CH111: Optimism and Its Discontents

A comprehensive chronology of Christian history from the early colonial era through the early 20th century, with a specific focus on the evolution of American religious life. The materials detail the shift from Puritan and colonial foundations toward a Modern Age defined by massive global missionary expansion and significant intellectual challenges. Key figures such as William Carey and Charles Finneyillustrate the period’s focus on evangelical revivalism and social reform movements like abolition and the Social Gospel. Furthermore, the texts examine the rise of theological liberalism and higher criticism, which sparked a defensive response from conservative believers through the establishment of fundamentalism. Ultimately, these sources map how the church navigated the tensions between scientific progress, secular philosophy, and traditional biblical doctrine.