One of our foremost historians of religion here chronicles the arrival of Christianity in the New World, tracing the turning points in the developm...
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reviews
Dec 28, 2009
Adam
rated it: 
"Christianity in America is so intermingled with democratic, voluntaristic, and innovative aspects of American society that modern European models of a traditional church opposed by elite secular intellectuals in league with the sovereign state simply do not apply. ... A history of Christianity in America provides many details to illustrate how this religious situation has pointed sometimes to Christian integrity, sometimes to the ironic loss of Christian integrity. Not historical scholarsh
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Jan 26, 2009
Sharon
rated it: 
This book is severely hamstrung by the American- and Christian-centric views of the author. The title is the first indication of what I mean. If you google the phrase "old religion," you will find that it refers to Paganism. But Noll either doesn't know or doesn't care and so has very misleadingly titled his book. Nor is the book really about "North American" Christianity. Canadian and Mexican Christianities are given only a cursory glance.
This kind of bias mars t More...
This kind of bias mars t More...
Feb 19, 2008
Calvary
rated it:
Mark Noll is at it again with an effortless survey of Christianity in North America. Noll reminds us that Christianity in North America is an “import religion,” with very few distinctly American denominations. The religion of America is truly an “old religion in a new world.” However, over time, the old religion takes on distinctly American features due in large measure to issues such as space (North America is a big place with room for religious groups to spread out), pluralism (religious fr
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Oct 19, 2011
Diane
rated it:
This book tells the story of Christianity in North America, particularly the United States. It is an overall history, from colonial times to the present. Although much of the material is available elsewhere, the book is comprehensive and brings together the history, providing an excellent guide to the beginner or the more advanced student.
May 03, 2008
Rebecca
rated it: 
Fantastic book. The author went beyond recounting the witch trials and Great Awakenings and blah, blah, blah to dig into the context of Christianity in the US. I recognize that few others are as fascinated by this as I am, but I just soaked it up.
The author is a professor at the evangelical Wheaton College, and his perspective (bias?) definitely was evident. Plus he just skimmed right over pesky topics like missionary work among the Native Americans and only gave a nod to black ch More...
The author is a professor at the evangelical Wheaton College, and his perspective (bias?) definitely was evident. Plus he just skimmed right over pesky topics like missionary work among the Native Americans and only gave a nod to black ch More...
Jul 23, 2010
PB
rated it: 
Noll makes a textbook-level summary into an engaging narrative synthesis. Great because it's so lean and interesting without sacrificing nuance and insight.
Jun 23, 2010
The Old Religion in a New World: The History of North American Christianity by Mark A. Noll (2001)
Jan 16, 2011
Christine
rated it:
A very dense but thorough book of American religious history, the movements that define it, and the individuals who shaped it. Definitely a book to have on hand as both reading and reference material.
The only reason I gave it four stars is I feel I didn't get as much out of it as a layperson. I loved all of the information in it, though I wish I had more background in American theologists. Perhaps a good book for me to revisit at some time in the future after more study.
The only reason I gave it four stars is I feel I didn't get as much out of it as a layperson. I loved all of the information in it, though I wish I had more background in American theologists. Perhaps a good book for me to revisit at some time in the future after more study.
Jun 28, 2008
Nate
rated it:
Noll is an exceptional writer that takes the potentially boring topic of Church history in America and makes it applicable and interesting. Where this book does lack is that it focuses on the historical aspects and is a little thin on the Theological. This is a more academic work that his well known "Turning Points" and as a result Noll makes assumptions about his readers background of the theological. I highly recommend this excellent overview of the Church in America.
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