The Religious Formation of John Witherspoon: Calvinism, Evangelicalism, and the Scottish Enlightenment

Kevin DeYoung's 'The Religious Formation of John Witherspoon' examines Witherspoon's upbringing, education, and ministry in Scotland to show the theological continuity informing his later American career.

The book argues that Witherspoon's Reformed convictions, rather than a sudden conversion to Enlightenment ideas, explain his moral philosophy and public engagement.

DeYoung uses primary sources and Witherspoon's writings to reconstruct the minister's intellectual formation and ministerial priorities.

The study connects Witherspoon's Scottish context to his roles as Princeton president, clergyman, and Founding Father.

It offers insight into how religious formation influenced early American political thought.