Reviving the Ancient Faith, 3rd ed.
The Story of Churches of Christ in America
- History & Biography
- Publisher: Eerdmans
- Published: 2024
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Publisher's Description
A balanced, well-documented history of the Churches of Christ in America The Churches of Christ is a denomination defined by not being a denomination. These communities intended to restore a primitive Christianity, undivided by historical quarrels. Despite this ideal, the Churches of Christ in America have a surprisingly complex history dating back to the nineteenth century. James L. Gorman’s fresh edition of Richard T. Hughes’s classic work, Reviving the Ancient Faith, illuminates the movement started by Barton Stone and Alexander Campbell. The authors trace the movement’s sociological transformation into a denomination from the 1830s into the twentieth century. Four developments forged this new identity: the premillennialist controversy, the divide over institutions, the racial segregation of congregations and schools, and the fight over liberalism in the 1960s. New to the third edition, the final chapters bring the history of Churches of Christ from the 1960s up to 2022, analyzing the growing diversity of the movement amid intradenominational “culture wars.” Reviving the Ancient Faith, 3rd edition, challenges readers to learn the historical basis of Church of Christ identity and beliefs. Students of the history of the Church of Christ and American religion will derive from its pages a more holistic and informed understanding of the tradition.
Endorsements (4)
“James Gorman has masterfully recrafted Richard Hughes’s classic history of the soul of Churches of Christ into a compelling and up-to-date narrative. A rich contribution to the history of American Christianity and the Stone-Campbell movement, this remarkable volume will be the starting point for interpretations of this religious tradition for many years to come.”
“This is the most thorough treatment of this faith tradition so far. A rich book has just become richer.”
“James Gorman’s additions and edits to Richard Hughes’s Reviving the Ancient Faith only enhanced its standing among essential texts related to the Stone-Campbell Movement. Students and scholars seeking information related to the history of Churches of Christ will surely pull this book from their shelves first.”
“This well-balanced new edition includes invaluable information, including twenty-first-century developments on race and gender issues. It carries forward Hughes’s original focus on the character of Churches of Christ, its sectarian roots, and its shift into denominationalism. Gorman’s all-new chapter on fragmentation is essential for understanding the challenges faced by Churches of Christ today. This book is critical reading for those who want to reflect upon sociocultural influences on a conservative tradition and the potential implications for American Protestantism today.”
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