Settled Views: The Shorter Writings of Catherine Booth

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While born into a working-class Methodist family in a small English town, Catherine Booth (1829-1890) went on to become one of the most influential women of her day and age. As a preacher, author, social reformer, wife and mother, she played a critical role in the origin and development of the Salvation Army, which had spread to numerous parts of the globe by the time of her death. Possessing firm convictions on a host of religious and moral matters, Catherine left an indelible mark on both the Salvation Army and the wider evangelical community. The significance of Booths legacy is on display in this ground-breaking volume, which brings together for the first time her most important shorter writings on theology, female ministry, social issues, and world missions. Including scholarly commentary by Andrew M. Eason and Roger J. Green, this anthology offers unparalleled insight into the life and thought of a remarkable figure from the Victorian period. The wide-ranging topics found within this edited collection will appeal to readers of theology, church history, social history, Christian missions, and womens studies.

Reviews

Catherine Booth is one of the most important Christian leaders of the nineteenth century. Nevertheless, she has received surprisingly little attention from scholars. Settled Views is a landmark achievement. It is by far the most valuable source for identifying and understanding the thought and writings of the Mother of the Salvation Army. Finally Booths own voice is the one being heard: though dead, yet she still speaks powerfully to our twenty-first century world. -- Timothy Larsen, Wheaton College
Perhaps the warmest compliment I can offer professors Eason and Green on this meticulously researched book is that they have combined, with painstaking effort, to reframe the works of Catherine Booth in a way that enhances all we already know about her life and work. . . this welcome volume offers not only plentiful factual evidence of what was an astonishing existence, but also an insight into the personality of a woman whose relationship with God deepened and deepened until it was sealed in death. * The Officer Magazine *
Settled Views is a valuable collection of the shorter writings of the co-founder and early theologian of The Salvation Army. Following a helpful biographical sketch of Catherine Booths life, the editors provide a judicious selection of material from her booklets, articles, and letters, thematically arranging them in five categories: evangelism, holiness, female ministry, social concern, and world missions. Each theme is introduced in a contextually-sensitive, well-documented manner, making this work an important resource for understanding the theological contributions of the Army Mother. -- R. David Rightmire, Asbury University
This groundbreaking book. . . contains what the editors claim is the most comprehensive bibliography to date of Booths considerable number of known works, thus providing a very useful resource for scholars. . . this is a fascinating book of interest to both the scholar and the general reader who may not perhaps agree with all Booths settled views but cannot fail to be impressed by the powerful and passionate way she expressed herself. * Wesley and Methodist Studies *
Catherine Booth is one of the most important Christian leaders of the nineteenth century. Nevertheless, she has received surprisingly little attention from scholars. Settled Views is a landmark achievement. It is by far the most valuable source for identifying and understanding the thought and writings of the Mother of the Salvation Army. Finally Booths own voice is the one being heard: though dead, yet she still speaks powerfully to our twenty-first century world. -- Timothy Larsen, Wheaton College
Settled Views is a valuable collection of the shorter writings of the co-founder and early theologian of The Salvation Army. Following a helpful biographical sketch of Catherine Booths life, the editors provide a judicious selection of material from her booklets, articles, and letters, thematically arranging them in five categories: evangelism, holiness, female ministry, social concern, and world missions. Each theme is introduced in a contextually-sensitive, well-documented manner, making this work an important resource for understanding the theological contributions of the Army Mother. -- R. David Rightmire, Asbury University
By all accounts Catherine Booth was a fascinating woman and a remarkable leader as co-founder of the Salvation Army. In this anthology of her shorter writings, however, Eason and Green introduce you to a remarkable preacher, theologian, and apologist for women in ministry. Essentially Wesleyan in character, these writings demonstrate her passion for holiness of heart and life and her vision of abundant life for everyone. Her vision of a whole gospel for all people throughout the world provided the foundation for her practical theology. Extremely well-researched. Focused. Inspiring. Challenging. Required reading. Through the lens of these short writings, you will encounter a panoramic portrait of Catherine Booth as theologian. -- Paul W. Chilcote, Asbury Theological Seminary
This scholarly anthology is devoted to Catherine Booth, the cofounder of the Salvation Army. It is a balanced resource for evaluating her influential role in the formation and development of this organization, which now operates in close to 130 countries around the world This anthology makes the case that [Booth] helped to construct the theological foundations of the Salvation Army. For anyone interested in the passion and fervor of the founding figures of Christian groups, this well-documented book will provide the reader with insightful visions and models for Christian reform and mission. It represents a welcome addition to Victorian religious history and serves as an indispensable aid to understanding the early Salvation Army. -- Chang Han Kim, The United Church of Canada * Mission Studies *
In this highly readable book, the editors have gathered together a selection of letters, speeches, pamphlets, and articles by Catherine Mumford Booth, co-founder of the Salvation Army, who is recognized today as the primary theological contributor in shaping it. [T]his is a fascinating book of interest to both the scholar and general reader who cannot fail to be impressed by the power and passionate way [Booth] expressed herself. -- Amanda Russell-Jones, Regent College * Wesley and Methodist Studies *
In this anthology, Andrew M. Eason and Roger J. Green introduce the reader to a remarkable preacher, theologian, and apologist for women in ministry. Both editors bring extremely valuable credential to what can easily be described the definitive edition of these writings [The book] is focused, inspiring, challenging, required reading. -- Paul W. Chilcote, Asbury Theological Seminary * Methodist History *
Arranging the chapters around five central issuessalvation, sanctification, female ministry, social issues, and world missionsthe editors frame the volume and each chapter with useful introductions that provide basic biographical and historical context. The result is a more dynamic portrait than usually emerges from Booth biographies.. . . Eason and Greens compilation of Booths shorter writings provide yet another helpful opportunity to reconsider Booths enduring imprint on the Salvation Army and evangelicalism more generally. * Reading Religion *

Author Bio

Andrew M. Eason is associate professor of religion and director of the Centre for Salvation Army Studies at Booth University College. Roger J. Green is professor emeritus of biblical and theological studies at Gordon College.