Religion and Politics in the Early Republic: Jasper Adams and the Church-State Debate

This is the second of Dreisbach's books which I have read, the first being REAL THREAT AND MERE SHADOW, with which he won my admiration. The research Dreisbach puts into his work is second to no one and this book follows in that vain. With this book, Dreisbach further promotes the proof that the United States were founded upon Christian principles. With this installment, Dreisbach gives a microscopic examination of a sermon given by Reverend Jasper Adams at St. Michael's Church in Charleston, S.C. on 13 February 1833. The sermon was subsequently published in its entirety and widely distributed. Reverend Adams sent out numerous copies to prominent statesmen and other prominent figures urging their review of its content. Some notables who responded to the request were Mr. Justice Joseph Story, former president and constitutional architect James Madison, and Chief Supreme Court Justice John Marshall. Adams' sermon was aptly named "The Relation of Christianity to Civil Government in the United States." Following an extraordinarily informative introduction, PART ONE of the book examines the sermon itself, followed by Rev. Adams' notes on the sermon. PART TWO examines some of the notable responses which it produced. The book is completed with an Epilog and Four Appendix that give the reader a great deal of information on the life of Rev. Adams, as well as a remarkable Bibliography. As with the other work I have read from this author, Dreisbach's research is beyond reproach and he makes an impregnable and irrefutable case for the role that Christianity has played in the establishment of the United States as a nation. I highly recommend this book and anxiously await the opportunity to read Dreisbach's other books. Monty Rainey www.juntosociety.com