The Great Schism was a period in European history between 1378 and 1417 during which two and sometimes three people claimed to be the legitimate pope. The Great Schism began after several cardinals argued that the election of Pope Urban VI in 1378 had been coerced by a hostile mob in Rome. The cardinals subsequently elected a different, competing pope, Clement VII. Different rulers in Europe supported one of the two popes, usually due to political expediency more than religious sentiment or legal arguments. The Great Schism eventually ended with the election of a single pope, Martin V, in 1417; however, the power of the papacy was dealt an irrevocable blow.

Historical research involving the schism within the German Baptist Brethren Church in the 1880s has only been found within broad, general histories of the church. The explanations given by historians relating to the cause of the split have previously centered on individuals and the church publications between 1850 and 1883, and on contemporaries who argued among themselves about whether to adopt practices common among surrounding American religions and society. No known project has focused directly on the content within the publications as it relates to the way these brethren used the Bible and other religious and spiritual rhetoric to substantiate their arguments on either side. My research focussed on the Brethren periodicals during the decades between roughly 1850 and 1880. I selected four of the most prominent papers of the period: the Gospel Visitor, the Christian Family Companion, the Vindicator, and the Progressive Christian. Each of these periodicals contained arguments for or against adopting practices not previously accepted within the church. Within their pages I found that every argument, for or against a particular practice, was based on scriptural interpretation, or other religious commentary used to persuade readers.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on April 17, 2009) Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (J.C.L.)--Catholic University of America, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 55-61).

Thesis (J.C.L.)--Catholic University of America, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 55-61).

Thesis (J.C.L.)--Catholic University of America, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 55-61).

Thesis (Th. M.)--Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 69-71).

Thèse--Université de Paris. / "Bibliographie": p. [i]-xvi.

Thesis (Th. M.)--Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 69-71).

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