Believers' Churches have their origin in the Radical Reformation of the sixteenth century. Over the past 450 years the movement has included the Brethren, Mennonites, Hutterites, various types of Baptists, and the Restoration Movement. While never a unified denominational structure, the Believers' Churches together have been characterized by a strong personal faith in Christ, a call to discipleship and Christian activism, a high view of the authority of Scripture, and profession of faith in believers' baptism. The Believers' Churches have represented their beliefs in various ecumenical settings, missionary gatherings, and theological conversations. In the late 1950s, representatives of the several Believers' Churches began to meet in a series of conferences to explore their common views on doctrine, history, and ethics. Topics at the conferences have included baptism, Lord's Supper, the nature of the church, and religious voluntarism. In 2016, the 17th Believers' Church Conference was held at Acadia University and sponsored by Acadia Divinity College. The theme was 'The Tendency Toward Separationism Among the Believers' Churches', a key recurring characteristic. This volume includes the papers presented at the conference and examines the theme from an immediate post-Reformation perspective, including Baptists, Black Baptists, Restorationists (including the Churches of Christ), the Hutterites, Pentecostals, the role of women, and significantly, the separationist tendency as it occurs in New Religious Movements. Typologies and analyses are provided by leading historians, theologians, and social science specialists.

This collection of essays is written in memory of Roger H. Prentice (1943-2022). Prentice was born in New Brunswick and brought up in Halifax, Nova Scotia. A Dalhousie University graduate, he also graduated from Acadia University and then served as a pastor at Amherst, Nova Scotia and St. Stephen, New Brunswick. In 1979, Prentice began his studies in Baptist History at Oxford University under the direction of the late Dr. B.R. White at Regent's Park College. Upon his return in 1983, he became a minister at Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. In 1985, Prentice became dean of the Manning Memorial Chapel and served as University Chaplain at Acadia University until he retired in 2007. Throughout his ministry, Prentice had a unique way of combining preaching, leading worship, and pastoral counseling together with involvement in his local community. A pastor, author, wise guide, and friend to many, in retirement he served on numerous boards and committees including the Acadia University Senate. Prentice's service within the church, particularly among Maritime Baptists, and in the wider community, was recognized when he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Acadia University, the Queen's Jubilee Medal, and the Canadian Senate's Sesquicentennial Medal. Recognizing his faithful work and witness over many years, this memorial volume brings together a variety of essays and reflections on themes including: Baptist theology and identity, spirituality, chaplaincy and ministry, worship and the arts, and engagement with the wider world.

There are several eras in the history of Christianity radical forms of the tradition are obvious: the early church of the first five centuries, the medieval era, the age of reform, the early modern era, and the contemporary era. Radical Christian activity and experience may reflect either a primary or a derived level of spirituality. New converts may join a sect or movement with radical characteristics; or they may become dissatisfied with their initial Christian experiences and desire a different or deeper Christian spirituality, usually closely parallel to that seen in the New Testament. The Historical Dictionary of Radical Christianity covers the history of this movement and includes an introductory essay and a bibliography. The dictionary section has over 400 cross-referenced entries. The dictionary entries selected reflect the leading groups, movements, and sects from each major era of Christian history. Especially in the contemporary period, the great proliferation of radical thinkers and groups has necessitated a selection process with those selected exhibiting sustained group activity, possessing an identifiable following, and demonstrating a significant cultural impact. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Radical Christianity.

With 110 million members worldwide, Baptists are surpassed only by Roman Catholic and Orthodox groups as the largest segment of Christians. The term "Baptist" has its origins with the Anabaptists, the denomination historically linked to the English Separatist movement of the 16th century. Although Baptist churches are located throughout the world, the largest group of Baptists lives in the Southern United States, and the Baptist faith has historically exerted a powerful influence in that region of the country. The A to Z of the Baptists relates the history of the Baptist Church through a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries on important events, doctrines, and the church founders, leaders, and other prominent figures who have made notable contributions. This volume commemorates the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Baptist movement in 1609.

This is an introduction to the study of Christian foundations, scripture, community, religious values, theology, ethics and much more. Part of the "Studying World Religions" series, this is an essential guide to the study of Christianity. Clearly structured to cover all the major areas of study, including chapters on how Christianity has been studied, foundations and scripture, community and structure, religious values, theology, and ethics, rituals and spirituality, aesthetics, and the teleological nature of Christianity, this is the ideal study aid for those approaching Christianity for the first time. Rather than attempting to cover all the material, the critical and methodological issues that students need to grasp in the study of Christianity - and religion in general - are drawn out, and the major contemporary debates explored. Readers are offered the chance to engage with this religious tradition as a diverse, living phenomenon. With helpful suggestions for further study, pointing students towards material such as primary sources (scriptures), films and novels and including ideas for teaching, discussion topics and exercises, "Studying Christianity" is the perfect companion for the fledgling student of Christianity. A series of introductory guides, books in the "Studying World Religions" series are designed as study aids for those approaching the world's religions for the first time.

This detailed book is a resource for students, practitioners, and leaders interested in how the major world religions have understood poverty and responded to the poor. Poverty is a universal phenomenon across history, regardless of country or culture. Today, the demographics of the poor are on the rise globally: it is a critical issue. Religious traditions are another universal aspect of human societies, and nearly all religions include directives on how to respond to the poor and systemic poverty. How do the various religious traditions conceptualize poverty, and what do they view as the proper response to the poor? Poverty and the Poor in the World's Religious Traditions: Religious Responses to the Problem of Poverty brings together specialists on the religions of the world and their diverse viewpoints to identify how different religious traditions interact with poverty and being poor. It also contains excerpts of religious texts that readers can use as primary documents to illustrate themes such as identifying the poor, religious reasons for being poor, and responses (like charity and development) to the existence of poverty. This book serves as a powerful resource for students of subjects like international development, missiology, comparative religion, theology, social ethics, economics, and organizational leadership as well as for any socially concerned clergy of various faiths.

Walter Rauschenbusch's thought made an indelible and enduring impact on the Christian world and beyond. Scores of books and hundreds of articles have rediscovered the implications of his work in church history, ethics, politics, gender studies, international relations, German American cross culturalism, Christian spirituality, Baptist religious identity, and the Liberal and evangelical theological perspectives. His writings made an immediate impact upon publication, and have been reprinted over the years since by many different disciples. A roster of distinguished and younger scholars plumbed the depths of Rauschenbusch's impact on the Christian Tradition. Rauschenbusch biographers Gary Dorrien and Christopher Evans assess Walter's place in the course of American religious thought, particularly the Liberal tradition. A second group of papers is devoted to the extent of the Rauschenbusch legacy and includes writers Andrea Strubind (the German context), Adam Bond (Samuel D. Proctor as a disciple of the Black Social Gospel), Roger Prentice (the Canadian Context), and Chakravarthy Zadda (the Telugu mission context in India). A third cluster features specific aspects of the Rauschenbusch legacy: Wendy Deichmann (gender and the family); Darryl Trimiew (the Black Church); Dominik Gautier (postcolonial reflection by a European); and Christina Littlefield (Rauschenbusch as a Muckraker). Gathered under the heading of ""The Largeness of the Rauschenbusch Legacy"" are essays by Heath Carter (Rauschenbusch's place in history); David Gushee (an analysis of Rauschenbusch's Kingdom ethic); and William Brackney (Rauschenbusch's contribution to Baptist life and thought). Of particular interest is the personal reflection by Paul B. Raushenbush, great grandson of Walter.

Baptists are a major group of Christians with a worldwide presence. Originating in the English Puritan-Separatist tradition of the 17th century, Baptists proliferated in North America, and through missionary work from England, Europe, and North America, they have established churches, associations, unions, missions, and alliances in virtually every country. They are among the most highly motivated evangelists of the Christian gospel, employing at present in excess of 7,000 domestic and overseas missionaries. Important characteristics of the Baptists across their history are: the authority of the Scriptures, individual accountability before God, the priority of religious experience, religious liberty, separation of church and state, congregational independence, and a concern for the social implications of the gospel. Baptists recognize a twofold ministry (deacons and pastors) or a threefold order (deacons, elders, pastors). Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Third Edition expands upon the second edition with an updated chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries on important events, doctrines, and the church founders, leaders, and other prominent figures who have made notable contributions.

Based on the celebrated five-volume set published in 2005, this updated one-volume edition offers readers a concise yet complete understanding of the interplay between the major religions and human rights. In a world where religious beliefs have become inseparable from the events of the day, ranging from the ongoing strife in the Middle East to cases of sexual abuse by clergy and controversy over circumcision laws in Europe, this is an invaluable work. It offers readers a comprehensive examination of the way the world's five major faiths-Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism-view and have viewed human rights from ancient times to the present. An overview of each tradition is provided, followed by chapters that show how human rights have been shaped and understood in the tradition from the earliest textual evidence to the contemporary era. Considering the differences among religious traditions globally, the book shows how each faith advanced the cause of human rights in unique ways. Contributors track the development of ideas, opinions, and issues, documenting both the advancement and violation of human rights in the name of religion. Demonstrating that human rights discourse cannot be divorced from religious history and experience, the book covers such issues as the right to life, the rights of women, punishment for crimes, war and peace, slavery, and violence.

A unique blending of historical analysis and bibliographic data, this volume examines the course of the voluntary association for religious purposes and analyzes the prominent primary and secondary literature in the field of voluntarism. In addition, hundreds of voluntary associations prior to 1900 in Britain, the United States, Canada, and elsewhere are listed. A reference tool for students and scholars in Western Christian thought and history, over 900 resources are classified by general, denominational, racial, and gender categories and are annotated. The first part of the volume examines the roots of voluntary thought in the Christian tradition and provides an overview of the evolution of voluntary Christian endeavor in Britain and North America. Of particular significance is the connection between churchly voluntary associations and the evangelical experience of the 19th century. Individual voluntary relationships and groups are an integral part of human socialization. This is the first bibliography and overview of individuals joining together under the banner of Christianity in order to satisfy this deep human need.

A brief, narrative survey of the Baptists in North America over the last three and a half centuries, from their roots in Europe to their present manifestations in contemporary America and the world. The six chapters are organized around five distinctives historically important to Baptists: the Bible, the Church, the ordinances/sacraments, voluntarism, and religious liberty. Concluding with a Chronology and extensive Bibliographic Essay, this is an ideal text for courses in Church History, North American Religious History, or American social and cultural history.

"A comprehensive reference highly recommended for academic and large public libraries." Library Journal

Walter Rauschenbusch is credited by many interpreters as the fountainhead of the social gospel in America. An American Baptist minister of German heritage, Rauschenbusch was the "prophet" of a movement that created a watershed in American religious thought. A theological educator, social activist, and church historian, Rauschenbusch is continually revisited a century after his death. This three-volume set makes available the original texts of a seminal thinker in an authorized and critical edition. Volume I contains reproductions of the original texts of the first "great book" of Walter Rauschenbusch, Christianity and the Social Crisis (1907), plus another popular work, For God and the People: Prayers for the Social Awakening (1910). Historical theologian William H. Brackney, who was curator of the Rauschenbusch Papers in the American Baptist Historical Society at a time when much new material was being added to the collection, provides an historical introduction to Rauschenbusch's life, taking into account a wide variety of primary and secondary sources, plus recent interpretations of Rauschenbusch's work. Also included are shorter works, The New Evangelism, Samuel Zane Batten's defining tract, The Kingdom of God, Rauschenbusch's last literary works, select Rauschenbusch correspondence, and a hymn written in his honor.

Part of the "Studying World Religions" series, this is an essential guide to the study of Christianity. Clearly structured to cover all the major areas of study, including chapters on how Christianity has been studied, foundations and scripture, community and structure, religious values, theology, and ethics, rituals and spirituality, aesthetics, and the teleological nature of Christianity, this is the ideal study aid for those approaching Christianity for the first time. Rather than attempting to cover all the material, the critical and methodological issues that students need to grasp in the study of Christianity - and religion in general - are drawn out, and the major contemporary debates explored. Readers are offered the chance to engage with this religious tradition as a diverse, living phenomenon. With helpful suggestions for further study, pointing students towards material such as primary sources (scriptures), films and novels and including ideas for teaching, discussion topics and exercises, "Studying Christianity" is the perfect companion for the fledgling student of Christianity. A series of introductory guides, books in the "Studying World Religions" series are designed as study aids for those approaching the world's religions for the first time.