Work on a comprehensive, contextual history of the Stone-Campbell heritage is now underway. The book is a natural progression of the work begun in the Stone-Campbell Encyclopedia. We believe that it is time for such a history to be produced, adding our story to the larger stories of American and World history.

The editors of the book are: Newell Williams (Brite Divinity School of TCU), Paul Blowers (Emmanuel School of Religion), Doug Foster (Abilene Christian University), and Scott Seay (Christian Theological Seminary). In addition, ten other historians will contribute to the project.

This is a book that no one has yet attempted. Far from a mere update of previous histories, this book will contextualize the Stone-Campbell heritage into the larger American story. It will show how our churches were established within the fabric of the culture, economy, theology, ecclesiology, sociology, and periods of the United States. And it will show how a faith born in America spread throughout the whole world.

The book will also tell our story from all sides. Just as the Stone-Campbell Encyclopedia includes scholarship and perspectives from all three streams of our heritage, this history will include the full spectrum of representative ideologies.

This history will have a connecting thread throughout of the spirituality of the Stone-Campbell heritage. It will have the underlying support of historiography. And it will focus on the theological, ecclesiological, and sociological aspects inherent in our growth.

The book will include features that will appeal to a wide demographic of readership. This book will appeal to historians, students, congregations, and interested readers. It will be a book designed for the twenty-first century and it may well serve as a model for church history writing for the next generation.

The ministry that connects all three streams of our heritage will sponsor the new Stone-Campbell history: Disciples of Christ Historical Society. And the most recognized imprint will publish it: Christian Board of Publication (Chalice Press). Publication is planned for 2012.

Production of this new Stone-Campbell history is a joint venture of Christian Board of Publication (Cyrus N. White, President and Publisher) and Disciples of Christ Historical Society (Glenn Thomas Carson, President). White and Carson agree that the book will help to “develop a deep appreciation for the powerful Christian witness and unique character of the Stone-Campbell churches.”

For more information, visit Stone-Campbell World History Project or contact wbuchek@cbp21.com or mail@discipleshistory.org

June 15, 2010