An edition of Taking heaven by storm (1998)
Taking heaven by storm
Methodism and the rise of popular Christianity in America
By John H. Wigger
Publish Date
1998
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Language
eng
Pages
269
Description:
Following the Revolutionary War, American Methodism grew at an astonishing rate, rising from fewer than 1,000 members in 1770 to over 250,000 by 1820. In Taking Heaven by Storm, John H. Wigger seeks to explain this remarkable expansion, offering a provocative reassessment of the role of popular religion in American life. Wigger examines American Methodism from a variety of angles, focusing in turn on the circuit riders who relentlessly pushed the Methodist movement forward, the critical role of women and African Americans within the movement, the enthusiastic nature of Methodist worship, and the unique community structure of early American Methodism. Under Methodism's influence, American evangelism became far more enthusiastic, egalitarian, entrepreneurial, and lay oriented - characteristics that continue to shape and define popular religion today.