Samuel Hopkins and the New Divinity Movement

Samuel Hopkins was the closest friend and disciple of the man generally considered to be the greatest religious thinker America has produced--Jonathan Edwards. Hopkins was also a founder and leading spokesman of the New Divinity Movement, a major religious movement in New England congregationalism from 1740 to 1800.The author here combines biographical detail with a balanced and scholarly assessment of the historical and theological significance of this influential Calvinist thinker.""An excellent analysis not only of Hopkins himself but of the Calvinist school he profoundly influenced.""--Edwin S. Gaustad, University of California, Riverside, Emeritus""Writing with clarity, originality, and vigor, Joseph Conforti has filled a long-felt need with this fine study. . . . Conforti not only brings to life the most important of Jonathan Edwards's pupils, but also he puts Hopkins's long and controversial career into focus. . . . He matches his impeccable scholarship with a very readable, lucid style. I hope this study reaches the wide audience it deserves.""--William G. McLoughlin, Brown UniversityJoseph A. Conforti, a graduate of Brown University, is presently Professor of American and New England Studies at the University of Southern Maine. Previously, he was Assistant Professor of History and English at Rhode Island College. Conforti has published several articles on the New Divinity Movement and is the author of five books on New England.