
In this thoughtful survey the author traces the surge of new religious currents that have emerged over the past thirty years, from faith‑healing circles and Christian Science to New Thought, Theosophy and Spiritualism. He outlines how these groups position themselves alongside—or in opposition to—traditional Catholic and Protestant traditions, highlighting both their rapid growth and the ways they reinterpret contemporary science and philosophy. By presenting clear, concise descriptions, the book equips listeners with a solid grounding in each movement’s core beliefs and practices.
The work also reflects on the challenge of studying such fluid phenomena, openly acknowledging its own limits while drawing on the insights of scholars like William James. It seeks patterns that link seemingly disparate groups, suggesting that many share a common “border‑land” spirituality that lies outside established religious authority. Readers will come away with a nuanced perspective on how modern religious consciousness is reshaping faith in today’s world.
Language
en
Duration
~9 hours (546K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Graeme Mackreth and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2006-08-15
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1868–1956
A Baptist minister and religious writer, he explored faith with a practical, curious eye. His books tackled modern spiritual movements and the inner life of belief in a way that aimed to be thoughtful and accessible.
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