Studies In Modern Church History

This is the SCM Core Text: "Modern Church History" provides an introduction to global Christianity from 1700 to the mid 20th C. The book aims to help students understand the processes, movements and individuals who have contributed to making the contemporary Christian landscape the shape it is in the 21st century. Theologically it takes a wide and inclusive approach to provide a balanced survey of Christianity in all its forms - Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox. Geographically it focuses on the Christian church in the UK, continental Europe and North America, and examines in each location the social movements, campaigns and campaigners, scientific and political challenges that have shaped the Christian Church throughout the period.Beginning with the reaction to Lutherism, it charts the rise of Pietism in Europe throughout the late 17th and early 18th centuries, the influence of John Wesley and the Methodists, in the UK and the 'Great Awakening' in North America. The early chapters summarize the developments within the Christian Church in the UK, with detailed coverage of the English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish situations, throughout the 19th Century. This is followed by a summary of the various schools of thought to have developed through the 20th C, including the church's reaction to the 2 world wars in Europe, fundamentalism in the USA. The book also provides specific coverage of the religious situation in North America throughout the modern period covering the development of separate black churches, the 'New Evangelicalism'. It is suitable for level two as well as introductory courses in modern church history or courses concerned with religion, culture and society in the 18th - 20th centuries

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1887 edition. Excerpt: ... IX. DENOMIFATIONALISM. The denomination is a very commonplace and familiar fact to us of the present age. So much so that to many persons it does not seem to occur to make it a subject for special consideration. Occasionally we find it ajluded to in a way of reproach or objection. The Roman polemic, perhaps, cites it as proof of the discreditable and damaging divisions of Protestantism. The skeptic takes occasion from it, possibly, to urge that if there were anything in Christianity those who hold to it would find some way to agree better amongst themselves. The current phraseology often makes denominationalism and sectarianism interchangeable terms, and condemns both in one. Even members of the different denominations themselves, and ministers sometimes, seem, from the tone of their allusions to this subject, to admit what the critics thus charge; although it does not appear that their censure, or their criticism, like charity, "begins at home." How far is this view of the matter just? How far might facts in the history of this feature of our modern Christianity, and some study of the thing itself, qualify, or even correct these views of the Christian denomination as we find it to-day? In defining the denomination, we must The Denomination distinguish it in a certain way from state Denned., ?, .. J. establishments. The distinction cannot be carried out fully, because in some cases, as in the French Protestant societies, the two f onus of Christian organism may be said to shade into each other. Yet in the main the distinction is a just one. A voluntary principle is implied in the denomination which can of necessity have no place in religions established by law. Then, we are to distinguish between what we mean by a denomination and...

With all the pressing demands of modern ministry, why make time to learn church history? Is it relevant to worship and ministry today? Pastor Dayton Hartman argues that church history is not old news, but a vital component of a healthy ministry. In Church History for Modern Ministry, Hartman explores the importance of church history and shows how an understanding of our past can help us address contemporary issues. The faithfulness, discipleship, and perseverance of the early church can help today's church stand firm in times of change. "Hartman gives us an enjoyable, readable, and trustworthy book in Church History for Modern Ministry that helps us see the theological and ministerial value of studying our history. If you're a pastor, you need to know church history--not just for doctrinal clarity and sermon illustrations, but also for your own spiritual nourishment. I will be pointing pastors and aspiring pastors to this book for years to come." --Tony Merida, founding pastor, Imago Dei Church, Raleigh, NC For many evangelicals, church history jumps from the book of Acts, has a brief stopover in the Protestant Reformation, and picks up in the present day. In Church History for Modern Ministry, Hartman corrects our dangerous a-historical view by mining the rich history of our faith. I'll be recommending this to pastors and parishioners alike. It's a great way for them to meet the family they never knew they had! --Drew Dyck, managing editor, Leadership Journal; author, Yawning at Tigers: You Can't Tame God, So Stop Trying It seems to me that 95 percent of the stupid things we do as pastors could be avoided if we knew a little church history. I am very happy that Dayton Hartman has written this book. As both a practicing pastor and a practicing church historian, he is well poised to bring the insights of our forefathers to bear on the day-to-day issues that confront church leaders. That Church History for Modern Ministry is both short and snarky is an added bonus! --Mike McKinley, author; contributor and speaker, 9Marks; senior pastor, Sterling Park Baptist Church (Sterling, VA) In this helpful book Hartman shows pastors why we should appreciate church history. Every generation of Christians and pastors stands on the shoulders of those who have gone before. The lessons that God taught our forebears can be very useful for ministry today. Hartman helps us see how this is so, and also provides practical suggestions for introducing historical insights into congregational life. I recommend this book for pastors as well as other church leaders. --Tom Ascol, PhD; executive director, Founders Ministries Christians in America today--especially evangelicals--suffer from a damaging lack of connection to the 'cloud of witnesses' who have preceded us in Christian history. I am happy to commend Dr. Dayton Hartman's readable introduction to church history for pastors, who will surely be the key players in teaching Christians about the riches of the church's past. --Thomas S. Kidd, PhD; professor of history, Baylor University Over the past decade, I have taught church history to over a thousand seminarians and college students. Many of them have raised questions about whether or not church history is really useful for pastors and other ministers. While I make regular pastoral application in the classroom, I have yet to find a good book to point students to that weds church history and practical ministry. I'm grateful that pastor-historian Dayton Hartman has written this book--it fills an important gap and answers many of the questions my students are asking. I hopeChurch History for Modern Ministry is widely read and leads more pastors and other ministry leaders to mine the depths of Christian history for contemporary spiritual flourishing. --Nathan Finn, PhD; dean of the School of Theology and Missions, Union University All pastors and Christian teachers can greatly benefit from a solid knowledge of church history. And the best place to start is with Dayton Hartman's book Church History for Modern Ministry. This helpful book presents the key content of church history in a clear, concise, and careful manner. Yet the book is also distinct in reflecting careful theological ideas in a readable and sometimes humorous way. I endorse this book and its author to all readers. --Kenneth R. Samples, senior research scholar, Reasons to Believe Church History for Modern Ministry is a lighthearted yet serious look into the value of Christian history for contemporary ministry. Knowing the past helps ministers respond to future events with practical wisdom and theological depth. Hartman frames historical and theological developments with the expertise of a historian and the disposition of a pastor while introducing us to saints of old along the way. --Walter Strickland II, special advisor to the president for diversity, instructor of theology, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Cloaked in skinny jeans, coiffed with a faux-hawk and possessed by a sense of humor and engaging style, Dayton Hartman invites his tribe (pastors) to visit the foreign country that is the church's past. An able guide, Hartman gives an introductory tour that will surely inspire his group to visit again and again and to appreciate, value, and dialogue with church history as they press on to lead the people of God today. --Edward L. Smither, PhD; dean of the College of Intercultural Studies, Columbia International University; author of Augustine as Mentor This book is like most of my favorite books: short, enjoyable, and surprisingly practical! Hartman has provided an easy-to-read primer on the need and relevance of church history for our modern-day ministry. This book is anything but dry, and Hartman writes in a way that is relatable, refreshingly accessible, and immediately helpful. I was challenged by my own distance from the church of the past and encouraged to close that gap as a result of this work. Read it, enjoy it, and put these exhortations to use for the glory of God and the good of His church! --Brian Davis, hip-hop artist (God's Servant), Lamp Mode Recordings; pastor/church planter, Risen Christ Fellowship (Philadelphia, PA)

An introduction to the study of the ways the church has evolved in its corporate life since its birth in the first century. Special attention is given to studying its changing relationship and interaction with the surrounding societies in which it has existed. The intended readership will be those training for ministry in English speaking churches, so the studyguide will concentrate on those aspects of this subject of most relevance to this group. This means there will be greater attention to developments in the West than in the East, especially in later centuries, and to topics such as the nature of ministry, the sacraments, places of worship, authority in the church and mission. These will be examined at each period of church history, in each chapter, to provide reference points of comparison throughout the book. Each chapter will also contain a specific case study, presenting extracts of some key documents with notes, commentary and questions for discussion, to allow readers to develop skills in historical research. General discussion questions and reading lists will be provided at the end of each chapter. The final chapter will provide guidance for the study of the history of the student's own church and community.

In their acclaimed, much-used Church History, James Bradley and Richard Muller lay out guidelines, methods, and basic reference tools for research and writing in the fields of church history and historical theology. Over the years, this book has helped countless students define their topics, locate relevant source materials, and write quality papers. This revised, expanded, and updated second edition includes discussion of Internet-based research, digitized texts, and the electronic forms of research tools. The greatly enlarged bibliography of study aids now includes many significant new resources that have become available since the first edition's publication in 1995. Accessible and clear, this introduction will continue to benefit both students and experienced scholars in the field.

In these studies, Alec Cheyne explores the history of the churches of Scotland since the Reformation.Professor Cheyne looks especially at the leaders: among them Robert Rollock, Robert Leighton, William Carstares, Thomas Chalmers, John Tulloch, John Caird, Henry Drummond, John Baillie and Donald Baillie. He illuminates just how much change and diversity in thought, worship, government and culture these four hundred years have witnessed in the churches - far greater than has traditionally been supposed. He also describes the importance of the constant interaction between ecclesiastical and academic affairs, and the very wide influence of the churches on Scottish life as a whole.A significant work of Scottish history and reference.