
The Perfect Rule of the Christian Religion
A History of Sandemanianism in the Eighteenth Century
John Howard Smith(Author)
State University of New York Press
Published on 8. January 2009
Book
Hardback
246 pages
978-1-4384-2507-8 (ISBN)
Description
A history of the Sandemanians, a little-known but ultimately influential Christian sect in colonial America.
Some thought them dangerous, others credited them with recovering original Christianity. The Sandemanians, a sect with roots in the turmoil of eighteenth-century Scottish Presbyterianism, espoused a radical theology that influenced the development of American Christianity. Founder John Glas blended elements of fundamentalist New Testament Christianity with Enlightenment philosophy to create what he believed to be "the perfect rule of the Christian religion." The history and legacy of the Sandemanians are given full attention in these pages, which reveal the origins of the sect in Scotland and follow its greatest proselyte, Robert Sandeman, across the Atlantic to New England. Author John Howard Smith shows how such a minor sectarian movement could create so much controversy at the time of the First Great Awakening and the American Revolution. The churches Sandeman established were eventually crushed by the Revolution, their adherents scattered, never to grow into a denomination. The Sandemanians are little known today, yet elements of their theology played a key role in the future of American Christianity.
Some thought them dangerous, others credited them with recovering original Christianity. The Sandemanians, a sect with roots in the turmoil of eighteenth-century Scottish Presbyterianism, espoused a radical theology that influenced the development of American Christianity. Founder John Glas blended elements of fundamentalist New Testament Christianity with Enlightenment philosophy to create what he believed to be "the perfect rule of the Christian religion." The history and legacy of the Sandemanians are given full attention in these pages, which reveal the origins of the sect in Scotland and follow its greatest proselyte, Robert Sandeman, across the Atlantic to New England. Author John Howard Smith shows how such a minor sectarian movement could create so much controversy at the time of the First Great Awakening and the American Revolution. The churches Sandeman established were eventually crushed by the Revolution, their adherents scattered, never to grow into a denomination. The Sandemanians are little known today, yet elements of their theology played a key role in the future of American Christianity.
Reviews / Votes
"...the student of eighteenth-century Baptist life up until now was hard pressed to find sufficient material to study Sandemanianism in depth. John Howard Smith has rectified this neglect with a carefully researched and well-written history of this movement ... Smith is to be thanked for bringing to life an obscure but still relevant sect, important in the study of Baptist history and evangelical theological debate, through this fine treatment." - Southern Baptist Journal of TheologyMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Albany, NY
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
US School Grade: College Graduate Student and over
Product notice
Laminated cover
Illustrations
1 Figures
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
522 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4384-2507-8 (9781438425078)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

John Howard Smith
The Perfect Rule of the Christian Religion
A History of Sandemanianism in the Eighteenth Century
E-Book
12/2008
State University of New York Press
€36.49
Available for download
Person
John Howard Smith is Assistant Professor of History at Texas A&M University-Commerce.
Content
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. "I Thought Myself a Sound Presbyterian"
2. "The Perfect Rule of the Christian Religion"
3. "He Becomes Possessed of a Truth"
4. "May God Preserve Our [Churches] Amidst All Attacks"
5. "Spirited Conduct"
6. "Mine Eyes Must Flow with a River of Tears"
Epilogue
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Introduction
1. "I Thought Myself a Sound Presbyterian"
2. "The Perfect Rule of the Christian Religion"
3. "He Becomes Possessed of a Truth"
4. "May God Preserve Our [Churches] Amidst All Attacks"
5. "Spirited Conduct"
6. "Mine Eyes Must Flow with a River of Tears"
Epilogue
Notes
Bibliography
Index