Overview

In the 1950s and 1960s, Churches of Christ were the fastest growing religious organization in the United States. The churches flourished especially in southern and western states, including Oklahoma. In this compelling history, historian W. David Baird examines the key characteristics, individuals, and debates that have shaped the Churches of Christ in Oklahoma from the early nineteenth century to the beginning of the twenty-first century. Baird's narrative begins with an account of the Stone-Campbell movement, which emerged along the American frontier in the early 1800s. Representatives of this movement in Oklahoma first came as missionaries to American Indians, mainly to the Cherokees, Chickasaws, and Choctaws. Baird highlights the role of two prominent missionaries during this period, and he next describes a second generation of missionaries who came along during the era of the Twin Territories, prior to statehood. In 1906, as a result of disagreements regarding faith and practice, followers of the Stone-Campbell Movement divided into two organizations: Churches of Christ and Disciples of Christ. Baird then focuses solely on Churches of Christ in Oklahoma, all the while keeping a broader national context in view. Drawing on extensive research, Baird delves into theological and political debates and explores the role of the Churches of Christ during the two world wars. As Churches of Christ grew in number and size throughout the country during the mid-twentieth century, controversy loomed. Oklahoma's Churches of Christ argued over everything from Sunday schools and the support of orphan's homes to worship elements, gender roles in the church, and biblical interpretation. And nobody could agree on why church membership began to decline in the 1970s, despite exciting new community outreach efforts. This history by an accomplished scholar provides solid background and new insight into the question of whether Churches of Christ locally and nationally will be able to reverse course and rebuild their membership in the twenty-first century.

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9780806164625

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Reviews

"In this thorough and engaging work, W. David Baird provides the first critical history of Churches of Christ in Oklahoma, bringing together and analyzing material not previously accessible in one place. Baird's work is an important contribution to the history of American Christianity and the Stone-Campbell movement."""" - Douglas Foster, coauthor of Renewing God's People: A Concise History of Churches of Christ """"W. David Baird's study of the Churches of Christ in Oklahoma provides a fresh perspective on a wide range of developments from Oklahoma's territorial period to the present. His examination of these churches is an important contribution to our cultural history."""" - Alvin O. Turner, author of L. W. Marks: A Baptist Progressive in Missouri and Oklahoma, 1862 - 1943 """"W. David Baird combines two of my favorite things - Oklahoma history and my faith fellowship - to create a compelling and enjoyable read that introduces personalities, issues, and insights."""" - John deSteiguer, president, Oklahoma Christian University"

W. David Baird combines two of my favorite things--Oklahoma history and my faith fellowship--to create a compelling and enjoyable read that introduces personalities, issues, and insights. --John deSteiguer, president, Oklahoma Christian University W. David Baird's study of the Churches of Christ in Oklahoma provides a fresh perspective on a wide range of developments from Oklahoma's territorial period to the present. His examination of these churches is an important contribution to our cultural history. --Alvin O. Turner, author of L. W. Marks: A Baptist Progressive in Missouri and Oklahoma, 1862-1943 In this thorough and engaging work, W. David Baird provides the first critical history of Churches of Christ in Oklahoma, bringing together and analyzing material not previously accessible in one place. Baird's work is an important contribution to the history of American Christianity and the Stone-Campbell movement. --Douglas Foster, coauthor of Renewing God's People: A Concise History of Churches of Christ

Author Information

W. David Baird is Dean Emeritus of Seaver College and Howard A. White Professor of History at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. He is the author of The Story of Oklahoma (with Danney Goble) and Quest for Distinction: Pepperdine University in the 20th Century.

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