Changes

Germans brought many different religions with them. The largest numbers were Catholic or Lutheran, although the Lutherans were themselves split several ways. The more conservative groups comprised the [[Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod]] and the [[Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod]]. Other Lutherans formed a complex checkerboard of synods, most of which in 1988 merged, along with Scandinavian synods, into the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]]. Still other German Protestants were not Lutherans but were descendants of the united "Evangelical Church" in Germany. They created the Reformed denomination (especially strong in New York and Pennsylvania), and the Evangelical denomination (strongest in the Midwest). The Evangelical and Reformed groups are now part of the [[United Church of Christ]]. Many immigrants joined quite different churches from those in Germany, especially the [[Methodist]] church.  

Germans brought many different religions with them. The largest numbers were Catholic or Lutheran, although the Lutherans were themselves split several ways. The more conservative groups comprised the [[Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod]] and the [[Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod]]. Other Lutherans formed a complex checkerboard of synods, most of which in 1988 merged, along with Scandinavian synods, into the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]]. Still other German Protestants were not Lutherans but were descendants of the united "Evangelical Church" in Germany. They created the Reformed denomination (especially strong in New York and Pennsylvania), and the Evangelical denomination (strongest in the Midwest). The Evangelical and Reformed groups are now part of the [[United Church of Christ]]. Many immigrants joined quite different churches from those in Germany, especially the [[Methodist]] church.  

Swiss-born Philip Schaff (1819-93) became a leading theologian and church historian in America. He returned often to Europe after his 1844 emigration to the U.S. Schaff's life was remarkably consistent and resilient; as he emigrated, he absorbed a moderate many American traits, adapting to the new world culture with ease, but maintained close intellectual and social ties with Germany. Schaff formulated a developmental, organic, providential view of history and a unique mediating evangelical theology that accommodated such figures as Hegel and [[Schleiermacher]], tolerated liberal positions, yet remained nevertheless orthodox and fundamentalistic.<ref> Gary Keith Pranger, "Philip Schaff (1819-1893): Portrait of an Immigrant Theologian."  PhD dissertation U. of Illinois, Chicago 1987. 427 pp.  DAI 1988 48(9): 2437-A. DA8726098  Fulltext: [[ProQuest Dissertations & Theses]]</ref>

Swiss-born Philip Schaff (1819-93) became a leading theologian and church historian in America. He returned often to Europe after his 1844 emigration to the U.S. Schaff's life was remarkably consistent and resilient; as he emigrated, he absorbed a moderate many American traits, adapting to the new world culture with ease, but maintained close intellectual and social ties with Germany. Schaff formulated a developmental, organic, providential view of history and a unique mediating evangelical theology that accommodated such figures as [[Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel|Hegel]] and [[Schleiermacher]], tolerated liberal positions, yet remained nevertheless orthodox and fundamentalistic.<ref> Gary Keith Pranger, "Philip Schaff (1819-1893): Portrait of an Immigrant Theologian."  PhD dissertation U. of Illinois, Chicago 1987. 427 pp.  DAI 1988 48(9): 2437-A. DA8726098  Fulltext: [[ProQuest Dissertations & Theses]]</ref>

   

   

[[File:Luther1850.jpg|thumb|320px| 1850 census map shows rural Lutheran population. Nearly all were German since few Scandinavians had arrived yet.]]

[[File:Luther1850.jpg|thumb|320px| 1850 census map shows rural Lutheran population. Nearly all were German since few Scandinavians had arrived yet.]]