Summary

Encyclopedia of Protestantism explores the movement that began in Europe in the 16th century, established itself in opposition to the Roman Catholic Church, spread around the world, and today lives on in thousands of individual denominations and parachurch organizations. A comprehensive encyclopedia on Protestantism, this invaluable reference covers its history, concepts, people, events, and major organizations worldwide.

Applying a broad definition of the term Protestantism, coverage includes the Reformation churches, the Protestant-like churches that predated them, and the Free Churches. A special effort has been made to also include those parts of the world in which Protestantism did not take hold until the 19th century, such as Asia, Africa, and Oceania. A lengthy introduction provides an overview of the tradition, and approximately 80 black-and-white photographs, further readings, a chronology, a bibliography, and an index enhance this fascinating reference.

Entries include:

• African Initiated Churches
• Amish
• Karl Barth
• Biblical criticism
• Black theology
• Charismatic movement
• Creationism
• Samuel Ajayi Crowther
• Edward VI
• Feminist theology
• The Fundamentals
• Hermeneutics
• John Hus
• International Pentecostal Holiness Church
• Jehovah's Witnesses
• Justification by faith
• Laying on of hands
• London Missionary Society
• Neo-Orthodoxy
• Ninety-five Theses
• Ordination of women
• Oriental Mission Society
• Pacifism
• William Penn
• Pietism
• Sarasvati Mary Ramabai
• Sacred Name movement
• Televangelism
• Uchimura Kanzo
• World Student Christian Federation
• Ulrich Zwingli.

Specifications

Black-and-white photographs. Index. Bibliography. Cross-references. Chronology.

About the Author(s)

J. Gordon Melton is the director of the Institute for the Study of American Religion in Santa Barbara, California. He holds an M.Div. from Garrett Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University. Melton has been a teacher or lecturer at the University of San Francisco, the Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Loyola University in Chicago, and the University of California at Santa Barbara. He has written or edited more than three dozen books and anthologies as well as hundreds of papers and articles for scholarly journals. He is the series editor for Facts On File’s Faith in America set.