American Originals: Homemade Varieties of Christianity

by Paul K. Conkin

Overview

In a work of striking breadth and clarity, Paul Conkin offers an even-handed and in-depth look at the major American-made forms of Christianity--a diverse group of religious traditions, each of which reflects a significant break from western Christian orthodoxy. Identifying six distinctive types, Conkin examines the major denominations representative of each original variety of American Christianity: restoration (Churches of Christ, Disciples of Christ); humanistic (Unitarians, Universalists); apocalyptic (Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses); Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints); spiritual (Christian Science, Unity); and ecstatic (Holiness and Pentecostal denominations). Focusing on the early years and maturation of these groups, he discusses their founders and leaders, origins and Old World roots, and essential doctrines and practices. Conkin closes each chapter with a guide to further reading. The first comprehensive survey of these American originals, this book will serve as a valuable resource on a number of religious traditions whose members not only comprise a significant percentage of the American population but also make up an increasing proportion of Christian converts worldwide.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807860854
Publisher:	The University of North Carolina Press
Publication date:	11/09/2000
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	360
Lexile:	1310L (what's this?)
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Paul K. Conkin is Distinguished Professor of History at Vanderbilt University. His many books include The Uneasy Center: Reformed Christianity in Antebellum America.

Table of Contents

Contents

Preface
1. Restoration Christianity: Christians and Disciples
2. Humanistic Christianity: Unitarians and Universalists
3. Apocalyptic Christianity: Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses
4. Mormon Christianity: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
5. Spiritual Christianity: Christian Science and Unity
6. Ecstatic Christianity: The Holiness and Pentecostal Movements
Afterword
Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

With great skill, Paul Conkin . . . plows this fertile soil of religious novelty in America. . . . His careful 'reading guides' . . . are up to date and useful.—Catholic Historical Review



As the most comprehensive and insightful study of its kind on the market, American Originals should become required reading for students in undergraduate and graduate level classes in American religious history."Journal of Church and State



A volume of great value to anyone wishing to survey those distinctly American contributions to the evolvement of Christian diversity. . . . [This book] will be useful as an initial reference source for the student who seeks basic history and doctrinal exposition relative to any of these 'American Originals,' but its greatest value will be found in Conkin's integrative sweep of the movements and submovements. This is a study that provides far more than just a fact-based encyclopedic approach to religious leaders, theological doctrines, and behavioral variances: it engages the reader in an exploration that is analytically astute and thought provocative.—Georgia Historical Quarterly



This thoroughly excellent book explains so much about the foundations of our religious thinking and behavior that Americans ought to read it, not only for its profound insight into our common historical experience, but also for its enthusiasm, lucidity, and wit.—Seventeenth-Century News



A well-conceived work, suitable for reference or classroom use.—Choice



Helpful for all readers who need a nonbiased account on these groups that are sometimes misrepresented in the public arena.—Library Journal



American Originals sheds light on the background, origins, development, and distinctive theological views of the most successful 'new religious movements' in the United States derived from Christianity. Conkin's judgements are informed, incisive, independent, and at times intellectually provocative—a valuable reminder of the innovative contributions coming from the religious margins in America.—Stephen J. Stein, Indiana University



The incomparable Paul Conkin has provided us, once again, with an authoritative, analytically sophisticated, highly personal interpretation of a broad swath of American religious history. Anyone even remotely interested in the subject should read this volume, especially those with a taste for theology and definitional precision. This is a model of democratic intellectual history that takes seriously the ideas and practices of the common people as well as the elite.—John B. Boles, Rice University

Editorial Reviews

The author (history, Vanderbilt Univ.) offers a history of the largest and most influential new or original forms of Christianity in the United States. He divides these by chronological cluster, defining the forms as restoration (Christian & Disciples), humanistic (Unitarians & Universalists), apocalyptic (Adventists & Jehovah Witnesses), Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints), spiritual (Christian Science & Unity), and ecstatic (Holiness & Pentecostal Movements). In dealing with these distinctive types of Christianity, Conkin highlights new departures in basic doctrines and in practices. Respective chapters have been reviewed by Adventist, Restoration, and Mormon scholars, though Conkin is careful to point out that none fully agrees with his interpretations. Each chapter ends with a reading guide. Helpful for all readers who need a nonbiased account on these groups that are sometimes misrepresented in the public arena.Leroy Hommerding, Citrus Cty. Lib. System, Inverness, Fla.

Library Journal

[I]ts greatest value will be found in Conkin s integrative sweep of the movements and submovements.

"Georgia Historical Quarterly"

[I]ts greatest value will be found in Conkin 's integrative sweep of the movements and submovements.

"Georgia Historical Quarterly"

[I]ts greatest value will be found in Conkin_s integrative sweep of the movements and submovements.

"Georgia Historical Quarterly"

[I]ts greatest value will be found in Conkina[s integrative sweep of the movements and submovements.

"Georgia Historical Quarterly"

[E]xplains so much about the foundations of our religious thinking and behavior that Americans ought to read it.

"Seventeenth-Century News"

[I]ts greatest value will be found in Conkins integrative sweep of the movements and submovements.

"Georgia Historical Quarterly"

[T]he most comprehensive and insightful study of its kind on the market.

"Journal of Church and State"

Helpful for all readers who need a nonbiased account on these groups that are sometimes misrepresented in the public arena.

"Library Journal"

ÝE¨xplains so much about the foundations of our religious thinking and behavior that Americans ought to read it.

"Seventeenth-Century News"

ÝI¨ts greatest value will be found in Conkins integrative sweep of the movements and submovements.

"Georgia Historical Quarterly"

ÝT¨he most comprehensive and insightful study of its kind on the market.

"Journal of Church and State"

ÝU¨p to date and useful.

"Catholic Historical Review"

[I]ts greatest value will be found in ConkinUs integrative sweep of the movements and submovements.

"Georgia Historical Quarterly"

[U]p to date and useful.

"Catholic Historical Review"

From the Publisher