A History of Christianity in America

The story of Christianity in America is a fascinating one, marked by constant change, development, and innovation. The faith has shaped the country, even as the country has shaped it. Award-winning historian Mark Granquist has written an up-to-date telling of this story from the arrival of Europeans to the present day. While the twists and turns are complex, varied, and at times confusing, Granquist has identified several consistent threads that weave their way through the various branches and periods of American Christianity: voluntary religion, pluralism, and an innovative religious marketplace.

The account is comprehensive without being overwhelming. And it is presented in a clear and compelling narrative sure to capture and hold readers’ interest. This book is therefore ideal for use in semester-long classes in undergraduate or graduate programs and appealing for general readers. The main text is accompanied by illustrative elements including sidebars, images, maps, and timelines.

Mark A. Granquist (PhD, University of Chicago Divinity School) is the Lloyd and Annelotte Svendsbye Professor of the History of Christianity at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. His publications include the acclaimed Lutherans in America: A New History, Scandinavian Pietists: Spiritual Writings from 19th-Century Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland, and The Augustana Story: Shaping Lutheran Identity in North America (coauthored with Maria Erling). He is also known as a leading expert on the impact of migration on American Christianity.