The Life of Prayer in a World of Science: Protestants, Prayer, and American Culture, 1870-1930 (Religion in America) - Hardcover

Ostrander, Rick

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0195136101 ISBN 13: 9780195136104

Publisher: OUP USA, 2000

Synopsis

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Christians carried on an intense debate concerning the doctrine of prayer. This ideological revolution affected not only the ways that they interpreted the Bible but also how they prayed. In this book, Rick Ostrander explores the attempts of American Christians to articulate a convincing and satisfying ethic of prayer amidst these changing circumstances.

About this title

Review

This book raises important questions about the religious life of American Protestants. Even those who may not agree with all of Ostrander's answers will applaud that the questions are being asked. (American Historical Review)

This carefully researched study offers a fascinating window into how late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century liberal Protestants attempted to meet the challenge that modernity posed for traditional Christian beliefs and practices. Ostrander makes an excellent contribution to the history of liberal Protestantism as well as the history of the theology and practice of prayer. (Journal of Ecclesiastical History)

While historians have explored Protestant attempts to meet the intellectual challenge of biblical criticism and Darwinism as well as the cultural challenges of industrialism, the history of prayer - probably the most common daily practice among Christians - has been overlooked. Rick Ostrander remedies this omission. (Journal of Ecclesiastical History)

... absorbing ... this is a valuable study of an important issue, of interest well beyond its particular subject area. (Theology)

Edition details

• Publisher: OUP USA
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0195136101
• ISBN 13: 9780195136104
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 248