The Uneasy Center: Reformed Christianity in Antebellum America - Softcover

Conkin, Paul K.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0807844926 ISBN 13: 9780807844922

Publisher: University of North Carolina Press, 1995

Synopsis

Distinguished intellectual historian Paul Conkin offers the first comprehensive examination of mainline Protestantism in America, from its emergence in the colonial era to its rise to predominance in the early nineteenth century and the beginnings of its gradual decline in the years preceding the Civil War. He clarifies theological traditions and doctrinal arguments and includes substantive discussions of institutional development and of the order and content of worship. Conkin defines Reformed Christianity broadly, to encompass Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Congregationalists, Methodists, Calvinist Baptists, and all other denominations originating in the work of reformers other than Luther. He portrays growing unease and conflict within this center of American Protestantism before the Civil War as a result of doctrinal disputes (especially regarding salvation), scholarly and scientific challenges to evangelical Christianity, differences in institutional practices, and sectional disagreements related to the issue of slavery. Conkin grounds his study in a broad history of Western Christianity, and he integrates the South into his discussion, thereby offering a truly national perspective on the history of the Reformed tradition in America.

About this title

Review:

"Clear, balanced and richly informative.

"Christian Century""

The book is remarkably lucid and learned. It will influence us for a long time.

"Church History"

A masterly synthetic work that should be required for students of American cultural history.

"Journal of American History"

Conkin . . . has set a standard of clarity and insight which it would behoove all American religious historians to emulate.

"Reviews in American History"

Clear, balanced and richly informative.

"Christian Century"

From the Back Cover:

Distinguished intellectual historian Paul Conkin offers the first comprehensive examination of mainline Protestantism in America, from its emergence in the colonial era to its rise to predominance in the early nineteenth century and the beginnings of its gradual decline in the years preceding the Civil War. He clarifies theological traditions and doctrinal arguments and includes substantive discussions of institutional development and of the order and content of worship.

About this edition

• Publisher: University of North Carolina Press
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0807844926
• ISBN 13: 9780807844922
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 346