The Course of God's Providence - (North American Religions) by Philippa Koch (Hardcover)

This groundbreaking book, "The Course of God's Providence," offers a profound exploration of how religion shaped medical practices in 18th-century America.

Drawing on a wide range of sources, including pastoral manuals, manuscript memoirs, journals, letters, epidemic narratives, and medical treatises, the author reveals how Protestant teachings around providence influenced the ways believers understood and addressed sickness and health.

The book shows that even as Enlightenment ideas of secularization took hold, many early Americans continued to rely on religious beliefs to make sense of their experiences with illness and disease.

Through a nuanced and sophisticated interpretation of these sources, Koch argues that narrative played a crucial role in shaping medical practices during this time.

The book also offers important lessons for today's society, as it demonstrates the ongoing relevance of religious ideas to our understanding of health and illness.

With its impressive scholarship and engaging writing style, "The Course of God's Providence" is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of religion and medicine in America.