The Genevan Reformation and the American Founding

Download or read book The Genevan Reformation and the American Founding written by David W. Hall and published by Lexington Books. This book was released on 2005 with total page 512 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this provocative study, David W. Hall argues that the American founders were more greatly influenced by Calvinism than contemporary scholars, and perhaps even the founders themselves, have understood. Calvinism's insistence on human rulers' tendency to err played a significant role in the founders' prescription of limited government and fed the distinctly American philosophy in which political freedom for citizens is held as the highest value. Hall's timely work countervails many scholars' doubt in the intellectual efficacy of religion by showing that religious teachings have led to such progressive ideals as American democracy and freedom.