The Rise of Theological Liberalism and the Decline of American Methodism

The Rise of Theological Liberalism and the Decline of American Methodism PDF Author: James V. Heidinger (II)
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781628244021
Category : Church attendance
Languages : en
Pages : 288

Get Book Here

Book Description
"Once a strong, vital, and growing denomination, the United Methodist Church is now barely recognizable after more than four decades of demoralization and membership decline. What has gone wrong? In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the American church saw the rise of "theological liberalism," a religious system that intended to respond to new scientific and intellectual currents that were sweeping across the culture. Instead, liberalism not only challenged, but often displaced the substance of the church's doctrine and teaching, accommodating it to the new intellectual milieu of secularism and rationalism. In The Rise of Theological Liberalism and the Decline of American Methodism, James Heidinger discusses the rise of liberalism in America, its anti-supernatural focuses, and the resulting transition in Wesleyan theology. While there are undoubtedly many dimensions to the decline of a denomination, Heidinger suggests we look no further than theological liberalism as the driving force behind the fall of the once-mighty United Methodist Church"--

The Rise of Theological Liberalism and the Decline of American Methodism

The Rise of Theological Liberalism and the Decline of American Methodism PDF Author: James V. Heidinger (II)
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781628244021
Category : Church attendance
Languages : en
Pages : 288

Get Book Here

Book Description
"Once a strong, vital, and growing denomination, the United Methodist Church is now barely recognizable after more than four decades of demoralization and membership decline. What has gone wrong? In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the American church saw the rise of "theological liberalism," a religious system that intended to respond to new scientific and intellectual currents that were sweeping across the culture. Instead, liberalism not only challenged, but often displaced the substance of the church's doctrine and teaching, accommodating it to the new intellectual milieu of secularism and rationalism. In The Rise of Theological Liberalism and the Decline of American Methodism, James Heidinger discusses the rise of liberalism in America, its anti-supernatural focuses, and the resulting transition in Wesleyan theology. While there are undoubtedly many dimensions to the decline of a denomination, Heidinger suggests we look no further than theological liberalism as the driving force behind the fall of the once-mighty United Methodist Church"--

Taking Heaven by Storm

Taking Heaven by Storm PDF Author: John H. Wigger
Publisher: University of Illinois Press
ISBN: 9780252069949
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 292

Get Book Here

Book Description
In 1770 there were fewer than 1,000 Methodists in America. Fifty years later, the church counted more than 250,000 adherents. Identifying Methodism as America's most significant large-scale popular religious movement of the antebellum period, John H. Wigger reveals what made Methodism so attractive to post-revolutionary America. Taking Heaven by Storm shows how Methodism fed into popular religious enthusiasm as well as the social and economic ambitions of the "middling people on the make"--skilled artisans, shopkeepers, small planters, petty merchants--who constituted its core. Wigger describes how the movement expanded its reach and fostered communal intimacy and "intemperate zeal" by means of an efficient system of itinerant and local preachers, class meetings, love feasts, quarterly meetings, and camp meetings. He also examines the important role of African Americans and women in early American Methodism and explains how the movement's willingness to accept impressions, dreams, and visions as evidence of the work and call of God circumvented conventional assumptions about education, social standing, gender, and race. A pivotal text on the role of religion in American life, Taking Heaven by Storm shows how the enthusiastic, egalitarian, entrepreneurial, lay-oriented spirit of early American Methodism continues to shape popular religion today.

Methodism

Methodism PDF Author: David Hempton
Publisher: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300106149
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 294

Get Book Here

Book Description
Hempton explores the rise of Methodism from its unpromising origins as a religious society within the Church of England in the 1730s to a major international religious movement by the 1880s.

Methodism and the Shaping of American Culture

Methodism and the Shaping of American Culture PDF Author: Nathan O. Hatch
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 360

Get Book Here

Book Description
Collected works on the history of Methodism in America.

The Methodists and Revolutionary America, 1760-1800

The Methodists and Revolutionary America, 1760-1800 PDF Author: Dee Andrews
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 9780691092980
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 388

Get Book Here

Book Description
The Methodists and Revolutionary America is the first in-depth narrative of the origins of American Methodism, one of the most significant popular movements in American history. Placing Methodism's rise in the ideological context of the American Revolution and the complex social setting of the greater Middle Atlantic where it was first introduced, Dee Andrews argues that this new religion provided an alternative to the exclusionary politics of Revolutionary America. With its call to missionary preaching, its enthusiastic revivals, and its prolific religious societies, Methodism competed with republicanism for a place at the center of American culture. Based on rare archival sources and a wealth of Wesleyan literature, this book examines all aspects of the early movement. From Methodism's Wesleyan beginnings to the prominence of women in local societies, the construction of African Methodism, the diverse social profile of Methodist men, and contests over the movement's future, Andrews charts Methodism's metamorphosis from a British missionary organization to a fully Americanized church. Weaving together narrative and analysis, Andrews explains Methodism's extraordinary popular appeal in rich and compelling new detail.

American Methodism

American Methodism PDF Author: Russell E. Richey
Publisher: Abingdon Press
ISBN: 1426742274
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 289

Get Book Here

Book Description


The Heritage of American Methodism

The Heritage of American Methodism PDF Author: Kenneth C. Kinghorn
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 184

Get Book Here

Book Description
The Heritage of American Methodism traces the grand legacy of American Methodism and shows how it became such a leading influence in the life of the nation. The drama of Methodism in America stands out as one of the most fascinating stories in the history of Christianity. This volume highlights the main reasons for this astonishing success and shows how the vitality of the Wesleyan way can be recovered. This illustrated history of American Methodism is presented for non-specialists in a beautifully designed, full-color format. Key Features: - A user-friendly, informative, and spell-binding account showing the impact of inspirational characters resounding today - Outstanding full-color photos and illustrations throughout - Portrays common links within the United Methodist Church and the unfolding drama of each conference - An attractive hardcover, "coffee-table" book Key Benefits: - Readers get the benefit of the history of American Methodism from a well-known expert - Can be used to help leaders prepare for classes on Methodism - An excellent gift for both young people and adults - Helps readers understand the challenges of tomorrow and the applications for the turbulence of life today

Up from Methodism

Up from Methodism PDF Author: Herbert Asbury
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Farmington (Mo.)
Languages : en
Pages : 192

Get Book Here

Book Description


The Supernatural and the Circuit Riders

The Supernatural and the Circuit Riders PDF Author: Rimi Xhemajli
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 172526921X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 346

Get Book Here

Book Description
In The Supernatural and the Circuit Riders, Rimi Xhemajli shows how a small but passionate movement grew and shook the religious world through astonishing signs and wonders. Beginning in the late eighteenth century, early American Methodist preachers, known as circuit riders, were appointed to evangelize the American frontier by presenting an experiential gospel: one that featured extraordinary phenomena that originated from God’s Spirit. In employing this evangelistic strategy of the gospel message fueled by supernatural displays, Methodism rapidly expanded. Despite beginning with only ten official circuit riders in the early 1770s, by the early 1830s, circuit riders had multiplied and caused Methodism to become the largest American denomination of its day. In investigating the significance of the supernatural in the circuit rider ministry, Xhemajli provides a new historical perspective through his eye-opening demonstration of the correlation between the supernatural and the explosive membership growth of early American Methodism, which fueled the Second Great Awakening. In doing so, he also prompts the consideration of the relevance and reproduction of such acts in the American church today.

The Cambridge Companion to American Methodism

The Cambridge Companion to American Methodism PDF Author: Jason E. Vickers
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107008344
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 411

Get Book Here

Book Description
A comprehensive introduction to various forms of American Methodism, exploring the beliefs and practices around which the lives of these churches have revolved.