Mark Beliles

Over 1200 pages of scholarly research. One year after slaves first arrived in America, the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth in 1620 and laid the stepping stones for a redemptive part of the American Dream that inspired the words of Martin Luther King, Jr many years later. This book is a history of America with special attention to the influence of Chris... tianity on its development. This edition expands on an earlier version with additional information on Blacks, Hispanics and Asians in the Providential story of America. Now more than ever our polarized nation needs to learn its history and discover what God meant for our good (Gen 50:20). The late Alan Heimert, Professor of American Literature at Harvard University and author of "Religion and the American Mind", said that the evidence in this book provides, "truly new and original insight into the religious atmosphere of pre-Revolutionary Virginia, adding immeasurably to Thomas Jefferson's own intellectual biography." Drawing from about 1100 religious letters and papers of Thomas Jefferson (of which over 100 in recent months have been printed for the first time ever - some in this volume itself), this book identifies over 200 religious leaders or groups that Thomas Jefferson either worshipped with, aided financially or corresponded with. While not denying the unorthodox writings of Jefferson late in life, the context of the vast majority of his religious correspondence and actions, and the unique religious culture of Central Virginia, show a much more nuanced picture that challenges both secular and religious scholars to reassess Jeffersons modern image. Economist Magazine says: "Mark Beliles...can't be accused of refashioning Jefferson to his own tastes;....[The book shows] ....Jefferson explicitly renounced many tenets of traditional Christianity.... [but had] relationships with many clergy.... [and was] active, church-going..." Never before have most of Jefferson's religious correspondence and documented religious actions been collected into one volume. The ...Read More