Building on our discussion last week, Prof. Mark David Hall — Herbert Hoover Distinguished Professor of Political Science at George Fox University (Newberg, OR) — brings his perspective on the role of religion in America’s Founding to our podcast.  Using Roger Sherman as an anchor point, Prof. Hall demonstrates how Calvinist theology and political thought was quite common in the latter half of the 18th century.  We detail the life of Roger Sherman, revealing that he was one of the most important, yet most overlooked, of the Founding Fathers, having participated in the conventions that resulted in the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution.  Mark makes the case that Calvinist (or Reformed) social thought led to many of the same conclusions about political liberty and separation of church and state that secular Enlightenment thinkers did.  Moreover, he argues that the majority of individuals involved in influencing the Founding documents were of a Reformed mindset, as compared to the more Deistic (or Unitarian) theology ascribed to Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.  We discuss Prof. Hall’s position on whether or not the US was founded as a Christian nation.  Recorded: June 1, 2011.

Please note:  This episode was recorded one day earlier than the interview recorded with Prof. John Fea.  I consider these two podcasts to be part of a vigorous debate about the influence of religion in the founding of America.  Prof. Hall’s podcast is airing one week later due to a commitment I made to have his podcast air on July 4 before securing the interview date with Prof. Fea.  Dr. Hall’s trip to China required me to move up the interview date.

RELATED LINKS

Prof. Mark David Hall’s website at George Fox University.

“Jeffersonian Walls and Madisonian Lines” article mentioned in the podcast written by Mark David Hall.

The Founders on God and Government edited by Daniel L Dreisbach, Mark David Hall, and Jeffry H. Morrison.

America’s Forgotten Founders edited by Gary L. Gregg and Mark David Hall.

The Forgotten Founders on Religion and Public Life edited by Daniel L Dreisbach, Mark David Hall, and Jeffry H. Morrison.

The Sacred Rights of Conscience: Selected Readings on Religious Liberty and Church-State Relations in the American Founding by Daniel L. Driesbach and Mark David Hall.

RELATED PODCASTS

Mark David Hall on Religion & the Founding Fathers.

John Fea on Religion & the American  Founding.

Thomas Kidd on the Pilgrims.

Thomas Kidd on the Great Awakening.

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5 Responses to “Mark David Hall on Roger Sherman, Puritan Patriot”

1. Great Podcast Series Examining Research on Religion | ISA RC22 News and Events says:

   July 29, 2011 at 7:38 am

   […] opinions on whether the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation from John Fea (Messiah College) and Mark David Hall (George Fox […]

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