Searching for the true church : Brethren and evangelicals in mid-twentieth century England - Shuff, Roger N. (Milton Keynes, UK Paternoster, 2005)
Contents: Introduction. Ch 2: Local but not parochial: Independent Brethren confidence attracts widening attention : A rising profile; Communion at the centre; Degrees of separatism; The local assembly; Conclusion. Ch 3: Networks of the true church: Connexional Brethren as the spiritual haven for discerning souls : The reality of church; The practice of the supper; The boundaries of communion; The ethos of ministry; Conclusion. Ch 4: Students of the Word: Independant Brethren and the resurgence of evangelical Bible study and scholarship : The hegemony of the self-taught; Equipping educated evangelicals; A credible faith; Training opinion makers; Lowering the fence; Conclusion. Ch 5: Authority in doctrine: the locus of truth for Connexional Brethren : Essentially different; Defined by controversy; Representing the apostles; Authority enforced; Conclusion. Ch 6: Mission minded: Independent Brethren and the post-war evangelistic enterprise : Bridging the gulf; Organization for the Gospel; The transatlantic dimension; The implications of effective evangelism; Conclusion. Ch 7: A disconcerting world: Connexional Brethren respond to the post-war generation : Faith in tradition; Pushing the boundaries; Pulling up the drawbridge; An inextinguishable flame?; Conclusion. Ch 8: Revival fire : Independent Brethren and a new emphasis on the Holy Spirit: The Spirit of Pentecost; Power for revival; New restorationists; The antidote for ecclesiological compromise; Seeking revival not renewal; Conclusion. Ch 9: The spirit of revival: Connexional Brethren in the religious and cultural climate of the sixties : Reconciliation for revival; The 'greatist revival that ever was'; The spirit of contemporary culture; Power to the young; Getting free; Conclusion. Appendix 1 : Brethren congregations in England and Wales 1873-1975. Appendix 2 : The Aberdeen Issue: 1970
"...inclusion of both branches of the Brethren movement. commonly known as 'Open' and 'Exclusive' but designated by Shuff 'Independant' and 'Connexional' respectively..." (from the foreword by H.H. Rowdon)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Keywords: Church history -- 20th century; Brethren movement -- 20th century; Exclusive brethren -- distinctives; Open brethren -- distinctives