God in American literary history: changing perspectives

American literary history was transformed in the 1980s by the application of critical theory, which called into question the terms American, literary, and history from a secular, historicist perspective. What are the implications if this secular perspective for students with religious beliefs? In order for students to fully understand and appreciate American literature and be prepared to confront a world of increasing religious turmoil, secular teachers and scholars must respectfully take into account reasonable religious perspectives.