The classical and Christian origins of American politics : political theology, natural law, and the American founding / Kody W. Cooper, Justin Buckley Dyer.

Cambridge, United Kingdom ; New York, NY : Cambridge University Press, 2022.

©2022

1 online resource

There has been a considerable amount of literature in the last 70 years claiming that the American founders were steeped in modern thought. This study runs counter to that tradition, arguing that the founders of America were deeply indebted to the classical Christian natural-law tradition for their fundamental theological, moral, and political outlook. Evidence for this thesis is found in case studies of such leading American founders as Thomas Jefferson and James Wilson, the pamphlet debates, the founders' invocation of providence during the revolution, and their understanding of popular sovereignty. The authors go on to reflect on how the founders' political thought contained within it the resources that undermined, in principle, the institution of slavery, and explores the relevance of the founders' political theology for contemporary politics. This timely, important book makes a significant contribution to the scholarly debate over whether the American founding is compatible with traditional Christianity.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on online resource; title from digital title page (viewed on June 27, 2023).

Cambridge Core

English

9781009106030 electronic book
1009106031 electronic book
9781009117166 electronic book
1009117165 electronic book
9781009107846 paperback
1009107844 paperback
9781009098113 hardcover
100909811X hardcover

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