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In this fully revised and enhanced edition of his Religion in the New World (Fortress Press, 1990), Wentz extends and deepens his successful account of the shaping of America’s diverse religious traditions. Using religious studies categories, such as myth, legend, symbol, and ritual, Wentz sketches the development and flowering of all the traditions—Native American, Reformed, Puritan, Roman Catholic, Restorationist—that proved decisive for American religion.
The book extensively treats indigenous American figures and movements, including women, Native Americans, and Mormons, as well as Asian, African, and Islamic traditions. It also includes more material on Transcendentalism and Unitarian Universalism, public religion, and contemporary American Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims.
Carl E. Linder, in a brief review for Lutheran Partners Online, says American Religious Traditions "...does a commendable job of providing an insightful account of the shaping of America's religious traditions." He also says that "...this very readable book makes an excellent resource for a study on understanding the religious traditions that shape our culture."
454 pages, 2003
Table of Contents
Preface
Part 1: The Age of Transmission and Reformation
1. The Study of Religion
Toward a Definition of Religion
Expressions of Religious Expression
Tradition
2. Myths, Legends, and the Promised Land Story
Myth and Legend
European Attitudes toward America
A Promised Land
The Religious Meaning of America
3. Christendom and the Heritage of Reformation
Christendom
The Development of the Reformation
Aspects of the Reformation
The Reformation in England
4. The Native American Traditions
Nonliteracy
Common Characteristics
Evolution of Traditions
5. From Anglican to Episcopalians
Verbal Expression
Practical Expression
Social Expression
History in the United States
6. The Puritan Tradition: Congregations, Baptists, and Quakers
Origins of Puritanism
The Stages of Puritan Development
Diversity of Puritanism
Congregationalists
Baptists
Quakers
Postscript
7. The Reformed Tradition: The Scotch-Irish and English, the Dutch, and the Germans
Verbal Expression
Practical Expression
Social Expression
History in the United States
8. The Lutheran Tradition
Verbal Expression
Practical Expression
Social Expression
History in the United States
The Roman Catholic Tradition
The Verbal Expression: Papal Authority
Other Features of Verbal Expression
Practical Expression
Social Expression
History in the United States
9. The Methodist Tradition
Verbal Expression
Practical Expression
Social Expression
Methodist Diversity
History in the United States
Part 2: Restructuring, New Beginnings, and Preservations
10. The Revivalist Evangelical Tradition
Basics of Revivalistic Evangelicalism
The Great Awakening
A New American Spirit
Focuses of Later Revivalism
History of Modern Revivalism
11. The Public Religious Tradition
Verbal Expression
Practical Expression
Social Expression
A Typically American Problem
12. The Restorationist Traditions: Christians to Latter-Day Saints
The Restorationist Position
Democratic Christianism
Biblicist and Rationalist Christianism
Radical Dispensationalism: Mormonism
The Jewish Tradition in America
Origins of the Jewish Way
Torah
Practical Expression
Social Expression
Orthodox, Reform, and Conservative Jews
13. The Eastern Orthodox Tradition
Definition of Eastern Orthodoxy
Verbal Expression
Practical Expression
Social Expression
History in the United States
14. The African American Traditions
Indigenous Heritage
Practical Expression
Institutional History in the United States
Phenomenon of the Preacher
15. New Traditions for the Common People: Millenarian, Holiness, and Pentecostal Traditions
Origins
Millenarianism
The Holiness Movement
Pentecostalism
16. Religion and the Crisis of Authority
Postbellum Modernity
The New Liberalism
The Social Gospel
New Thought
Positive Thinking
17. The Fundamentalist and Neo-Evangelical Traditions
What Is Fundamentalism?
Verbal Expression
Development of Neo-Evangelicalism
The Neo-Evangelicalism of Billy Graham
18. The Age of Radical Pluralism
A New Pluralism
The Ways of the Hindus
Buddhism in America
New Thought and the New Age
Islam in America Today
The Reshaping of American Religion
Notes
For Further Reading
Index
Praise for the Print Edition
"For Americans in search of their religious identity, Wentz’s work invites them to explore anew America’s vast religious landscape."
— Walter H. Capps, University of California
''Wentz commands his subject, and he is a sympathetic and judicious observer....All in all, [the book] is a splendid achievement and a pleasure to read. It deserves the attention of undergraduates and general readers.''
— Church History
''Written in a lively, readable style...it is apparent that the book was forged in the classroom of an accomplished teacher of undergraduates....It persists in introducing the meaning of religion through exploration of diverse religious traditions. The book merits wide reception and use.''
— Anglican Theological Review
''Any thoughtful reader will learn a great deal about most of the religious traditions that have thrived within the American experience....The book is well written, carefully organized, learned, and it will take its place as an important contribution to the literature of the field.''
— Theological Studies
About the Author
Richard E. Wentz is Professor Emeritus and founder of the Department of Religious Studies at Arizona State University. Among his many books are The Culture of Religious Pluralism (1998), John Williamson Nevin: American Theologian (1997), and Why People Do Bad Things in the Name of Religion (1993).
Augsburg Fortress Collection (18 Titles)
This volume is also part of the Augsburg Fortress Collection (18 Titles). Other titles included are