The Stone-Campbell Movement

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Alexander Campbell was arguably the most influential person within the Stone-Campbell Movement. Indeed, Barton W. Stone had a great impact on the Movement, but if historians were to bring up one name it would certainly be Alexander Campbell. His life is a testament to all on how much can be accomplished in one lifetime. The history of the Campbell 's family starts in Scotland with Thomas Campbell, Alexander 's father. Alexander Campbell was born in 1788 in Antrim County in northern Ireland. Thomas was raised an Anglican, but was later ordained in a Presbyterian Church in Scotland. Thomas Campbell moved to America (without his family) for health reasons in 1807. (Ency. Stone-Campbell Movement 117). While in America, he became …show more content…

Campbell throughout his life held on to his unwavering belief in reason. Granville T. Walker in his Preaching in the Thought of Alexander Campbell (1954), argues that his appeal to reason over emotional frenzy was "the answer to their honest search for the religious life and acceptance with God." (Ency. Stone-Campbell Movement xxiv). Alexander advance quickly in his early learning of the Bible, and a number of other subjects. "Well read in the classics as well as history, literature, philosophy, and religion . . . " (Ency. Stone-Campbell Movement 112). He was home schooled by his father and had a talent for memorization. His wit and well articulated sermons rose him to prominence and great influence in the Movement. Alexander didn 't sugar coat his messages and studied tirelessly for answers. He was also fair to the layman- in stark contrast to the Catholic Church. "He trusted the common person to comprehend his most seminal and profound concepts. He did not save his groundbreaking ideas for educators or the clergy . . . " (Ency. Stone-Campbell Movement 113). Indeed, this author believes that that 's the way lessons and sermons should be given. People ask any number of questions, and we all must be: ". . . ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;" (1 Pet 3:15b). Campbell saw unity as achievable if one would only go back to the Bible for