Presbyterian Scholars Conference Honors UDTS Professor’s Book
Sep 29, 2016
Bradley J. Longfield, professor of church history at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, will participate in a round table discussion celebrating the 25th anniversary of his award-winning book, The Presbyterian Controversy: Fundamentalists, Modernists, and Moderates (Oxford University Press, 1991), at the Presbyterian Scholars Conference October 19-20 at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois.
“I am deeply grateful that my work has helped the church and academy better understand the history of Christianity in the United States and look forward to lively conversations at this important conference,” Longfield said.
Longfield’s book examines the fundamentalist/modernist conflict in the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. from 1922 to 1936 by weaving together the history of the controversy with biographies of six key leaders of the church. Longfield shows that while theological concerns were primary in the struggle, social and cultural considerations profoundly contributed to the roles of the leaders and the outcome of the conflict.
The book, still in print, has been praised as “superb scholarship” and “enormously illuminating.”
Joining Longfield in the discussion will be George Marsden, Francis A. McAnaney professor of history emeritus at the University of Notre Dame, Darryl Hart, distinguished visiting assistant professor of history at Hillsdale College, and Michael Bush, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Athens, Alabama. Longfield will also present a paper at the conference on his current research titled “Evangelical Brotherhood: Reformed Christianity in Colonial America.”
The Presbyterian Scholars Conference, now in its third year, provides an opportunity for historians, theologians, pastors, and laity to discuss Presbyterian and Reformed history and theology.
