"Encyclopedia of Protestantism" explores the movement that began in Europe in the 16th century, established itself in opposition to the Roman Catholic Church, spread around the world, and today lives on in thousands of individual denominations and parachurch organizations. This comprehensive reference to Protestantism covers its history, concepts, people, events, and major organizations worldwide. A special effort has been made to also include those parts of the world in which Protestantism did not take hold until the 19th century, such as Asia, Africa, and Oceania.The entries include: Amish; Biblical criticism; Black theology; The Fundamentals; Hermeneutics; International Pentecostal Holiness Church; Jehovah's Witnesses; Laying on of hands; Neo-Orthodoxy; Nineth-five Theses; Ordination of women; Oriental Mission Society; William Penn; Televangelism; and, Ulrich Zwingli....

America is often thought of as a Protestant nation and slightly more than half of the population currently profess their membership in a church rooted in the original Protestant movement of the 16th century. Protestants established their churches in the American colonies early on, their descendents fought in the American Revolution, and they took the lead in conquering the continent and civilizing the frontier. Their culture dominated the land through the 19th century and it continues to wield a vast influence on the direction of American life even today. This volume focuses on those churches that trace their history to the Reformation within the Roman Catholic Church, including the Lutheran, Reformed, Presbyterian, Congregational, and Episcopal churches. More specifically, it explores the Protestant faith and addresses the impact these churches and their members have had on American culture and society. It discusses the leading role of Protestants in the founding of many of the country's most prestigious institutions of higher learning, including Harvard, Yale, Rutgers, and Princeton. It also looks at the significant positions Protestants maintain in business, politics, and intellectual society. Protestant Faith in America offers an objective look at this group that has contributed much in developing a strong America....

Representing many years of research, this impressive three-volume reference series explores the broad sweep of North American religions--19 families encompassing some 1,500 different religious bodies. Each volume features in-depth essays on the historical development of specific religions, descriptions of each group's membership, cross-references and other important data....

A Will to Choose surveys the first century of African American Methodism from its emergence in the 1860s through the changes wrought by the Civil War. From the beginning of Methodism in the United States, African Americans appropriated Methodism, helped transform it from a revitalization movement into an evangelical church, and integrated it into their struggle for liberation and wholeness....

A "Will to Choose" surveys the first century of African American Methodism from its emergence in the 1860s through the changes wrought by the Civil War. From the beginning of Methodism in the United States, African Americans appropriated Methodism, helped transform it from a revitalization movement into an evangelical church, and integrated it into their struggle for liberation and wholeness....

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L. Ron Hubbard best-selling science fiction writer, former naval officer, and people's philosopher did not initially intend to found a new religion. But neither did he object when followers organized a church based on his teachings. The resulting movement has attracted millions of adherents from around the globe. Much of Scientology applies common sense solutions to life's perplexities. If a church should be judged according to its good works, then Scientology receives high marks for its addiction treatment, literacy, and civil rights programs. But there is more, including mysticism, mythology, some secrecy, and a healthy dose of what might be termed eccentricity. Some observers wonder how a church that promotes mental and emotional well being, which it does, can itself at times appear to be paranoid or dysfunctional? Dr. Melton explores these questions and the major aspects of the church's hierarchical structure and theology, showing, among other things, that the study of religion is seldom dull....