New Books in Intellectual History Paul J. Gutacker, "The Old Faith in a New Nation: American Protestants and the Christian Past" (Oxford UP, 2023)
Jan 13, 2026
Join Paul J. Gutacker, a historian from Baylor University, as he explores evangelical Protestant engagement with Christian history in his new book. He debunks the myth that 19th-century Protestants dismissed tradition, revealing their deep interest in the past through sermons and political debates. Discover how historical narratives fueled anti-Catholicism and shaped the abolitionist movement. Gutacker highlights the role of women in church history and how African American ministers invoked history for liberation. It's a fascinating dive into the complexities of faith and memory!
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Evangelicals Were Historically Literate
- Early American Protestants read and used church history widely, contrary to the stereotype of pure biblicism.
- Their historical reading shaped political and social views between the Revolution and Civil War.
Constantine As The Corruption Narrative
- Protestants blamed the corruption of Christianity on Constantine and state-church alliances.
- That narrative justified disestablishment and fueled American exceptionalism in religion.
Diverse Histories Served Protestant Ends
- Protestants read a mix of pious and Enlightenment church histories to serve different aims.
- Even skeptical works (Hume, Gibbon) were useful because they highlighted Catholic corruption.
