The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement [Hardcover]

Douglas A. Foster (Author), Paul M. Blowers (Author), Anthony L. Dunnavant (Author), D. Newell Williams (Editor) (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2005

With roots in British and American endeavors to restore apostolic Christianity, the Stone-Campbell Movement drew its inspiration from the independent efforts of nineteenth-century religious reformers Barton W. Stone and the father-son team of Thomas and Alexander Campbell. The union of these two movements in the 1830s and the growth of the new body thrust it into a place of significance in early nineteenth-century America, and it quickly spread to other parts of the English-speaking world. From its beginnings the Movement has developed into one of the most vital and diverse Christian traditions in the world. Today it encompasses three major American communions - Churches of Christ, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and Christian Churches/Churches of Christ - as well as united churches in several other countries. Over ten years in the making, The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement offers for the first time a sweeping historical and theological treatment of this complex, vibrant global communion. Written by more than 300 contributors, this major reference work contains over 700 original articles covering all of the significant individuals, events, places, and theological tenets that have shaped the Movement. Much more than simply a historical dictionary, this volume also constitutes an interpretive work reflecting historical consensus among Stone-Campbell scholars, even as it attempts to present a fair, representative picture of the rich heritage that is the Stone-Campbell Movement. Scores of photographs and illustrations (many quite rare) enrich and enliven the text, and an extensive, carefully prepared index facilitates ready access to important information throughout the volume. The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement - a standard reference work for religious, academic, public, and personal libraries everywhere. Features of this encyclopedia: 1) Presents over 700 articles on the people, events, churches, and beliefs that comprise the Stone-Campbell tradition 2)Provides cutting-edge commentary on current topics of discussion as well as basic historical knowledge 3) Written by more than 300 scholars from across the Stone-Campbell Movement 4) Enlivened with photographs and illustrations (some quite rare) from around the world 5) Includes an extensive index for rapid reference

Product Details

• Hardcover: 854 pages
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (January 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802838987
• ISBN-13: 978-0802838988
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.5 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #577,634 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Welcome Addition to Stone-Campbell Studies, March 6, 2005

By 

Lee Freeman "lfreeman_histgen" (Florence, Al United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement (Hardcover)

The Churches of Christ, Christian Church and Disciples of Christ, ironically enough, all trace their origins back to the nineteenth century Christian reform and unity movement led by former Presbyterians Barton Warren Stone and the father and son team Thomas and Alexander Campbell. Known as the Stone-Campbell Movement, this tradition has a long and vaunted history, not just in the US, but around the world.

At last, a comprehensive, well-written, and readable encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Reformation is available. Long needed, this volume more than adequately meets its goal. The volume is edited by well-known, respected scholars of all three of the major branches of the Movement and written by scholars from within each of the segments, and contains a wealth of material on people, places and subjects relating to the Stone-Campbell Reformation.

Among the subjects, places and people treated are: Alexander and Thomas Campbell, Barton Stone, TB Larimore, FD Kershner, Moses Lard, Daniel Sommer, FD Srygley, Marshal Keeble, KC Moser; Silena Moore Holman; Foy Wallace, Jr.; RN Hogan; Caroline Neveille Pearre; a historical time-line for all three branches of the Movement; the historical attitudes towards restoration in the three branches of the Movement; historical attitudes toward women in the ministry among the three branches; women ministers such as Mary Stodgill and Jessie Colman Monser; attitudes on abortion and women's rights; attitudes on gay/lesbian rights in the Movement; Rice Haggard's influence on the Movement; the Scottish Haldanes and their influence on the thought of Campbell; the International Churches of Christ (Boston); the views on higher education among the three branches; colleges and universities of all three branches; founders of splinter movements and heresies such as Jesse Ferguson and John Thomas; the Movement's attitudes towards Shakers and Mormons; the Movemrent's attitude towards slavery and civil rights; Latino Disciples of Christ; missionary societies; Campbellian and Stoneite communion theology and eschatology; the Declaration and Address; the Stone-Campbell Movement in Great Britain, Russia, Australia and Canada; Hall L. Calhoun; David Oliphant; the Cane Ridge Revial's influence on Barton Stone; publishing houses of the three branches of the Movement; brotherhhod periodicals in the three branches; historical attitudes to missions and a history of missions; the movement's historical attitude towards creeds and confessions; devotional literature; Don DeWelt; etc.

In short, the volume contains articles on practically every facet of the churches comprising the Stone-Campbell Movement.

There are however, some seemingly glaring omissions; for example, from the Church of Christ branch alone one does not find articles on JN Armstrong; Yater Tant; the American Bible Union; or Thomas B. Warren and the Spiritual Sword. One choice made by the editors was to restrict articles only to deceased persons in order to avoid any kind of controversy. The reviewer is aware, however, that editorial choices must be made and are often difficult. Omissions are simply unavoidable.

Among other things, this volume adequately succeeds in pointing out just how diverse the traditions and churches comprising the Stone-Campbell Movement truly are.

All-in-all, the volume is a must-read for serious students of the Stone-Campbell Movement and mainstream American Protestantism in general. Eerdmans is to be commended for publishing such a work, and the editors and contributors commended for their herculean efforts at producing it. It should long serve its goal.

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must-have reference--Disciples of Christ, Ch of Christ, March 5, 2005

By 

Ed Coble (Fort Worth, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement (Hardcover)

Unique, thorough, and well-written reference by distinguished scholars among Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Churches of Christ, and Christian Churches/Independent. Edited by three scholars, each of whom represents one of the groups--but edited collaboratively. Thumb-throughable, easy to read. Includes not just the obvious--places, people, institutions--but also well-written entries on beliefs, biblical interpretation, history. A great resource for anyone interested in the beliefs, polity, and history of the three branches of the Stone-Campbell movement.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Massive Volume on the Restoration Movement, April 14, 2006

By 

Roy Ingle "The Seeking Disciple" (Lexington, SC) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement (Hardcover)

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE STONE-CAMPBELL MOVEMENT is a massive volume on the people, events, theology, and churches involved in the Restoration Movement. The work covers nearly every facet of the movement from the beginnings with Alexander Campbell and Barton Stone to the various sects in the Restoration Movement such as the United Church of Christ, the mainline Churches of Christ, the International Churches of Christ, the Disciples of Christ, and many more.

This work is an encyclopedia and thus is a reference book than a book you would enjoy reading from cover to cover in your bed at night. However, I found the articles to be interesting. Each subject is in its alphebetical order and I found the bibliography to be very helpful indeed. The writers are fair and balanced on each subject written. There were a few flaws I found with the work in that it couldn't cover every person I felt they could have nonetheless the authors are to be commended for their labours.

Overall this is a solid work. Those interested in reading on the Restoration Movement as a whole or simply want to know where the Movement stands on various theological issues will find this book very helpful. A good read for disciples of Christ.