1. In search of America's Great Awakenings
- Author
-
Adie, Douglas K.
- Subjects
Revivals -- History ,Evangelicalism -- History ,Humanities ,Social sciences - Abstract
This essay re-examines Robert W. Fogel's thesis in The Fourth Great Awakening and the Future of Egalitarianism, which sees America's religious revivals as pivotal in the transformation of culture through the political process, ultimately producing greater equality. Fogel's work thus provides the context for examining the impact of evangelical Christianity on American culture. Curiously, Fogel's approach brackets the underlying spiritual reality beneath the conversion experience, and assumes the primacy of social economic, and political processes in U.S. history. Yet, the Puritan Awakening the nature of overlapping historical cycles leading to greater equality, and the increasing secularization of American society--all beg the question of interpreting U.S. history, and leave open the prospect of spiritual renewal which would characterize America's Fourth Great Awakening. Hence, the essay tries to regraft some of the spiritual roots onto Fogel's secular interpretation of historical events and the dynamics of American culture.
- Published
- 2002