Battling Protestants

Book excerpt: This book is based on an in-depth filmed conversation between Howard Burton and intellectual historian David Hollinger, UC Berkeley, and examines the unique role that different strands of religion have played in 20th-century American culture. The conversation examines intriguing aspects of the distinction between Ecumenical and Evangelical Protestantism, the often overlooked role of Ecumenical Protestantism in the history of the USA, secularization theory, the development of the two-party system, the role of missionaries, and more. This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, The Exception that Proves the Rule?, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter: I. Diverging Protestants: Ecumenical vs. Evangelical II. Drifting towards Secularism? American religious exceptionalism III. Often Overlooked: Reinhold Niebuhr’s Legacy IV. The Missionary Position: Encounters with The Other V. Demographic Diversification: Cosmopolitan spies and other issues VI. William James: Interpretations and misinterpretations VII. Strident Atheists: Evangelism 2.0 VIII. An Empty Stage: America’s intellectual exchange deficit IX. Future Speculations: Pushing a historian out of his comfort zone About Ideas Roadshow Conversations: Presented in an accessible, conversational format, Ideas Roadshow books not only explore frontline academic research but also reveal the inspirations and personal journeys behind the research.