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Category: Books
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 Title: Head and Heart – American Christianities  | views:12 |  Review by John L Ng Jul 10
Head and Heart – American Christianities
By Garry Wills The Penguin Press, 2007
Irrespective of the rancor in American politics concerning the separation between church and state, no reasonable person can ignore the influence religion, particularly Christianity, has in the founding and history of the United States. The meaning of separation is at the heart of this bitter debate. Some have sought to blacken the line of separation by defining it as the autonomous functions of church and state that must exist apart from the other. Another way to define separation is that the state should function independently but inseparable from the church.
The framers, both deists and theists alike, of the constitution never intended that religion, particularly Christianity, play no role in politics. As witnesses of European state churches, they feared governmental infringement on the establishment of religion and were desirous a constitutional guarantee of religious freedom in American life. Indeed it is the freedom of religion that has flourished Christianity in the new world. As Garry Wills notes in “Head and Heart,” government cannot legislate religious activities, like having faith in Jesus. But one would hope and expect that one’s faith in Jesus should influence every facet of that person’s life, including his political participation.
“Head and Heart” is a good read. Garry Wills, one of few American writers I enjoy reading, is a devoted Catholic and a learned historian. In his introduction to his class on the history of the constitution, Wills asked his students three questions: Do you believe in the separation of church and state? Do you believe in the separation of religion and politics? Do you believe in the separation of morality and politics? Almost all students responded yes to the first and second questions. But none responded positively to the third. Wills admits willingly that the answers to the second and third questions are inconsistent. A shared rationale recognizes that most people’s morality is affected by their religion. In fact, I would agree that answers to all three questions must be consistent. Since morality is affected by religion and much of religion is formulated by an instituted church, it would be reasonable to expect the church to play a role in politics.
The book examines the dynamic and uneven relationship between church and state. Their interplay has transformed the political and the religious landscape in American. Wills divides the history of church and state into five epochs: The pre-enlightenment period of the 17th century that witnessed the early Puritans, the conflicting colonies and the first Great Awakening; The enlightenment of the 18th century that included the rise of the Unitarians, the Quakers and the founding of a new nation; The Romantic Era of 19th century ushered in the slavery conflict, the Civil War and the second Great Awakening; The Cultural Wars years of the 20th century that included the two great world wars, the rights movements and Evangelical politics; The Religious Nation period of the latter 20th and early 21st centuries that gave rise to faith based politics, advanced social services, education and wars.
Whether one is initiated or not in the debate of church and state politics, this read provides an informed background for conversations. Every good Christian ought to be a good citizen; every good citizen ought to be informed of the political issues. Many of these issues are at once hostile and friendly to our faith and practice.
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| Review submitted: 2010/8/6
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