Abstract
This article critically assesses Randall Balmer’s America’s Best Idea, a historical and legal examination of the Jeffersonian principle of church-state separation. Drawing on Jefferson’s 1802 letter to the Danbury Baptists and Roger Williams’ earlier theological insights, Balmer frames the metaphorical “wall” as both a constitutional safeguard and cultural cornerstone. The review analyzes the book’s treatment of evolving Supreme Court jurisprudence, particularly the shift from strict separationism to accommodationism in recent decisions. It contextualizes this legal transformation within the broader rise of Christian Nationalism, examining the ideological and institutional pressures reshaping civic discourse. While affirming Balmer’s historical rigor and rhetorical clarity, the article highlights areas where deeper engagement with competing constitutional interpretations—especially originalist perspectives—would strengthen the book’s scholarly reach. Ultimately, this review underscores the enduring relevance of Jefferson’s metaphor and calls for a renewed, strategically sophisticated defense of religious pluralism in a rapidly transforming American landscape.
Recommended Citation
Smith, Michael A.
(2025)
"America’s Best Idea: The Separation of Church and State, A Review,"
Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History: Vol. 8:
Iss.
1, Article 8.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/ljh/vol8/iss1/8
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