put the storms of the present in perspective—that we, in our time, could draw lessons from recalling how the Founding Fathers and more than two centuries of American presidents understood the delicate, sometimes corrosive, sometimes corrective connection between faith and politics.”

Meacham explores how beliefs in God shaped framing of our Constitution. “The American gospel is that religion shapes the life of the nation without strangling it.”

What I take away from this reading is how classical training and education provided our early leaders with the ability to look past various interpretations of text on a page and get to the real meaning and importance of the ideas behind the text. Thomas Jefferson strove to build a wall that would divide church from state, not religion from politics. The distinction may be difficult for the sound-byte age to understand: “Church signifies institutions for believers to congregate and worship in the private sphere. State refers to the collective milieu of civic and political and legal arrangements in which we live while in the public sphere. The church is private relgion and that private practice of religion is protected by the state. Public religion, on the other hand, is that part of the republic that honors and respects private religious liberty.

The founders were each highly spiritual men with in-depth understanding of biblical texts, as well as ancient Greek and Roman philosophy. The breadth of the historical perspectives is what breathed life and grace into our constitution. They envisioned a culture shaped and sustained by public religion untethered by specific belief systems but based upon a “reverence for the ‘Creator’ and for ‘Nature’s God.’”

There is much in this book to think about. It took me all summer to get through the mere 250 pages. (Followed by nearly that many pages of reference material) This is not to say that it is boring or difficult to read text. It is, however, very thought provoking.

American Gospel frames the role of religion in U.S. government through colonial to modern America as a fragile but enduring embrace of a “public religion” against tides of theocracy. Mecham’s narrative style blends a command of source material with poignant profiles. His willingness to confront America’s errors and sins lends his essay and historical discussion tremendous credibility. His tone is earnest, pluralist and patriotic. The result is an authoritative discussion about the ecumenical role of religion in American government.

In Mecham’s essay, he expands on the common refrain that America was founded on freedom of religion (which is fundamental to free thought) not freedom from religion. It’s obvious that Mecham believes the Madison-Jefferson view that religion must be separate from government is fundamental in a strict constitutional sense and is also a pragmatic form of responsible democratic government.

I read this before a presentation on the First Amendment and think it is one of the most readable and reliable works on the constitutional and historical role of religion. Nothing about Mecham’s summation of colonial schisms and the Framer’s intent is new but it is well written. What Mecham does with American Gospel that is special is he does more than define the establishment clause—American Gospel illustrates how the original meaning of the constitution has been consistently preserved during centuries of crisis. This is history at its best, where it doesn’t just assume that centuries of thinking and debate is relevant, he shows why it is essential to preserving American democracy from any form of religious nationalism.

Mecham also makes the compelling point that the basis of American government and its revolutionary ethos that proclaimed we are all endowed with sacred rights provides a moral mandate to support human rights anywhere. Yet, we’ve consistently failed from the beginning from slavery to xenophobia (and often cloaking these acts in religious authority).

Throughout the essay, Mecham highlights essential counters of the national identity like our founding myth that America is blessed with Providence, the Barbary Treaty under Jefferson (which proclaimed US government as secular) and the drafts and attempted revision to the First Amendment.

Mecham often focuses on presidential moments where the tides of theocracy were repulsed and leaders reminded the nation of our founding mythology to summon faith. Several presidents get special attention like Lincoln whose unorthodox Christianity became almost revelatory during the Civil War as he did things like issue the Emancipation Proclamation to summon divine favor. Other presidents make cameos to do the right thing from Jackson refusing to join a church or Teddy Roosevelt defending Taft for being a Unitarian.

Through these profiles (and shorter profiles of religious movements—I especially enjoyed the passage about Baptists believing in a firm wall between church and state historically) the inflection points in American religious movements are charted as well as how America survived these epochs.

With careful attention to the nations flaws, Mecham rebuts theocratic movements (and the people who cite them today) and acknowledges the ways religion has been used for terror and indifference.Ultimately Mecham makes a compelling case that the Framer’s intent to create a pluralistic society by allowing an ecumenical embrace of religion in government is originalist, textualist, and realistically the best form of government.

This is worth reading for anyone who enjoys history, government, or litigates/teaches constitutional issues. Our conservative justices should definitely read it and at least attempt to rebut Mecham’s analysis before they issue anymore opinions on religious issues.

My bias is that, like Mecham, I believe the Framer’s goal to fix essential rights in the eternal through the Constitution deserves some deference and religion is one of the few areas where they succeeded. I also think if more litigation framed issues like the First Amendment as sensitively and authoritatively as Mecham has in American Gospel, that originalism can serve progressive policy goals. The Framers, like most revered historical figures, have typically (although selectively) advanced liberal ideas.

"The God who is spoken of and called on and prayed to in the public sphere is an essential character in the American drama."

I read American Gospel: God, the Founding Fathers, and the Making of a Nation by Jon Meacham. Book #39 of 182, 443 pages, finished 3/20/2017.

American Gospel takes a high-level view of the last 400 years - from the first settlers from Europe all the way through September 11th - driving into a thorough explanation and consideration of the American Gospel - the good news about America. Meacham draws heavily on an incredible variety of speeches, prayers, letters, and laws from the Founders and those closest to them to pain a picture. That picture is that God, but not a specific religion's God, is a core part of the American story, but not in the way many specific religious groups things.

What a great topic to write on, and so timely! Plenty of books take you through a specific slice of history - a war, a year, an era, or a president's life - but few do so by a specific topic. The topic of religion is a hot-button issue, the current President certainly included.

Meacham's position is that America is neither a Christian nation nor a secular state. One can even conclude that Meacham is likely a moderate both politically and religiously, as his attempts to drag the extremists on both poles toward the middle is constant through the book.

I enjoyed it greatly. I find myself as a moderate in many aspects of life, and the attention paid to how the broad political center of the U.S. combined with the Republic system of government, really gives much credence to the middle.

Special attention is paid to the presidents who wrote the most on religion or via religion - Jefferson, Madison, Lincoln, both Roosevelts, Kennedy, and Reagan. I was amazed at some of what Kennedy wrote in defense of his own religion views (Catholic in a predominately Protestant land).

Finally - as many of you know, I've recently shifted from a Christian to non-religious perspective, and reading how our country has balanced religious and secular views was a special treat for me. Admittedly, I've been worried by many statements from leaders, my friends, and the media about pushing Christianity to the forefront of American government... but this book makes it clear that those statements are nothing new. This is just how America discusses religion. All of it's been said, all of it will be said again.

I'm moving on to Love Does: Discovery a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World by Bob Goff. Picked up on a Kindle Deal, and I know it's been influential in the lives of many of my friends.

An interesting book that serves as a swift overview of America’s “public religion.” Meacham was able to connect some things in my mind and answer some questions I’d had about this topic for some time. A readable, helpful book book on an important topic.