The Impact of the American Revolution on James O'Kelly's Understanding of Ecclesial Governance in the Methodist Episcopal Church
This article examines the egalitarian convictions and doctrines of the Reverend James O'Kelly and how his belief in church autonomy led to one of the earliest schisms in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Although O'Kelly would attempt to frame his conflict with the Methodist Church and Franc...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Wiley-Blackwell
2022
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| In: |
Journal of religious history
Year: 2022, Volume: 46, Issue: 1, Pages: 61-81 |
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
O'Kelly, James 1735-1826
/ Asbury, Francis 1745-1816
/ Methodist Episcopal Church
/ Revolutionary War
/ Schism
/ Church administration
/ Democratic principle
/ History 1774-1826
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| IxTheo Classification: | CG Christianity and Politics CH Christianity and Society KAH Church history 1648-1913; modern history KBQ North America KDD Protestant Church RB Church office; congregation |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | This article examines the egalitarian convictions and doctrines of the Reverend James O'Kelly and how his belief in church autonomy led to one of the earliest schisms in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Although O'Kelly would attempt to frame his conflict with the Methodist Church and Francis Asbury as a theological dispute, an examination of O'Kelly's beliefs reveal that he was an individual profoundly influenced by the democratic rhetoric and ideals of his era, which ultimately came to fruition in the American Revolution. As a veteran of that conflict, O'Kelly adopted many of the principles espoused in the Revolution and viewed both individuals and churches as autonomous and capable of self-governance. His inherent distrust of hierarchical authority would eventually lead O'Kelly and several of his followers to leave the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1792 to found a separate denomination based on his convictions. This analysis builds on prior scholarship that portrays the “O'Kelly Schism” in the Methodist Episcopal Church as less of a doctrinal dispute, and more of a controversy over the nature of church government, sovereignty, and individual rights in the early American Republic. |
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| ISSN: | 1467-9809 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal of religious history
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1111/1467-9809.12826 |