Radical Christianity: The Believers Church Tradition in Christianity's History and Future

by Barry L. Callen

Histories of the Protestant Reformation focus on the protest movements of Luther, Calvin, or Zwingli. But another important Protestant group emerged at the same time. Historians refer to it as the Anabaptist movement, the Believers Church movement, or the Radical Reformation. While these radical Christians continue to exert an important influence on Western Christianity, they have often been overlooked. Dr. Callen's appraisal of the Believers Church brings this important movement into view. He explains why the Believers Church continues to be a vital force within Christianity. He compares the beliefs of the Believers Church with other branches of Protestantism and proposes an agenda for future dialogue between proponents of this "radical" form of Christianity and their cousins in the mainstream.

Paperback

First published August 1, 1999

About the author

Barry L. Callen is University Professor Emeritus of Christian Studies at Anderson University, Editor of Anderson University Press and the Wesleyan Theological Journal, and Special Assistant to the General Director of Church of God Ministries. A college and seminary dean and professor at Anderson University for thirty-nine years, Dr. Callen has authored thirty-five books, including his autobiography A Pilgrim’s Progress (2008). Recent other volumes include: Discerning the Divine (Westminster/John Knox 2004); Authentic Spirituality (Baker Academic/Emeth Press 2001, 2006); and The Scripture Principle, with Clark Pinnock (Baker Academic/Emeth Press 2006, 2009). He holds academic degrees from Geneva College, Anderson University, Asbury Theological Seminary, Chicago Theological Seminary, and Indiana University. He is a founding officer and current corporate secretary of Horizon International, a Christian ministry to AIDS orphans in Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.