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A History of the Brethren Movement: Its Origins, Its Worldwide Development and Its Significance for the Present Day
Coad's work traces the history of the Brethren Movement, which began more than 170 years ago and has since spread throughout the world. The author considers some of the outstanding characters produced by the movement, as well as its signficance in relation to the whole Christian church.
- GenresHistory
328 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 21, 2020
A MUST READ FOR ANYONE WHO HAS AN INTEREST IN THE LOCAL CHURCH!
This is the best, by far, history of the unique spiritual movement known as the Christian Brethren or the Plymouth Brethren. Superbly researched and written, it is a warts and all history of how God moved in the hearts of men widely separated in location, ideology and means, to create a movement which was at the forefront of missionary endeavour.
Sadly, human pride and seeking for control almost ruined this movement, but it still exists today and is still very strong in missionary endeavour worldwide.
The highlight of the book for me is the 4 freedoms of the Brethren, which Roy Coad sets out on page 249 ...
The freedom of the Word of God in my thinking
The freedom of the Lord Christ in my living
The freedom of the Holy Spirit in my worship and service; and
The freedom of the whole Body of Christ in my fellowship.
Having been among the Brethren for 30 years from conversion to Christ, I must confess that I enjoy and live by the above freedoms, which don't always go down well in other groupings of Christians!
If you read only one book, about the Brethren this is the one to read!
This is the best, by far, history of the unique spiritual movement known as the Christian Brethren or the Plymouth Brethren. Superbly researched and written, it is a warts and all history of how God moved in the hearts of men widely separated in location, ideology and means, to create a movement which was at the forefront of missionary endeavour.
Sadly, human pride and seeking for control almost ruined this movement, but it still exists today and is still very strong in missionary endeavour worldwide.
The highlight of the book for me is the 4 freedoms of the Brethren, which Roy Coad sets out on page 249 ...
The freedom of the Word of God in my thinking
The freedom of the Lord Christ in my living
The freedom of the Holy Spirit in my worship and service; and
The freedom of the whole Body of Christ in my fellowship.
Having been among the Brethren for 30 years from conversion to Christ, I must confess that I enjoy and live by the above freedoms, which don't always go down well in other groupings of Christians!
If you read only one book, about the Brethren this is the one to read!
January 1, 2023
I grew up Brethren but never really knew much about the movement. F. Roy Coad's 1968 book is a good introduction to Brethren history, carefully situating John Nelson Darby's often outsized influence alongside that of other important Brethren leaders like George Müller and Anthony Norris Groves. The latter sections of the book depart strictly from history and explore certain Brethren distinctives and emphases such as the authority of Scripture and church practices (who has the gift of preaching?).
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews