John D. Wilsey, chair of church history at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has written one of the most consequential books on religious freedom that I have read.
This is a rigorous philosophical defense of the importance of religious freedom in America as a mediating influence on liberty. Wilsey says that American liberty and equality are good things, but the sinful human nature will lead people to abuse the liberties of minorities, were it not for the moral influence of religion. He draws heavily from Alexis de Tocqueville’s insights in his classic book, Democracy in America.
Wilsey describes himself as an “aspirational conservative.” He defines an aspirational conservative as one who preserves traditions but is not a reactionary who defends all traditions simply for tradition’s sake. Rather, the aspirational conservative is willing to consider when traditions need adjustment and does so judiciously.
Despite the deep-thinking the book requires, Wilsey uses frequent illustrations and writes in a winsome, appealing style. I highly recommend it to anybody who cares about America’s political and religious future.