A comprehensive overview of the study of church and state, the twenty-one essays included in this Handbook present a scholarly look at the intricacies and past and current debates that frame the American system of church and state, within five main areas: history, law, theology/philosophy, politics, and sociology. These essays provide factual accounts, but also examine issues, problems, debates, controversies, and, where appropriate, suggest resolutions.
They also offer analysis of the range of interpretations of the relationship between church and state offered by various American scholars.