Overview

This valuable contribution to the debate about the relation of religion to the modern city fills an important gap in the historiography of early nineteenth-century religious life. Although there is some evidence that strict doctrine led to a more restricted response to urban problems, extensive local and personal variations mean that simple generalizations should be avoided. Ian J.Shaw argues against earlier prejudiced views and shows that high Calvinists played a vigorous and successful part in the response of early nineteenth-century churches to the process of urbanization. The study includes six substantial case studies of ministers and their churches in Manchester and London. Four high Calvinist ministers are considered, with two studies of ministers holding to an evangelical Calvinist doctrine also included to provide instructive contrasts. Detailed social analysis of the congregations is based upon extensive use of manuscript and printed sources, sermons, and local and denominational press.

Full Product Details

9780199250776

Table of Contents

Reviews

... well-researched and carefully argued. Journal of Ecclesiastical History Ian Shaw has put us in his debt by this exploration of the social and political actions of six ministers of the early nineteenth century ... This is a rich book, meticulously researched and well written. It casts light on what has often been a dark corner of evangelical history. Baptist Quarterly ... makes an important contribution ... this is rich and complex comparative history ... offers a powerful antidote to the stereotypes, simplifications and reductionism that have sometimes dogged scholarship on nineteenth-century religion. Themelios

Author Information

Ian J. Shaw is Lecturer in Church History at International Christian College, Glasgow

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available