This book gives a personal insight into the hearts and minds of a fundamentalist Christian sect, the Open Brethren. Using Brethren magazine articles, obituaries, and testimonies, Peter Herriot argues that the Brethren constitute a perfect example of a fundamentalism. Their culture is entirely opposed to the beliefs, values, and norms of modernity. As a result, like other fundamentalisms they challenge modern Christianity and impede its efforts to engage with global society.

The first social scientific perspective on the Open Bretheren
Studies the Open Brethren from several perspectives, including historical and psychological accounts
Examines the challenge of fundamentalism to modernity and globalization

Autorentext

Peter Herriot, who was brought up in a Brethren family, was Professor of Psychology at the City University and at Birkbeck College, University of London. He has since written on fundamentalism from a social psychological perspective. Among his books are 'Religious Fundamentalism: Global, Local, and Personal' (2009) and 'Warfare and Waves: Calvinists and Charismatics in the Church of England' (2017).

Inhalt
GlossaryIntroduction Part 1: PerspectivesChapter 1. The Tight Brother's TaleChapter 2. The Loose Brother's TaleChapter 3. The Historian's TaleChapter 4. The Psychologist's TaleChapter 5. Brethren LivesChapter 6. Salvation and Service Part 2: AuthorityChapter 7. Conformity and BeliefChapter 8. Authority in ActionChapter 9. The Authority of the BibleChapter 10. The Authority of the Brother Part 3: SeparationChapter 11. Separation and IdentityChapter 12. Pure from the WorldChapter 13. Separated from the SectsChapter 14. Apart from the Apostates Part 4: Fundamentalism Chapter 15. An Archetypal FundamentalismChapter 16. The Brethren and Modernism Chapter 17. Fundamentalism and ChristianityChapter 18. Religion and Globalisation