Sworn on the Altar of God: A Religious Biography of Thomas Jefferson (Library of Religious Biography) [Paperback]

Edwin S. Gaustad (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1996 | Series: Library of Religious Biography

In this new religious biography of Thomas Jefferson, Gaustad reveals the founding fathers great commitment to religious liberty as well as his passion to reform or purify Christianity. Superb debunking of contemporary religious right caricatures.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This timely reminder of Jefferson's lifelong commitment to religious liberty is also a clearly written account of the origins and context of the commitment. At the same time, it is a rich introduction to Jefferson's life and work, with some attention to the contradictions that abounded in the life of a champion of liberty who was also a southern slaveholder. Gaustad's concluding quotation from an early biographer of Jefferson is a good summary of the importance of his subject: "If Jefferson was wrong, America is wrong." This book is a valuable contribution to reflection on both possibilities. Steve Schroeder

Product Details

• Paperback: 260 pages
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (January 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802801560
• ISBN-13: 978-0802801562
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #259,604 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #70 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( J ) > Jefferson, Thomas

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shedding Some Light On Jeffersonian Religion, April 26, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Sworn on the Altar of God: A Religious Biography of Thomas Jefferson (Library of Religious Biography) (Paperback)

Recent debate between religious and political groups have constantly referred to the phrase "separation of church and state." This clause deserves special distinction because it is the most famous constitutional language to never appear in the constitution. Jefferson wrote it to a group of Danbury Baptists in the 1790s well after the Constitution was written. In this new book Gaustad clears up this and other misconceptions about Jefferson's religious life and presents him as the greatest fighter for religious liberty the country has ever known.
What was the Virginia Statute For Religious Freedom, and how did it set the mode for Western Civilization Church and State Relations? What were Jefferson's beliefs on the deity of Jesus Christ? Was Jefferson against Christian expansion? Did Jefferson really rewrite the New Testament in "The Jefferson Bible?" These are questions that every historian, and many non-academic lovers of history
have been asking about the third president of the United States. More than any other founding father, Jefferson is noted for his role in the relationship between religion and government.
Gaustad chronicles Jefferson's religious life from age 14 to his death in a language that will satisfy scholars and non scholars alike. A must read for all those interested in Thomas Jefferson.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Narrative Account of Jefferson's Religious Ideas, April 4, 2002

By 

Jill Mayfield (San Antonio, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Sworn on the Altar of God: A Religious Biography of Thomas Jefferson (Library of Religious Biography) (Paperback)

This book is an excellent compliement to Charles Sanford's "The Religious Life of Thomas Jefferson." Whereas Sanford does a scholarly review of the content of Jefferson's religious ideas, Gaustad in this book gives the narrative and context for how Jefferson applied his ideas concerning religion and religious freedom. Most interesting to me in the Gaustad book were the accounts of the political fights Jefferson and Madison waged for religious freedom during the early years of the Republic. Gaustad filled in the historical gaps and gave me context for understanding how momentous the struggle truly was. Also brought to life by Gaustad are the correspondences between the aged ex-presidents Jefferson and Adams about God and religion. I highly recommend this book to those interested in the history of ideas and freedom of thought.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Review, December 15, 2005

By 

J Martin Jellinek (Memphis, TN United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sworn on the Altar of God: A Religious Biography of Thomas Jefferson (Library of Religious Biography) (Paperback)

Sworn on the Altar of God is an extremely informative look at Thomas Jefferson's faith. As one of the Founding Fathers, politicians and people of faith have so often tried to understand Jefferson's faith. In truth, he was a deist and a rationalist. Understanding the implications of this faith have great ramifications in our current times, especially in relation to a government which seems so intent on glorifying evangelical fundamentalism at the expense of reason. I feel that Jefferson would have been appalled!