Book Event: Darkness Falls on the Land of Light
When:
Wednesday, Mar 01, 2017 6:00p -
7:30p
Wednesday, Mar 01, 2017 6:00p -
7:30p
Where:
New England Historic Genealogical Society
99-101 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116
Admission:
FREE
Categories:
Lectures & Conferences
Event website:
https://shop.americanancestors.org/products/book-event-darkness-falls-on-the-land-of-light?pass-through=true
The 1740s and 1750s were the dark night of the New England soul, as men and women groped toward a restructured religious order. Conflict transformed inclusive parishes into exclusive networks of combative spiritual seekers. Then as now, evangelicalism emboldened ordinary people to question traditional authorities. Their challenge shattered whole communities.
This sweeping history of popular religion in eighteenth-century New England examines the experiences of ordinary people living through extraordinary times. Drawing on an unprecedented quantity of letters, diaries, and testimonies, Douglas Winiarski recovers the pervasive and vigorous lay piety of the early eighteenth century. George Whitefield's preaching tour of 1740 called into question the fundamental assumptions of this thriving religious culture. Incited by Whitefield and fascinated by miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit--visions, bodily fits, and sudden conversions--countless New Englanders broke ranks with family, neighbors, and ministers who dismissed their religious experiences as delusive enthusiasm. These new converts, the progenitors of today's evangelical movement, bitterly assaulted the Congregational establishment.
Douglas L. Winiarski is associate professor of religious studies at the University of Richmond.
-
Sponsored -
Sponsored20+ Free Museums in Boston Including Free Museum Days
Thursday, Apr 18, 2024 goes until 12/31
Boston
