Influential ecumenical journal historically related to the Disciples of Christ. 

The Christian Century started as a local denominational publication speaking for Disciples of Christ in Des Moines, Iowa, and surrounding regions. In 1884 the journal’s first editor, D. R. Lucas, chose the name Christian Oracle and adopted the motto “Speak as the Oracles of God.” In the midst of financial difficulty, the periodical moved to Chicago in 1891 and found support from Herbert L. Willett, Edward Scribner Ames, and other Disciples leaders associated with the University of Chicago. Near the end of the century, Charles Clayton Morrison, a young Disciples minister, arrived in Chicago to serve a small West Side church. He quickly became connected with the small group of university-related Disciples supporting the magazine. 

These Chicago Disciples sought new ways to relate science to religion and adapted their own Christian presuppositions in light of their findings. Willett, one of the journal’s part-time editors, began to use the pages of the Christian Oracle to educate lay people about new scientific and historical developments in biblical scholarship. Like many Christians of their time, these Disciples believed America stood poised to play a significant role in the Christianization and elevation of the world. This viewpoint led to a change of name. Beginning with the first issue of 1900, the journal took the name The Christian Century. The new moniker arose from editorial confidence that “the coming century” was “to witness greater triumphs in Christianity than any previous century has ever witnessed.” Events early in the twentieth century challenged that optimism to the breaking point, but the name remained. 

In 1908 Morrison bought the magazine, and he became its editor for the next forty years. In 1917, after realizing that many new subscribers were not Disciples, Morrison added a new subtitle, “An Undenominational Journal of Religion.” Ever since, the Century has represented ecumenical Christianity in its struggle with the changing religious and cultural scene. As an independent weekly, the Century has consistently provided its readership with conscientious discussion of controversial issues. Its nondenominational status, ecumenical concern, and international focus have helped to maintain the loyalty of its readers. 

See also Disciples Divinity House; Morrison, Charles Clayton; Willett, Herbert Lockwood 

BIBLIOGRAPHY L. Delloff, M. Marty, D. Peerman, J. Wall, A Century of the CENTURY (1987) • Mark G. Toulouse, “CHRISTIAN CENTURY: History Front Pew,” Media History Digest (Spring-Summer 1989): 13-21.

 MARK G. TOULOUSE

Foster, Douglas A.. The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement (pp. 609-610). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.. Kindle Edition. 

This entry, written by Mark G. Toulouse, was originally published in The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement (Edited by Douglas A. Foster, Paul M. Blowers, Anthony L. Dunnavant, and D. Newell Williams; Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2004), pages 176. Republished with permission.