For the Union of Evangelical Christendom: The Irony of the Reformed Episcopalians

by Allen C. Guelzo

American Episcopalians have long prided themselves on their love of consensus and their position as the church of American elites. They have, in the process, often forgotten that during the nineteenth century their church was racked by a divisive struggle that threatened to tear apart the very fabric of the Episcopal Church. On one side of this struggle was a powerful and aggressive Evangelical party who hoped to make the Episcopal Church into the democratic head of "the sisterhood of Evangelical Churches" in America; on the other side was the Oxford Movement, equally powerful and aggressive but committed to a range of Romantic principles which celebrated disillusion and disgust with evangelicalism and democracy alike.. The resulting conflict--over theology, liturgy, and, above all, culture--led to the schism of 1873, in which many Evangelicals left the church to form the Reformed Episcopal Church. For the Union of Evangelical Christendom tells this largely forgotten story using the ca

Genres: History, Christian, Theology

Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Allen Carl Guelzo (born 1953) is the Henry R. Luce III Professor of the Civil War Era at Gettysburg College, where he serves as Director of the Civil War Era Studies Program.

Reviews

[Ben Smitthimedhin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent storytelling and history of the REC with disappointing outcomes and missed opportunities. Seems Guelzo is cautioning many against denominational break-offs that end up playing insider baseball and fighting off their own radicals.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good scholarship and a well written book of Church History.

[Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

At one time I had considered seeking to be a minister in the REC. Given their current direction, and the history contained herein, I'm glad I didn't got that way.

[Chris Schutte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly researched narrative of the birth and development of the REC. Much insight on the little-known history of Evangelicals within The Episcopal Church.