One Holy and Happy Society

One Holy and Happy Society: The Public Theology of Jonathan Edwards, Volume 1, explores the intersection of faith and governance in early America. Gerald McDermott examines the sociopolitical theories of Jonathan Edwards, challenging the notion that his social thought was underdeveloped. Through an analysis of unpublished sermons and private notebooks, this work of public theology reveals Edwards as a sophisticated thinker focused on the duties of magistrates and the rights of citizens.

This history and theology volume situates Edwards within the context of civil religion and the New Divinity movement. By utilizing previously ignored manuscripts, McDermott presents a version of the theologian who was deeply engaged with the political culture of the colonial and early republican eras. The text provides a detailed look at New England's status under God and the role of patriotism in the American millennium.