American Originals: Homemade Varieties of Christianity [Paperback]

Paul K. Conkin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 3, 1997

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

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.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

[U]p to date and useful.

Catholic Historical Review

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

Journal of Church and State

[I]ts greatest value will be found in Conkin•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

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

Library Journal

Product Details

• Paperback: 354 pages
• Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press (September 3, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080784649X
• ISBN-13: 978-0807846490
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #793,084 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #68 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Other Denominations & Sects
  • #70 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Practices > Unitarian Universalism

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Religious scholarship at its best, September 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: American Originals: Homemade Varieties of Christianity (Paperback)

This is a truly outstanding work in American religious history. Conkin delves deep into the historical details surrounding these groups, yet never loses focus of the larger picture and the major themes that make each group distinctive. His chapter on Mormonism is particularly good; no other work sorts out the complicated events and themes of the Latter-day Saints with as much clarity and concision.

Believers should note this is a scholarly work, and deals with questions those inside the faith, in their modes of worship, do not consider. Conkin is very fair with these groups; those unhappy with this work should compare it to the hatchet jobs many professors of religion, or sectarian believers, do to those of other faiths.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating approach to American Christian denominations!, October 27, 1998

By 

Glen L. Loveland (Beijing, China) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: American Originals: Homemade Varieties of Christianity (Hardcover)

I've been waiting for a book like this for a really long time. The book is fact filled, easy to read (for those new to religious concepts & sects) and informative. The author breaks the sects up so that we can better understand the denominations as a whole. The section on Apocalptic Christianity is one of the best. Many members of the sects discussed might be offended as it does point out inaccuracies or missteps within the sect. A great read!!

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars disappointed, August 4, 2010

By 

Jolene (Deep South) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: American Originals: Homemade Varieties of Christianity (Paperback)

Because the author approaches his review from a Church of Christ/Disciples of Christ (Restoration) perspective, I don't think he is in the least objective.

I was disappointed with the book. I was hoping for a review from a Reformed perspective.