Keen On America Why Smart People Still Believe in God
Jan 3, 2026
Daniel K. Williams, a historian and scholar of American Christianity, dives into the intriguing interplay between faith and reason. He argues that enlightenment ideals and Christian beliefs have coexisted in U.S. history, with figures like Jefferson and early Puritans blending rational thought and faith. Williams discusses how Darwin's theories challenged but did not extinguish belief in God, emphasizing religion's crucial role in moral frameworks. He also reflects on the dynamics between modern evangelicals and mainline Protestants, envisioning a future where rational faith thrives.
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Reason And Faith Were Historically Linked
- Early American intellectuals widely saw reason and Christianity as compatible through natural theology and historical inquiry.
- Colleges taught harmonization of faith and reason, shaping generations of educated Americans.
Darwin Didn’t End The Harmonizing Project
- Darwin and later science changed cosmology but did not end efforts to harmonize Christian faith with scientific findings.
- Many accepted evolution yet continued classes and arguments reconciling science with belief.
Separate Spheres: Science And Morality
- Many Americans adopted a