“This is a gem of a book. Masterfully conceived and executed, Turning Points in American Church History is smart, lively, and highly instructive. With expert command of the scholarly literature and the voice and heart of a teacher, Elesha Coffman brilliantly distills nearly five centuries of Christian history into thirteen vibrant episodes. Christians and non-Christians, scholars and novices, college and seminary students, church groups and armchair readers will all find the book illuminating, accessible, and engaging. A rare feat.”—Kristin Kobes Du Mez, professor of history, Calvin University; New York Times bestselling author of Jesus and John Wayne

“More than a dozen academic surveys of American church history grace the field, and each displays distinctive strengths. Yet Coffman’s volume offers the strongest overall combination of focus, clarity, research, conciseness, and wit (yes, wit). Without hesitation I would assign this work before any of the others to virtually any college, seminary, university, or Christian formation class. It is a truly brilliant contribution.”—Grant Wacker, Gilbert T. Rowe Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Duke Divinity School

“Colonialism, race, religious freedom. Coffman reminds us how much of American history is bound up with the history of Christianity. After reading this accessible work, Christian readers in America will better understand their own story, and those outside the faith and outside the nation may get a better idea of what all the fuss is about when it comes to American Christianity!”—Malcolm Foley, special advisor to the president, Baylor University

“If you are looking for a captivating introduction to the story of American Christianity, you would do well to start here. This sweeping, swiftly paced book brims with insights and is guaranteed to leave readers with much to ponder and debate. Coffman not only brings church history to life but also underscores its undeniable, ongoing centrality to United States history writ large.”—Heath W. Carter, associate professor of American Christianity, Princeton Theological Seminary

“Elesha Coffman’s smart, carefully constructed, and richly informative book shows us the power of a really good question, a gift more valuable than a library full of answers. She has issued the best invitation possible, asking us to think, consider, and then keep on asking good questions about what she aptly calls the ‘lumpy and angular’ story of American Christianity in all its diversity and depth.”—Margaret Bendroth, author of Good and Mad: Mainline Protestant Churchwomen, 1920–1980

“Believe it or not, church history is essential for understanding the origins of the United States and the development of our national culture. Elesha Coffman selects a few well-chosen events from the past five hundred years, each one yielding vivid insights and revealing just how often the church lies at the center of American society. This surprisingly comprehensive series of historical highlights demonstrates the numerous yet profound and often unseen connections between religion, race, gender, and politics. A reliable guide and handy resource, Turning Points in American Church History is not to be missed.”—Gerardo Martí, William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Sociology, Davidson College; author of American Blindspot