Liberty of Conscience: The History of a Puritan Idea

by L John Van

Author traces the idea of "freedom of expression/conscience" from the English Puritan, William Perkins, through the colonial American Baptist, Roger Williams, and up to 1972; a very interesting work, especially in light of the current religious and political climate.

204 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[C.S. Hart · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little redundant with a handful of gold nuggets.

[Robert]

Demonstrates the Religous and philosophical underpinnings of The foundations of Government of the American Republic. From William Perkins to Madison and the US Founding of the Republic

[Mark Nenadov · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a descent treatment of the history of liberty of conscience in England and America up to the American Revolution. The book probably would have gotten a better review from me if I had stopped reading at the last quarter of the book.

lt seems to me that some of the discipline, focus, and deep analysis which were characteristic of the author's treatment of England and early colonial America were lost when it came to discussing the revolutionary-war era period. I also think the author got a little sidetracked into a discussion of whether the "wall of separation" concept, as used today, is valid. I wouldn't call the issue irrelevant to the topic at hand, but nevertheless it seemed a bit tangential. At the very least the author could have done a better job of tying it into his momentum.

Nevertheless, this is a good book overall. I love the way he views the issue and its historical outgrowth as, at its core, a conflict between Perkins and Ames. I love his comparisons of "liberty of conscience" with "toleration". I loved his discussion of Roger Williams versus the MA puritans. So, though the book sort of "comes apart" towards the end, it really has a fair amount to commend it.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good.