Description
Book SynopsisEvangelicalism has outpaced mainline Protestantism to encompass more than a third of American adults and nearly half of all U.S. Christians. This volume offers unique insight into evangelical culture, spirituality, theology, politics, and ethnicity, revealing a vibrant and controversial movement’s dynamism as well as its significant challenges.
Trade ReviewAny educated reader would do well to start with The Future of Evangelicalism in America for an understanding of what evangelicalism is, where it came from, and how it is changing. This important and useful book will make a significant contribution to our understanding of American evangelicalism. -- Barry Hankins, Baylor University This book is as timely as it is valuable. The distinguished group of authors offers a diverse and wide-ranging scholarly analysis of the state of evangelicalism in American culture and politics. At the same time, they root their perceptions in solid historical scholarship, and a strong awareness of theological dilemmas. The resulting collection is rewarding, and provocative. -- Philip Jenkins, Baylor University American evangelicalism is changing, as it has always done to try to adapt to and influence its evolving environments and constituencies. This volume smartly maps out the most significant aspects of evangelical change today--combining important historical context, analyses of current evidence, and well-informed projections into the future--to provide an essential guide to recent developments in this important religious movement. -- Christian Smith, University of Notre Dame The thoughtful, well-informed, wide-ranging, and up-to-date chapters of this book offer an excellent introduction to contemporary American evangelicals. Of special note is the skill with which authors and editor Candy Gunther Brown chart the great diversity among evangelical Protestant movements that nonetheless remain identifiably linked by their adherence to the Bible, their commitment to personal Christian conversion. and their adaptability within contemporary culture. -- Mark Noll, University of Notre Dame An excellent introduction to contemporary American Evangelicalism... Highly recommended. Choice
Table of ContentsSeries Editors' Introduction: The Future of Religion in America, by Mark Silk and Andrew Walsh Introduction, by Candy Gunther Brown 1. American Evangelicalism: Character, Function, and Trajectories of Change, by Michael S. Hamilton 2. Sound, Style, Substance: New Directions in Evangelical Spirituality, by Chris R. Armstrong 3. The Emerging Divide in Evangelical Theology, by Roger E. Olson 4. Evangelicals, Politics, and Public Policy: Lessons from the Past, Prospects for the Future, by Amy E. Black 5. The Changing Face of Evangelicalism, by Timothy Tseng Conclusion, by Candy Gunther Brown Appendix A: American Religious Identification Survey: Research Design Appendix B: American Religious Identification Survey: Future of Religion in America Survey Appendix C: American Religious Identification Survey: Typology of Religious Groups List of Contributors Index
