Customer Reviews

The Light and the Glory

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

After reading some of the reviews for this book I am wondering if the reviewers have thought through what they are saying. Every author is biased. Every author has a perspective. To say this book is a poor treatment of history because the authors start with a premise and sustain it throughout the book is ridiculous. Every author who has ever written a book does the same thing. You may disagree with Manuel and Marshall's opinions and give the book a poor rating, but do not ostracize for having a perspective and admitting it from the start. When you do this you not only betray your own bias, but you also do discredit to the Amazon.com reader looking for advice on buying the book.

Having read this book, I give much credit to the authors for their extensive use of quotations. Many historians edit out "religious" themes attempting to show historical characters as the modern reader would want to see them. But the true student of history does not mind reading about the religious influences of the founding fathers. They understand that, even if they disagree with a historical figure's theology or belief system, these people did believe these things and they lived their lives based on those beliefs.

One example of this from the book is the character of Christopher Columbus. The book quotes Columbus's journal where he states that God put it in his mind that he could sail to the West Indies. A modern historian may choose to leave this quote out of their history book because they don't believe that God put the idea in his mind, or they don't think their reader cares. But in both cases they have secularized historical facts. By showing us the religious slant in Columbus's thinking, Manuel and Marshall have broadened our understanding of Columbus, and shown themselves to be less biased than most modern historians.

Accusations of whitewashing history are quickly erased in Columbus's case when the authors present the depressing facts of how the pursuit of gold in the new world became a greater influence on Columbus than did his original idea of God's calling him to discover America. This pursuit leads to the genocide of what is now Latin America in the 16th Century.

So, read this book for what it is. The sub-title on the front cover gives the authors' hypothetical question: Did God have a plan for America? If you view the book from the perspective of Manuel and Marshall attempting to answer this question; you will have read the book form its intended viewpoint. And you will not be disappointed

As a local school board member, I am familiar with the difficulties of public service. I have recently been discouraged to greater and greater degrees by the compromise, the lack of conservative values, and the spend-thrift nature of public education.

I had a fellow board member tell me that America was not founded as a "Christian" nation. She challenged me to read "In Search of Christian America." So I decided I would, followed by "The Light and the Glory," which had been recommended by a friend some years ago. Each side would have a shot at my heart and mind.

"The Light and the Glory" won the battle. The difference between it and the first book mentioned was great as the difference between a musty, closed house, and a fresh sea breeze. The authors laid out the history of our early settlers and founders, relying heavily upon primary-source journals, writings, and letters. While I could not agree with every conclusion drawn, I found myself more inspired with each turn of the page. When I finally reached the account of Valley Forge, and the victories that followed, I knew I was reading a special accounting of history.

And when I read of General Washington's resignation of his commission, I was moved to tears in a way I rarely am.

This book renewed my faith in the wisdom and faith of our founders, inspired me to renew my own commitment to God's service, and refreshed my desire to continue my own public service.

I recommend it wholeheartedly.

Authors Peter Marshall and David Manuel admit from the beginning that they are not really writing a history book exactly. They are giving what they perceive as historical examples of America being a Christian Nation guided by God to fulfill its destiny in God's plan as a Puritan City on A Hill or a New Israel. Millions of Americans both past and present have believed in such a destiny and these authors present this view well. Are they biased? Yes. But not anymore than Marxist, revisionist, feminist, or multi-cultural historians. My advice is read history from several viewpoints as you search for the truth. Try to avoid that inevitable destination to which we all finally find rest, comfort, and joy--self-righteous smugness and arrogant certainty.

I think their book is targeted for a mostly teenage audience to impress impressionable minds, but adults can read it and not insulted intellectually. It just seems a bit simplistic at times when compared to other histories I've read.

The authors begin with Christopher Columbus's voyage to America. They mention Columbus's belief that he was destined to find a land in which he would bring the light of Christianity to the heathen. (A more cynical interpretation would be that Columbus was merely a conquerer imposing his religious beliefs on the native subjects, but the authors are not taking that route.) Strange incidences are mentioned in which Columbus chose the lot among about 30 men to go on a pilgramage more than once during storms which threaten to sink the ship. This lot-choosing for taking a pilgramage to a shrine was seen as a way of appeasing the Lord. In fact, the authors use incidences in history as examples of God's providence or testing, or the devil's meddling or tempting the people of God to choose right or wrong. Storms such as natural events often don't happen by mere chance according to the authors, especially during some important historical event that is affected by that natural event.

I thought the authors covered the Puritan leaders really well. John Winthop was a particularly important figure in American history because he was largely responsible for successfully starting and leading the Puritan colony and making it a success. He made everyone, gentlemen or not, roll up their sleeves and get to work on building the colony. This colony is contrasted with the struggling colony in Virginia which was harmed by bad leadership. Kudos to God and blame to sinners is given along the way.

I got the impression that the Puritan Roger Williams was a character. He wanted to be really, really, really pure before the eyes of God. So much so that he even became an annoyance even to the Puritans. When they tried to correct the error of his fanatical ways, he would always resort to the argument that they were violating his freedom of conscience. He could always brilliantly reason his way out of being reproved. Finally, he went off to Rhode Island to a colony of people who were dissidents bordering on crankdom like himself and they were a terrible annoyance to him--I found it an amusing account of folly of fanaticism.

Anne Hutchison, was another Puritan character who became a heretic. She believed that whatever on her mind was the voice of God talking to her. She began preaching unbiblical ideas which got her banished from the colony.

The authors take pains to present the Puritans as NOT the tired, old killjoys that some people, probably pleasure addicts, libertines and hedonists, have described them as. They give examples of Puritans partying and telling jokes, all within the limits of righteousness, of course. The authors give them a break from the relentless criticism--I think the Puritans deserve one.

Religious leaders and great preachers are covered in the book. The evangelist George Whitefield during the Great Awakening was the era's greatest soul-winner. Sometimes he would have crowds up to 30,000 listening to him in nearly complete silence. It's remarkable to think about in era before microphones. His preaching helped God save the souls of whole towns on occassion. He would preach as many as four sermons a day and worked everyday. Though he kept an exhausting schedule on his tour of various towns, he never quit until he dropped dead.

Some of the natural events do seem to more than just coincidences. The famous fog that gave cover to George Washington and his cornered troops during the Revolutionary War is one example. Although it had been clear and not rainy previously, a fog appeared in the early morning hours to help the American troops to escape from the British who had them right where they wanted them.

The authors cover the beginnings of a culture war between secular rationalists such as Thomas Jefferson and fervent fundamentalist believers such as George Washington. Jefferson was a deist and a Unitarian that didn't believe in miracles or the divinity of Christ. He thought that Jesus was merely a great moral teacher.

The authors cover the period from Columbus's arrival to America to the beginnings of the Constitutional Republic. I've just picked a few events and people of interest to me. This is a good book for anyone wanting to study the Christian roots of the United States.

This book deals with how God was involved in the founding of America and how she developed. These authors did their homework. They brought out diary accounts and anything relevant and wove them into a easy to read and enjoyable story-type format. I'm not a history buff, but I could not put this one down. They made a compelling case for God's involvement in the founding of America, why some attempts to establish colonies failed because of the motives of founders and His miraculous hand in the lives of those who would honor Him. If high school text books had been this enjoyable to read and had showed history as more than a set of unrelated facts, I might have been a better student. A must read.

The writers do an admirable job of going back to original source documents and giving them an objective interpretation. The original text allows the reader to validate Marshall & Manuel's thesis. I was amazed at the clarity of the original documents. From these documents you'll be certain that America was founded by Christians, using a Christ-like pattern for society. The fictional scenes and dialogue make it a lively read ... and far more faithful to the facts than some of the made-for-TV history that's been produced.

This is an enjoyable and informative read. Every Christian and every American will benefit from this book. The only faith requirement to reading (and enjoying) this book is to believe that "God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and sets over them anyone he wishes." (Dan 5:21)

Thank you, Mr. Marshall and Manuel! I've benefited spiritually and intellectually by this book.

Did God have a plan for America? That is the question the authors tried to answer and its a question many of us have asked? Was the discovery of the new world chance or was there a Divine purpose behind it?

The Light and the Glory highlights the coming of the Light of Christ to the new world in an extraordinary way - through faithful but sinful people. Yes, sinful people founded this country but they were a people faithful to achnowledge their own sins and quick to repent. God used these people - ordinary people - to do HIS work of planting a new Israel.

Marshall and Manuel do a wonderful job of addressing how God used the early explorers' and settlers' faithfulness to plant the Light of Christ in the New World. They show how through convenant obedience with God the great discoveries were made and settlements were started. They showed how men lived in both a vertical covenant with God and a horizontal covenant with their neighbors. "Love one another as I have love you" was their guide. They also showed how self-love and breaking the covenant relationship between themselves and God and their neighbors brought hardship and death upon the settlers to the New World. For example Jamestown.

They showed the Divine hand of God orchestrating and guiding a vast group of individuals with one heart into a fledgling nation. How Washington was preserved for a great calling during the Indian wars of 1755 because of his own covenant relationship. Later they highlighted the coming to gether of the continental army at Valley Forge. Entering for the winter, they were a defeated group of rag tag soldiers ready to collapse. When they left six months later, they were a united, devoted group of men fighting for a common cause under the covenant banner of relationship. United with God and with each other an Army that never truely won a battle before Valley Forge, never lost one after.

The Light and the Glory is a powerful look at American history so often neglected today. The History of God in America.

Thank you Peter Marshall and David Manuel for showing us the LIGHT once again!

This book sparked a dead interest in the History of our country. I read it, coincidentally, just before Thanksgiving this year. It put in perspective the unbelieveable sacrifice the first emigrants gave in order to be truly free. It is an excellent starting place for anyone interested in political history and theological history in our country since Marshall wove the threads of religious evolution and political evolution together as they actually were.

This marvelous book is an enormously powerful yet easy read. It is appropriate for any age level from about 8 or 9 yrs. on up. I read it about 15 years ago and it still sticks in my mind for it was the seed upon which I became a born-again Christian as opposed to a person who just believed in God. This book has never been more relevant and necessary than today. If a number of Americans ,especially the Congress and all our judges would give one day to this book, our nation would reap enormous benefits in security and financial savings and education and peace.......Parents; please read this book and make it mandatory reading in your household. You'll be planting a very good seed.

A well-written book which provides the context for "In God We Trust". Peter Marshall has a viewpoint, and one which is sorely missing from the current historical scene. I found his narration of the Christian roots and history of America truly fascinating. I absolutely recommend this book for its perspective and readability.

The people taking Christ out of our daily lives by legislation need to read this book. It points out many times where, without the intervention of the Lord, the battle to establish this country would be lost.