Reformation, Dissent and Diversity: The Story of Scotland's Churches, 1560 - 1960

(Hardback)

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Description

This book examines and describes for the general reader the life and characteristics of the churches which flourished in Scotland between the Reformation and the mid-20th century. It will help both amateur and professional historians to understand the different denominations, and provides background to, and context for, their own research. Church influence on society has been particularly strong in Scotland and church records are a major source of pre-1844 information, but no recent book deals adequately with the church background. Here, the author explores how churches developed in, and interacted with, society. An overview of the churches of Scotland from the Reformation to 1960 is followed by a brief examination of each denomination including doctrinal issues, worship, organization, social and demographic factors, and mapping to show the geographical strengths of particular groups.

Reviews

Brilliantly presented history of Scotlands many sects and secessions. * Scottish Review of Books *
This is a quiet book that deserves a loud welcome. Andrew Muirhead has managed to pack four hundred years of the story of Scotlands churches into a couple of hundred pages of informative, accessible and concise writing. ... He has certainly fulfilled his modest aim of assisting the family and local historian and the book will equally be a boon for students and anyone wanting a short, clear guide to the subject. This volume deserves loud cheers for introducing such clarity to the story of Scotlands churches. * Scottish Historical Review *
Tradition is passing on a flame not worshipping the ashes. This opening quote strikes the tone of this very welcome study of four turbulent centuries where Scotlands churches have played a pivotal role in shaping Scotlands history, development and the lives of its citizens I strongly commend this book to anyone who has a love for the churches in Scotland and an enthusiasm for expanding knowledge and understanding. -- Dan Gunn * Open House *
Andrew Muirhead has written a splendidly clear and readable one-volume account of Scotland's churches, for which we are all in his debt. * Theology Journal *
Muirheads attention to detail is fastidious throughout the volume, culminating in a series of maps and charts that give quick overviews of various denominations and their geographical spread throughout Scotland and trace the genetic flow of those churches. [A] useful resource. -- Christina Hitchcock, The University of Sioux Falls * Horizons: The Journal of the College Theology Society *
This splendid account is the Baedeker for anyone trying to find their way through the complexities of Scottish Church History since the Reformation. Muirhead balances the big picture with the local. He reminds us of the shakers and movers in the history of the Scottish church but also of the everyday supporters and their concerns. He recognises the role played by religion in individual lives but also the way that piety could be warped into peculiarity. This is the best kind of church history: clear narrative, cogent analysis and relevant anecdote. * Alastair Durie, University of Stirling, UK *
This is an excellent and incisive treatment of the history of Christianity in Scotland over a four hundred year period since the Scottish Reformation. * Kenneth Roxburgh, Samford University, UK *
The bewildering variety of Christian denominations past and present can confuse the historical researcher and the contemporary observer alike. Alistair Muirhead, however, reveals the origin and development of virtually every Christian body that has existed in Scotland since the Reformation, providing a concise and accessible introduction to the history of the faith in Scotland over four centuries. * David Bebbington, University of Stirling, UK *
Modestly, Muirhead says that this is a 'non-academic outline of why Scotland has so many churches, Presbyterian and otherwise.' In reality, however, it is a tour de force which will reward the reader with insights into the politics and the theology of every aspect of Scottish Church history from the Reformation to the Disruption and on into the 20th Century reunion of the Churches. The historical cameos bring the text to life and there are surprising revelations which put some of our present day controversies into perspective. I heartily commend this book to anyone who wants to understand the present day Church in Scotland. * Right Reverend John P. Chalmers, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, UK *
This is the first research-based ecclesiastical history of post-Reformation Scotland in a generation. From John Knox to Billy Graham, Andrew Muirhead casts his gifted eye over the whole realm of religious change, bringing up to date our understanding of how the country moved in four centuries from a Presbyterian theocracy to a multi-faith democracy. This is an authoritative narrative of the Christian churches, using extensive archival quotation and learned assessment. The book has many claims to originality, not least being the author's command of Scotland's often-neglected ecclesiastical law, and the due attention paid to the important forms of dissent which Scots not merely adopted but in many cases invented. Rich in insight and vivid description, the author provides a readable textbook for student and general reader alike. * Callum G. Brown, University of Glasgow, UK *

Author Bio

Andrew Muirhead is a former librarian interested in the churches' impact on the life of Scotland. He traces his own family through several of the denominations described here and is President of the Scottish Church History Society.