
The Evangelical Conversion Narrative
Spiritual Autobiography in Early Modern England
D. Bruce Hindmarsh(Author)
Oxford University Press
Published on 6. December 2007
Book
Paperback/Softback
400 pages
978-0-19-923671-8 (ISBN)
Description
In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, thousands of ordinary women and men experienced evangelical conversion and turned to a certain form of spiritual autobiography to make sense of their lives. This book traces the rise and progress of conversion narrative as a unique form of spiritual autobiography in early modern England. After outlining the emergence of the genre in the seventeenth century and the revival of the form in the journals of the leaders of the Evangelical Revival, the central chapters of the book examine extensive archival sources to show the subtly different forms of narrative identity that appeared among Wesleyan Methodists, Moravians, Anglicans, Baptists, and others. Attentive to the unique voices of pastors and laypeople, women and men, Western and non-Western peoples, the book establishes the cultural conditions under which the genre proliferated.
Reviews / Votes
Based on deep knowledge of Whitefield's and especially the Wesleys' reading and vast output of writings and of the contemporary context, this book throws brilliant new light on the emergence and development of Evangelicalism, whose flame still burns bright. For anyone seeking to explore Evangelicalism, this is an admirable book. * The Ven. Dr William Jacob, Church Times * Exhaustively researched and leavened with dry wit, The Evangelical Conversion Narrative offers a focused and sometimes moving insight into the lives of all sorts and conditions of people, from barely literate laborers to self-consciously literary preachers and poets. * Maria M. Scott, Christianity and Literature * In this finely researched and compellingly written account of the hitherto relatively underexplored phenomenon of religious conversions in early modern England... Hindmarsh argues convincingly that... a more nuanced reading of this key historical period of evangelicalism is needed... Evangelical Conversion Narrative will be a first port-of-call for any serious inquiry into this eponymous cultural and religious phenomenon which swept through the Atlantic world in the mid- to late eighteenth century. * Paul C.H. Lim, Religious Studies Review * These are complex and testing areas, yet Hindmarsh's handling of his subject matter is superb, revealing depth of knowledge and an engaging style...The differences and similarities between conversions in different parts of the evangelical movement are explored and analysed with finesse...It is a landmark study deserving of the highest praise for its scholarly integrity and breadth of vision. * Gareth Lloyd Journal for Eighteenth-Century Studies * This is a model monograph. Bruce Hindmarsh has landed upon an important yet surprisingly understudied theme, researched it thoroughly, and explored it in a wide-ranging and insightful manner...The Evangelical Conversion Narrative deserves to be read, discussed, and cited for many years to come. * Timothy Larsen The English Historical Review * ...an impressive study. * John Kent, Journal of Theological Studies * It is the best book ever published by a North American on eighteenth-century evangelical religion. * Mark A. Noll, Journal of the American Academy of Religion *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
605 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-923671-8 (9780199236718)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

D. Bruce Hindmarsh
The Evangelical Conversion Narrative
Spiritual Autobiography in Early Modern England
Book
03/2005
Oxford University Press
€246.70
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
D. Bruce Hindmarsh is James M. Houston Associate Professor of Spiritual Theology, Regent College, Vancouver.
Author
James M. Houston Associate Professor of Spiritual Theology, Regent College, Vancouver
Content
Introduction ; 1. Early Modern Origins: The Rise of Popular Conversion Narrative ; 2. The Revival of Conversion Narrative: Evangelical Awakening in the Eighteenth Century ; 3. The Early Methodist Journalists: George Whitefield and John Wesley ; 4. White-Hot Piety: The Early Methodist Lay People ; 5. 'Poor Sinnership': Moravian Narrative Culture ; 6. 'The Word Came in with Power': Conversions at Cambuslang ; 7. 'A Nail Fixed in a Sure Place': The Lives of the Early Methodist Preachers ; 8. The Olney Autobiographers: Conversion Narrative and Personality ; 9. The Seventeenth Century Reprised: Conversion Narrative and the Gathered Church ; 10. After Christendom: Evangelical Conversion Narrative and its Alternatives