T&T Clark Companion to Nonconformity

Description

Protestant Nonconformity, the umbrella term for Congregationalists, Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists and Unitarians, belongs specifically to the religious history of England and Wales. Initially the result of both unwillingness to submit to the State's interference in Christian life and a dissatisfaction with the progress of reform in the English Church, Nonconformity has been primarily motivated by theological concern, ecclesial polity, devotion and the nurture of godliness among the members of the church. Alongside such churchly interests, Nonconformity has also made a profound contribution to debates about the role of the State, to family life and education, culture in general, trade and industry, the development of philanthropy and charity, and the development of pacifism. In this volume, for the first time, Nonconformity and the breadth of its activity come under the expert scrutiny of a host of recognised scholars. The result is a detailed and fascinating account of a movement in church history that, while currently in decline, has made an indelible mark on social, political, economic and religious life of the two nations.

Robert Pope is Reader in Theology at the University of Wales, Trinity St David, based at Lampeter, UK. He is also a minister of the United Reformed Church.

Robert Pope has gathered an impressive team of scholars who, together, have given us a magisterial overview of English and Welsh Nonconformity over the past three centuries or more ... This is a rich and invaluable resource for anyone who wishes to become acquainted with historical Nonconformity, to which students and scholars can turn with confidence. It should be a standard volume in any reference section of a library, whether serving the general public or the academy. -- Paul Ballard, UK * Theological Book Review * What Pope, an academic and United Reformed Church minister, has done here is edit an excellent collection of articles that places Nonconformity within its religious, social, cultural and economic context, and very ably articulate its contribution . . . It is a fine, comprehensive volume with the editor achieving a good overall balance of subject areas and those involved and an important resource to help Methodists recognise their contribution alongside others. -- Stephen Skuce, Cliff College * METConnexion and Irish Methodist Newsletter * This weighty tome commands respect, not least for its sheer size but also for the breadth of vision which has brought it to life ... Its 751 pages represent a sound investment for all those interested in the history, theology and practice of English and Welsh Nonconformity. -- Mary Barnes * Congregational History Society Magazine * The Companion is in effect a handbook for the reader to mine the various themes which are covered; it has an excellent index of 34 tightly packed pages which effectively aids the searcher. [....] The editor Robert Pope, Reader in Theology at the University of Wales, has carried a daunting task through to a successful conclusion. The book is much to be recommended for the researcher into the story of Nonconformity. I'd advise anyone with an interest in this big subject, ever growing in terms of the books published on it, to ensure if they can that a copy of Companion to Nonconformity will be found in their local library. * Alan Ruston, Faith and Freedom, Oxford, UK * The book gives a wonderful overview and remains a useful manual. -- Jan Martijn Abrahamse * Soteria [Bloomsbury Translation] *