In Part I of our series on the history of Christianity of America, we explored the earliest arrival of the faith in the New World. In particular, we looked at the 1550 debate between Bartolome de las Casas and Juan Sepulveda over the treatment and humanity of Native Americans, a debate which made heavy use of the Bible on both sides of the argument. We then looked at the Mayflower voyage in 1620 and the pursuit of religious freedom that was a prominent factor in the founding of the early English colonies. As we turn to Part II, we’re going to jump to the 18th century, when the Great Awakening and the first great American theologians laid the groundwork for American independence, and Richard Allen’s life demonstrated both the possibilities and limitations in the religious life of a new nation.
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