Publication Date
12-1999
Degree Granted
Ph.D.
Institution Granting Degree
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Keywords
Pastoral, Evangelism, Ministries, Army of Northern Virginia, Dickinson, Alfred Elijah, Broadus, John Albert, Jones, John William, Virginia
Abstract
The purpose of this dissertation is to present the effectiveness of a pastoral evangelism methodology. John Albert Broadus, Alfred Elijah Dickinson, and John William Jones exemplified this methodology while ministering in the camps of the Army of Northern Virginia.
Chapter one explains the research parameters and introduces the historical epoch of Broadus's, Dickinson's, and Jones's army camp ministry. The revival occurred at the end of a transitional period in American revivalism. The chapter surveys sociological, theological, and denominational events in the period 1840-1861 which influenced the men's formation in ministry. This covers the period of the childhood of Broadus, Dickinson, and Jones to the outbreak of hostilities.
Chapter two surveys the revival in the Army of Northern Virginia. The chapter discusses the factors present in the army camps that aided and inhibited the revival. These factors were present throughout the war to varying degrees. However, after the battle of Gettysburg and the Army of Northern Virginia's repositioning along the Rapidan River the revival intensified with the coordinated efforts of revival supporters. Broadus, Dickinson, and Jones played key roles in denominational and interdenominational efforts beyond their direct evangelistic activities to the Confederate soldiers. This overview presents the revival as a whole allowing the reader to understand the men's role in the revival. Also of importance is the "church in exile." Christian soldiers facing a long separation from their home churches developed a covenant relationship with fellow soldiers. This "church in exile" aided the spiritual consistency of the soldiers and provided a foundation for the evangelistic efforts of the soldiers. This "church in exile" provided a familiar setting to the clergy accustomed to pastoral ministry and evangelism.
Chapter three presents the biographical briefs of Broadus, Dickinson, and Jones. The biographies highlight events that helped form the men's philosophy of pastoral ministry and evangelism. The lives of Broadus, Dickinson, and Jones intertwined throughout their ministries.
Broadus's, Dickinson's, and Jones's activities during the year 1863 is the subject of chapter four. Dickinson and Jones began 1863 expecting the revival to intensify. Due to their philosophies of ministry the procurement of men with pastoral experience was of utmost importance for the revival effort. Foremost on their list of pastors was John A. Broadus. They led an extensive campaign to recruit him for the summer of 1863 and tried to engage him for long term service in the camps. All three men were involved in the camp ministry during the period of July through September 1863. In the camp setting the men followed their pastoral evangelism methodologies which is evident in published reports.
Chapter five will present the conclusions gained from Broadus's, Dickinson's, and Jones's ministries concerning their evangelistic ministries. Attention will be given to the role of the "church in exile." Applications will be offered for contemporary pastoral evangelism.
Recommended Citation
Brown, William E., "Pastoral Evangelism: A Model for Effective Evangelism as Demonstrated by the Ministries of John Albert Broadus, Alfred Elijah Dickinson, and John William Jones in the Revival of the Army of Northern Virginia in 1863" (1999). Faculty Dissertations. 87.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/fac_dis/87
