32nd Annual Student Research Conference
The Development of the Stone-Campbell Movement and the Leaders' Response to Doctrinal Differences
Tyler J. Hanson
Dr. William Ashcraft, Faculty Mentor
I approach the Stone-Campbell Movement from both a religious and historical standpoint. To begin, I look at the context of American Christianity in the 19th century as Barton Stone and Alexander Campbell each leave the established Presbyterian Church and lead their own groups respectively. Next, I focus on how these two men came to know and respect one another, despite various doctrinal differences that existed between them. Out of this relationship comes the central conviction that would bind the movement together behind Stone and Campbell’s leadership; that it was more important to strive for Christian unity than to divide over doctrinal differences. It was this shared belief that would hold the movement together for as long as it lasted. When the leaders passed away, the movement would eventually split into different groups over those doctrinal differences, showing that it was their shared vision of unity that propelled the Stone-Campbell Movement.
Keywords: Stone-Campbell, Movement, Christianity, America, Doctrine, Differences, Response, Restoration
Topic(s):Philosophy & Religion
History
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 302-2
Location: BH 114
Time: 1:45