The Declaration of Independence and God
Self-Evident Truths in American Law

This book studies the concept of a 'self-evident' God in American legal thought from the Revolution to the present.

Owen Anderson (Author)

9781107088184, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 18 September 2015

216 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 1.4 cm, 0.46 kg

'Anderson's book concludes with an appeal for renewed attention to natural religion as a step toward regaining the political consensus enjoyed by earlier generations. … Whatever the future holds, however, Anderson's book helps us understand the present and its roots in the past.' Randy Beck, Journal of Church and State

'Self-evident truths' was a profound concept used by the drafters of the American Declaration of Independence to insist on their rights and freedom from oppressive government. How did this Enlightenment notion of self-evident human rights come to be used in this historic document and what is its true meaning? In The Declaration of Independence and God, Owen Anderson traces the concept of a self-evident creator through America's legal history. Starting from the Declaration of Independence, Anderson considers both challenges to belief in God from thinkers like Thomas Paine and American Darwinists, as well as modifications to the concept of God by theologians like Charles Finney and Paul Tillich. Combining history, philosophy and law in a unique focus, this book opens exciting new avenues for the study of America's legal history.

Introduction
1. Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine
2. The reformed influence on common sense philosophy
3. Common sense and self-evident in law
4. Intuition and the self-evident in law
5. Naturalism, Darwinism, the self-evident, and law
6. Revivalism, new religious movements, and law
7. Liberal theology and legal transformations
8. Secular and religious goods in the twentieth century
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Legal history [LAZ], Law [L], Political science & theory [JPA]