Book Description

In the first book ever written on the subject, Carl Bowman examines how and why members of the Church of the Brethren--historically known as "Dunkers" after their method of baptism--were assimilated faster and earlier than their Amish, Mennonite, or even Hutterite cousins.

"Brethren Society is unique, creative, and well written. There are virtually no other books to compare with it."--Donald B. Kraybill, author of The Riddle of Amish Culture

"Thoroughly and richly researched, clearly organized and cogently written. Bowman's account will be the standard reference on the subject for years to come."--James Davison Hunter, University of Virginia

"This brilliant analysis will shape the interpretation of Brethren history for many decades."--Donald F. Durnbaugh, Elizabethtown College

Customer Reviews (3)

Heart-breaking!
Carl Desportes Bowman tells it like it was in his account of the decline and acculturation of the Church of the Brethren, the formerly conservative wing of the Brethren Movement.

It's readable, enjoyable, but on the whole a very sad story.

A comprehensive work
As it becomes more and more difficult to provide information to those who desire it in regards to brethren history, Bowman has done a service to the Brethren movement. That he does not champion it but rather observes it is of great service. As one who traces my religious heritage through this body, i am grateful to Bowmam for the scholarly work which also manages to be an easy read. This book is for anyone with a great desire to understand the Brethren movement, it's roots, and its divisions.

Provides and in depth interpretive history of the Dunkards.
Bowman presents good information which is not easily found in the Brethren History Books.However, when charting the demise of the Brethren Movement, he identifies the loss of peculiarness as the reason the group lost its influence.While he documents the increase of bureaucratic baggage to the denomination and the abandonment of the original simplicity of the group, he does not see this as causal in the group loosing its original impact.He does not hedge or create heros as other Brethren history works tend to do, which is a definite value to this work. ... Read more

Product Description
481 musical selections plus liturgical aids to worship & indexes. ... Read more

Product Description
The history of the Methodist,Evangelical, and United Brethren Churches is told in comprehensive detailfrom 1850 to 1976. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Thoroughly Researched
Dr. Fetters is truly a scholar and a gentleman. This Christian researcher has put together a well documented history of the first demonination to be founded in the United States, the United Brethern in Christ. In so doing he has filled a niche that had previously been void. He is to be commended for successfully meeting this challenge.

The author's storytelling skills are so captivating that he takes the reader back to the U.B. theology that preceded the activities that later took place in the U.S. He's good at establishing context and developing chronology. This is an informative book. ... Read more

Product Description
A comprehensive guide to Brethren in Christ beliefs and church administration. Compiled by the BIC General Secretary's office, this is a comprehensive guide to Brethren in Christ beliefs and church administration.It includes the Articles of Faith and Doctrine, the BIC Constitution, and BIC bylaws. ... Read more