American Originals – Homemade Varieties of Christianity

American Originals Homemade Varieties of Christianity

In a work of striking breadth and clarity, Paul Conkin offers an even-handed and in-depth look at the major American-made forms of Christianity—a diverse group of religious traditions, each of which reflects a significant break from western Christian orthodoxy.

Identifying six distinctive types, Conkin examines the major denominations representative of each original variety of American Christianity: restoration (Churches of Christ, Disciples of Christ); humanistic (Unitarians, Universalists); apocalyptic (Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses); Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints); spiritual (Christian Science, Unity); and ecstatic (Holiness and Pentecostal denominations). Focusing on the early years and maturation of these groups, he discusses their founders and leaders, origins and Old World roots, and essential doctrines and practices. Conkin closes each chapter with a guide to further reading.

The first comprehensive survey of these American originals, this book will serve as a valuable resource on a number of religious traditions whose members not only comprise a significant percentage of the American population but also make up an increasing proportion of Christian converts worldwide.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Fascinating approach to American Christian denominations!
I've been waiting for a book like this for a really long time. The book is fact filled, easy to read (for those new to religious concepts & sects) and informative. The author breaks the sects up so that we can better understand the denominations as a whole. The section on Apocalptic Christianity is one of the best. Many members of the sects discussed might be offended as it does point out inaccuracies or missteps within the sect. A great read!!

1 Star This distiguished prof of history didn't do his homework.
His chapter on Christian Science says it all. He didn't adequately research his subject and leaves us all the poorer in our understanding of Christian Science's significance as one of the few religious denominations established in North America. He spends too much time doing a hatchet job on Mary Baker Eddy and minimal effort on the very public and significant religious teachings of Christian Science.

5 Stars Religious scholarship at its best
This is a truly outstanding work in American religious history. Conkin delves deep into the historical details surrounding these groups, yet never loses focus of the larger picture and the major themes that make each group distinctive. His chapter on Mormonism is particularly good; no other work sorts out the complicated events and themes of the Latter-day Saints with as much clarity and concision.

Believers should note this is a scholarly work, and deals with questions those inside the faith, in their modes of worship, do not consider. Conkin is very fair with these groups; those unhappy with this work should compare it to the hatchet jobs many professors of religion, or sectarian believers, do to those of other faiths.

2 Stars Harold Bloom is the true erudite
American Originals is a poor, dry shadow of The American Religion written by Harold Bloom several years ago. It has none of the thrill of following and intimately disecting the american direction in religious ontology. It has an overall air of Ho-Hum. A feeling of "I wrote this book because I could." Not that its facts are terribly inaccurate but the point is that if I wanted a dictionary of religious history I would have bought one.

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