Roger Williams: Prophet of Liberty

by Edwin S. Gaustad

Roger Williams chronicles the life of one of the most remarkable forefathers in American history. A true revolutionary, this devout Puritan championed Native American rights; wrote treatises on equal rights, flag desecration, and the separation of church and state; established the first American settlement based on total religious toleration--and he lived more than a century before independence, when America was still a vast wilderness! Williams went on to adopt adult baptism and founded the first Baptist church in America. He became president of Rhode Island colony in 1654, served as captain in the defense of Providence during King Philip's War, and continued to write and preach passionately for religious tolerance and Native American rights until his death in 1683.

144 pages, Hardcover

Published May 10, 2001

About the author

A leading scholar of American religious history, Edwin Scott Gaustad was Professor of History at the University of California, Riverside. He earned his B.A. in history from Baylor University (1947), and his M.A. (1948) and Ph.D. (1951) in History of Religions from Brown University.

Reviews

[Leroy Seat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though it is listed as "juvenile literature," I thought that this was a great book. There were definitions of some difficult words, which I did not need, and there were quite a few pictures, which only enhanced the well-written prose, but the life and work of Williams is by no means "dumbed down."

Roger Williams has long been one of my heroes, and after reading this book I am even more appreciative of his beliefs about religious freedom and his efforts to insure religious freedom in Rhode Island.

I hope a lot of "juveniles" read this book. But even more, I hope a lot of conservative Christians, especially conservative Baptists, as well as many people who have a negative view of Christianity because of the Religious Right, will read this book.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging and highly readable account, Gaustad has done a fine job of telling the story of Roger Williams, especially his views on religious liberty. One of the strengths of this book is how Gaustad gives ample attention to set Williams in historical context. He does so by describing 16th and 17th century Puritanism, colonial New England, relations between Williams and American Indians, developments in religious liberty after Williams, and more. There is also thoughtful attention to Williams’ theological beliefs beyond religious liberty, often compared and contrasted with others. Recommended for gaining a good introduction to Williams and his impact on colonial New England and beyond.