Church History: The Presbyterian Tradition

In this volume, a distinguished scholar and theologian has undertaken an inductive study of theological issues in one of the major denominations, the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.

Longfield explores a bitter theological controversy that wracked the Presbyterian Church in the 1920s and 30s. By examining the lives and thought of six of the major protagonists he seeks to provide a fuller understanding of the religious and cultural issues in the struggle.

This is the Korean translation of a bestselling Presbyterian resource. Presbyterians often have questions about Presbyterian theology and beliefs that are basic to Christian faith itself. Featuring a unique question-and-answer format, Presbyterian Questions, Presbyterian Answers is an accessible and concise treatment that provides a sampling of these questions on important topics and brief but complete answers from a distinguished Presbyterian theologian. Fully updated for the changes to the Presbyterian new Form of Government, this revised edition also includes updated entries and six new questions and answers. Arranged according to doctrinal topics, the book is ideal for individual and group study, church officer training, new member and confirmation classes, and all those who are interested in Presbyterian theology.

"Confirmation is one of the most widespread practices in the contemporary church, although much confusion exists about its relationship to faith: Is confirmation a rite of passage? Is it just one step on an unfolding journey of faith? Are new privileges granted and additional responsibilities required of confirmands? Christian educator Richard Robert Osmer addresses these questions as he examines the theological significance of confirmation. Osmer surveys early church practices of confirmation and offers a comprehensive discussion of the particularities of the Protestant experience of confirmation, including Presbyterian, Episcopal, Lutheran, and Methodist practices. He discovers a need for a renewed understanding of confirmation in today's church. He proposes a two-step process of confirmation that would address the unique concerns and understandings of those involved at two distinct and significant developmental transitions: from youth to adolescence and from adolescence to adulthood."--BOOK JACKET. Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Focusing on the heated ideological struggles that occurred within the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., during the late 1800s and early 1900s, this book offers a compelling and original explanation of how diverse viewpoints can be accommodated within a religious institution. The Presbyterian example, William J. Weston argues, shows clearly that competition is the only effective kind of pluralism for a church - one that leads neither to institutional paralysis nor to irreconcilable division. Much of the current literature in the sociology of religion sees intradenominational conflict in terms of culture wars between two great factions or parties. However, in the competition model that Weston posits in this book, it is actually a third party - the loyalist center - that holds the power and that ultimately determines the outcome of the struggle. Essential reading for sociologists and historians of religion, Presbyterian Pluralism reaches important conclusions that will engage anyone concerned with conflict inside organizational structures and how it might be contained.

Presbyterians often have questions about Presbyterian theology and beliefs that are basic to Christian faith itself. Featuring a unique question-and-answer format, Presbyterian Questions, Presbyterian Answers is an accessible and concise treatment that provides a sampling of these questions on important topics and brief but complete answers from a distinguished Presbyterian theologians. Arranged according to doctrinal topics, the book is ideal for individual and group study, church officer training, new member and confirmation classes, and all those who are interested in Presbyterian theology.