Abstract: The rise of a distinctly American theology came from Christian appropriation of a republican political vision, Christian confidence in commonsense moral reasoning, and Christian success at implementing evangelical religion in the culture of the new United States. But, as American political thought evolved from classical whig (and hierarchical) principles toward liberal (and populist) principles, so also did the American theology evolve in the direction of greater confidence in free will, personal initiative, and self-guided interpretations of the Bible.

Keywords: commonsense moral reasoning, democratization, liberty, market reasoning, republicanism, virtue,