Amanda Porterfield’s: Conceived in Doubt

My review this week is centered on a book that takes a look at religion and politics in America: Amanda Porterfield’s Conceived in Doubt: Religion and Politics in the New American Nation. In this book, Porterfield examines evangelical Christianity and its role in forming the political structure of the United States. The key is “little ‘e’” evangelicalism, meaning the denominations or members who feel a duty to spread Christianity. Starting her analysis just after the formation of the country, Porterfield begins by looking at the 1790s, a time period with a unique cultural and historical backdrop. It seems that the religious roots our country was founded by were actually brought on by an outbreak of religious doubt, which is understandable, given the previous few decades. Although Porterfield examines much more than this time period, a strong point of the book is that Porterfield is constantly placing the information in historical context, and almost never is an assumption made without it being stated as such. Porterfield is an excellent writer, and it is obvious that she has a passion for the subject. The writing never felt clumsy or awkward, and the material was presented in a way that made the reader eager to learn more. If you are looking for a book concerning American politics or the history of Christianity in the United States, pick up Amanda Porterfield’s Conceived in Doubt: Religion and Politics in the New American Nation. The book is a fascinating read for those who find the material engaging.