Church with the Soul of a Nation, A
Book Description
The founding of the United Church of Canada in 1925 represents one of the most ambitious spiritual experiments in modern history. When Congregationalist, Methodist, and Presbyterian leaders chose to transcend their denominational boundaries, they envisioned something revolutionary: a unified church that could embody the soul of an entire nation.
Phyllis Airhart chronicles this remarkable journey from its post-Confederation origins through decades of triumph and transformation. The story reveals how religious leaders, inspired by dreams of building a Christian society, navigated fierce opposition from dissenting Presbyterians who viewed their efforts as theologically compromised. Through economic hardship and global conflict, the church persevered, only to face an even greater challenge as secular currents began reshaping Western culture.
This compelling narrative illuminates how the church's founding vision became both its greatest strength and its most complex burden. As Canadian society evolved into a pluralistic landscape, church leaders confronted difficult questions about faith's role in public life and the possibility of creating a Christian social order in an increasingly diverse world.
Airhart's exploration offers profound insights into the tensions between institutional religion and cultural change. For readers seeking to understand how spiritual communities adapt and evolve, this work provides a thoughtful examination of one church's ongoing struggle to remain relevant while honoring its foundational calling to serve both faith and nation.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Long (> 400 pages) (~13 hours)
📄 Length: 464 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore RELIGION
- ✓ Explore Histoire
- ✓ Explore Methodist
- ✓ Explore Christianity
- ✓ Explore Canada, church history
- ✓ Explore Histoire religieuse
- ✓ Explore United church of canada
- ✓ Explore Church history
