Earl Irvin West (1920–2011)
Author of The Search for the Ancient Order
About the Author
Series
Works by Earl Irvin West
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1920-05-18
- Date of death
- 2011-02-04
- Gender
- male
- Occupations
- evangelist, Churches of Christ
professor - Organizations
- Church of Christ
- Short biography
- Gospel preacher listed in Preachers of Today, Vol. 1, 1952, 363.
He was baptized by Hugo McCord, May 1935 during a meeting by Emmett G. Creacy. Began preaching in 1938 in Indianapolis, IN. His education included Freed-Hardeman College, Abilene Christian College, Pepperdine College, Butler University School of Religion, and Indiana University. Most of his preaching career was spent in Indianapolis at the Irvington (1943-1953) and Franklin Road (1957-1988) congregations. Well known as a historian, West wrote The Search for the Ancient Order (four volumes), and biographies of David Lipscomb, Benjamin Franklin, and Hugo McCord. West served as a Gospel Advocate staff writer from 1948 through 1966. In 2004, the Gospel Advocate Co. published his autobiography, The Searcher of the Ancient Order. --Gospel Advocate, June 2005.
Dr. Earl Irvin West former university professor, church minister and author of nine books. - Birthplace
- Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Place of death
- Germantown, Tennessee, USA
- Burial location
- Washington Park East Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- Indiana, USA
Members
Reviews
This book is a biography of a gospel preacher and editor, Ben Franklin (1812-1878). who was of the Stone-Campbell religious heritage. He was one of many gospel preachers of that heritage who was mainly self-educated, but is of historical note due to his popular religious journal, American Christian Review. He wrote “with a “sharp pen.” (p. 291
Franklin's ministry was mainly conducted during the volatile years preceding and during the American Civil War. Although he lived in the north show more (Ohio and Indiana), his publication was widely read by people on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line. Like Alexander Campbell and many other Disciples, Franklin believed that American slavery was a political issue, not a religious issue (p. 147).
Following the Civil War, he remained faithful to what he perceived to be the ancient apostolic plea. A contemporary, W. K. Pendleton, “...noted in Franklin's thinking a fundamental error which had widespread popularity with a certain element. This was the belief that anything for which there was not a 'Thus Saith the Lord' must be rejected" (p. 225). Franklin grew to be against an innovations in the church (e.g., missionary societies and use of musical instruments) and other digressive behavior, such as the construction of what he considered to be elegant church buildings (see especially, Chapter XV).
Readers will likely be impressed by the many early leaders of the Disciples of Christ that were known by Franklin (Thomas and Alexander Campbell, Alexander Hall, John Taffe, David S. Burnet, Moses E. Lard, J. W. McGarvey, Arthur Cirhfield, W. S. Russell, Ovid Butler, Isaac Errett, and Knowles Show) – to name just a few. Unfortunately, no index is provided, hence, using this book as a research source is a chore.
Of special interest to me: The book notes a “B. H. Smith” of Bloomington, Illinois (p. 121) and quotes the antislavery resolution developed by “J. W. Lamphear” [note, it should be spelled “Lanphear”] and adopted by the Ohio Christian Missionary Society in 1863 (pp. 187-188). [Lanphear served as the minister of the Christian Church in Bloomington during 1857-1860].
A few photos are included in the book. The lack of a decent index is a big minus.
As my interests are to learn more of my Stone-Campbell religious heritage, I enjoyed the book and benefited from it. I think persons of like interest will also benefit from the book. I was able to purchase a “new” copy on the Internet, otherwise it may be found on the used book market or in some academic libraries. show less
Franklin's ministry was mainly conducted during the volatile years preceding and during the American Civil War. Although he lived in the north show more (Ohio and Indiana), his publication was widely read by people on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line. Like Alexander Campbell and many other Disciples, Franklin believed that American slavery was a political issue, not a religious issue (p. 147).
Following the Civil War, he remained faithful to what he perceived to be the ancient apostolic plea. A contemporary, W. K. Pendleton, “...noted in Franklin's thinking a fundamental error which had widespread popularity with a certain element. This was the belief that anything for which there was not a 'Thus Saith the Lord' must be rejected" (p. 225). Franklin grew to be against an innovations in the church (e.g., missionary societies and use of musical instruments) and other digressive behavior, such as the construction of what he considered to be elegant church buildings (see especially, Chapter XV).
Readers will likely be impressed by the many early leaders of the Disciples of Christ that were known by Franklin (Thomas and Alexander Campbell, Alexander Hall, John Taffe, David S. Burnet, Moses E. Lard, J. W. McGarvey, Arthur Cirhfield, W. S. Russell, Ovid Butler, Isaac Errett, and Knowles Show) – to name just a few. Unfortunately, no index is provided, hence, using this book as a research source is a chore.
Of special interest to me: The book notes a “B. H. Smith” of Bloomington, Illinois (p. 121) and quotes the antislavery resolution developed by “J. W. Lamphear” [note, it should be spelled “Lanphear”] and adopted by the Ohio Christian Missionary Society in 1863 (pp. 187-188). [Lanphear served as the minister of the Christian Church in Bloomington during 1857-1860].
A few photos are included in the book. The lack of a decent index is a big minus.
As my interests are to learn more of my Stone-Campbell religious heritage, I enjoyed the book and benefited from it. I think persons of like interest will also benefit from the book. I was able to purchase a “new” copy on the Internet, otherwise it may be found on the used book market or in some academic libraries. show less
The Search for the Ancient Order Volume III (A History of the Restoration Movement 1900-1918) by Earl Irvin West
I have to admit that reading this book was for me pretty much of a downer. The period covered included the "official split" between the churches of Christ and the Disciples of Christ. Chapter two in entitled "The 'Digressive' War." The author writes from the perspective of the "loyal brethren" and those who are not of that group are the "digressives." Numerous spats and divisions are also discussed among the "loyal brethren."
Having a Stone-Campbell religious heritage, I am able to keep track show more of the "good guys" and the "bad guys," but I expect it is extra confusing to outsiders. Using musical instruments in worship, located ministries, Sunday Schools, Christian Colleges, hymnals, hymnals with printed notes, and using one or multiple communion cups are just a few of the visible symbols that caused divisions.
It was troubling to read about missionaries who traveled abroad and were promised support by as many as 50 churches of Christ in the United States, only to discover that none delivered on their promise.
The author includes his take on the exploits of preacher Louis R. Patmont who made national news with his dramatic kidnapping in Illinois, which was supposedly exposed as a fraud by an Illinois newspaper. I am not convinced that West has his facts straight regarding Patmont, but he paints him in a negative light and is satisfied that the newspaper stories and rumors he quotes are indeed factual. [I have yet to learn of any criminal act or acts by Patmont, but the author takes them as a given.]
In spite of its flaws and ponderous reading (including several repetitions of text!) I learned useful information about the period and the churches of Christ stream of the Stone-Campbell restoration movement in particular -- downer not withstanding.
The book is indexed, but it is not a detailed index, as many names, places, and subjects are not included. show less
Having a Stone-Campbell religious heritage, I am able to keep track show more of the "good guys" and the "bad guys," but I expect it is extra confusing to outsiders. Using musical instruments in worship, located ministries, Sunday Schools, Christian Colleges, hymnals, hymnals with printed notes, and using one or multiple communion cups are just a few of the visible symbols that caused divisions.
It was troubling to read about missionaries who traveled abroad and were promised support by as many as 50 churches of Christ in the United States, only to discover that none delivered on their promise.
The author includes his take on the exploits of preacher Louis R. Patmont who made national news with his dramatic kidnapping in Illinois, which was supposedly exposed as a fraud by an Illinois newspaper. I am not convinced that West has his facts straight regarding Patmont, but he paints him in a negative light and is satisfied that the newspaper stories and rumors he quotes are indeed factual. [I have yet to learn of any criminal act or acts by Patmont, but the author takes them as a given.]
In spite of its flaws and ponderous reading (including several repetitions of text!) I learned useful information about the period and the churches of Christ stream of the Stone-Campbell restoration movement in particular -- downer not withstanding.
The book is indexed, but it is not a detailed index, as many names, places, and subjects are not included. show less
The Search for the Ancient Order: A History of tthe Restoration Movement, Vol. 2 : 1865-1906 by Earl Irvin West
A classic on the history of the Stone-Campbell religious heritage. Written from the perspective of the acappella church of Christ member.
Issues which drove a wedge in the Disciples of Christ brotherhool are discussed in depth. At the root of the matter is the role of silence in Scriptures. Some took silence to mean "No" and others took it to mean "Expediency."
Hence, societies, use of the musical instrument in worship, paid clergy, sunday schools, lesson aids, and other "human innovations" show more were used as cause for division -- at the expense of Christian unity.
The author also discusses how social, political, geographic, and personality issues played major roles in the eventual division between Disciples of Christ and churches of Christ.
The index is skimpy, although this is a "must have" book for those interested in the history of the American Restoration Movement. show less
Issues which drove a wedge in the Disciples of Christ brotherhool are discussed in depth. At the root of the matter is the role of silence in Scriptures. Some took silence to mean "No" and others took it to mean "Expediency."
Hence, societies, use of the musical instrument in worship, paid clergy, sunday schools, lesson aids, and other "human innovations" show more were used as cause for division -- at the expense of Christian unity.
The author also discusses how social, political, geographic, and personality issues played major roles in the eventual division between Disciples of Christ and churches of Christ.
The index is skimpy, although this is a "must have" book for those interested in the history of the American Restoration Movement. show less
The Search for the Ancient Order: A History of the Restoration Movement , Vol. 1: 1849-1865 by Earl Irvin West
This fine book is written from the perspective of a member of the churches of Christ. It is somewhat of a classic and finds itself frequently quoted in Stone-Campbell heritage histories.
The reader will find a good summary of the issues (and players) relating to societies (chap. 8 - "Early Efforts at Organization," chap. 9 - "The American Christian Missionary Society," and chap. 10. - Alexander Campbell and the Missionary Society").
A summary of the issues and interested persons relating to show more "Instrumental Music" (chap. 17) is very useful.
Civil War history buffs will appreciate chap. 18 - "The Chruch During the War."
In addition, the reader will appreciate the brief profiles of a number of early restoration leaders, in addition to Stone and A. Campbell, such as: Ben Franklin, Samuel Rogers, Tolbert Fanning, Jacob Creath, Jr., John T. Johnson, Phillip S. Fall, "Racoon" John Smith, W. C. Huffman, Moses E. Lard, John W. McGarvey, and others.
The development of institutions of higher education is reviewed in chap. 15. - "Educational Enterprises."
The book includes a number of photos. It also has a brief index. show less
The reader will find a good summary of the issues (and players) relating to societies (chap. 8 - "Early Efforts at Organization," chap. 9 - "The American Christian Missionary Society," and chap. 10. - Alexander Campbell and the Missionary Society").
A summary of the issues and interested persons relating to show more "Instrumental Music" (chap. 17) is very useful.
Civil War history buffs will appreciate chap. 18 - "The Chruch During the War."
In addition, the reader will appreciate the brief profiles of a number of early restoration leaders, in addition to Stone and A. Campbell, such as: Ben Franklin, Samuel Rogers, Tolbert Fanning, Jacob Creath, Jr., John T. Johnson, Phillip S. Fall, "Racoon" John Smith, W. C. Huffman, Moses E. Lard, John W. McGarvey, and others.
The development of institutions of higher education is reviewed in chap. 15. - "Educational Enterprises."
The book includes a number of photos. It also has a brief index. show less
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- Members
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- Rating
- 4.4
- Reviews
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- ISBNs
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