God's Ambassadors: A History of the Christian Clergy in America

by E. Brooks Holifield

In  God's Ambassadors  E. Brooks Holifield masterfully traces the history of America's Christian clergy from the seventeenth to the twenty-first century, analyzing the changes in practice and authority that have transformed the clerical profession.

Challenging one-sided depictions of decline in clerical authority, Holifield locates the complex story of the clergy within the context not only of changing theologies but also of transitions in American culture and society. The result is a thorough social history of the profession that also takes seriously the theological presuppositions that have informed clerical activity. With alternating chapters on Protestant and Catholic clergy, the book permits sustained comparisons between the two dominant Christian traditions in American history.

At the same time,  God's Ambassadors  depicts a vocation that has remained deeply ambivalent regarding the professional status marking the other traditional learned callings in the American workplace. Changing expectations about clerical education, as well as enduring theological questions, have engendered a debate about the professional ideal that has distinguished the clerical vocation from such fields as law and medicine.

The American clergy from the past four centuries constitute a colorful, diverse cast of characters who have, in ways both obvious and obscure, helped to shape the tone of American culture. For a well-rounded narrative of their story told by a master historian,  God's Ambassadors  is the book to read.

Genres: Nonfiction, Devotional, Church History, History, Church

368 pages, Hardcover

First published September 25, 2007

Reviews

[Paul Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holifield's book does an excellent job of examining and describing American Christianity by focusing his attention on the American Clergy.

This book is important for those interested in understanding American clergy, especially pre-1960.
This book is helpful for researchers as it provides an excellent bibliography of early American documents.

This book is not designed to be an exciting read.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid survey of the history of clergy in America. It was interesting to trace certain themes over time, such as education, regional differences, and political engagement. Probably most interesting for ministers to read!

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Addison · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
E. Brooks Holifield offers a detailed, scholarly exploration of the evolving role and influence of Christian clergy in American history. The book thoughtfully navigates theological, cultural, and professional changes over centuries, presenting a balanced, nuanced view of Protestant and Catholic traditions. It’s a rich resource for readers interested in religious history, though its academic tone may be dense for casual readers.

[Marcus · Rating 2 out of 5]

Substance: 4/5
Readability: 2/5

I'm a seminary student and this was required for reading for class.

I decided to read the 100 pages required in chapters eight through ten; the three chapters look at the Protestant and Catholic churches from 1930–2005. This period is not one that I have had much time to personally study, so to spend the time in Holifield’s book in the way I did was inspired by curiosity, requirement, and intrigue. Holifield is a blatant historian and writes the book as such. The book presents data, historical conclusions, and leaves insight and authorial presupposition to the side as subordinate. As a reader who loves any good data-driven conversation, I appreciated the feel of God’s Ambassadors compared to the other theology I have read for my Masters in Divinity degree.

I was particularly intrigued in the data that addressed the state of the clergy throughout the civil rights movement. In a time when racism is taking the modern discussion once again, the findings were extremely helpful to see. Many of the clerical struggles of the 1960s and 70s are still happening – or happening in new ways – today. However, I found myself more and more inspired of the clergy during this time, who took much criticism for the ways they did (or did not) speak out to the horrendous atrocities. I hope to look more into the era that Holifield’s research skims over.

Holifield’s research grounded me closer to earth and help me locate myself on the historical clerical trajectory. Modern Christian media and sentiments can quite easily lead to a alarmist, panicked tone in the clergy. When I see the clergy of yesterday struggling with much of the same issues, I find a strange sense of peace. The church is the church, and our God will remain faithful until the day of New Creation.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got to love church history. I sat in on a talk with this prof. Very intersting man and book. He teaches at Emory currently. Gives intersting insight on Clergy durring the many changes the church has gone through in America.