I'm proud to be an evangelical. I think we do many things well. Some will roll their eyes with those first two statements. Why? Criticizing evangelicalism is fashionable and evangelicals have joined the fashion, sometimes with apocalyptic fervor. I wonder if the relentless critique of (sometimes hard-headed) evangelical pastors, theologians, and authors - not to mention blogs and internet sites - is not the place we ought to urge the beginnings of reform. I'm sure that most critics have their heart in the right place: they want evangelicalism to be more biblical and more robust. (I hope I do in my own critiques.) This is what I mean:
(Just in case you are looking for a good, readable sketch of the history of evangelicalism in the USA, look at Doug Sweeney's book, American Evangelical Story, The: A History of the Movement
.)Some evangelicals think evangelicalism is not Reformed enough and has completely lost touch with its Reformed roots. Some think evangelicalism ignores its Wesleyan heritage, and it would not be hard to find an evangelical survey that omits John Wesley. Some think we have fallen prey to political parties. Others think we need to recover the liturgy and a lectionary, while others think we need to re-embrace the lost heritage of the Great Traditions of the classic creeds. Some think evangelicals have forfeited intellectual rigor as a populist movement, while others think evangelicals have become far too theological, creedal, and intellectual. Some think we have failed to preach prophetic texts and have lost enthusiasm for the Second Coming while others disparage every attempt even to mention such literalism. Some think we'd be much better if we were all charismatic, while others think charismatics are not real evangelicals. Some think we need to be more socially active while others raise the red flag of the social gospel.
Some think evangelicalism is a half-dead corpse and the only way forward is the emerging movement while others think the emerging movement is dancing with the devil. Some think seeker services are the cat's meow and others the end before the end. The worship wars gets at least two responses: a hearty, dismissive "Get over it!" and a "Dig your heels in because if we give in here we will slide down the slippery slope!" For some prohibiting entrance of women into ministry is the litmus test for fidelity while for others it's so utterly obvious that opposition is Luddite. One more: some today are drawing swords of the affirmation of complementarian male-female relationships in the home and in the church while for others it is as simple as "times have changed."
Well, yes, we can always do better. But I've got a question for you: What do you think (we) evangelicals do well? I will mention a few - more could be listed - but I am asking you to speak up in the comments because this is a post for evangelicalism.
We are good at being properly ecumenical. Evangelicalism is a movement and not a denomination. We align ourselves with others - all others in fact - who embrace the gospel. Because of this conviction, evangelicals are found working across denominational lines, forming parachurch organizations united around a common gospel theology, and joining hands in public with those who want to work with us. A genuine evangelical transcends her or his denomination in the unity only the gospel can bring. Think Christianity Today and John Stott.
We are good at urging everyone to experience the new birth. The irreducible minimum of evangelicalism is the gospel and the need to respond to the gospel and the work of God in the new birth. So, we preach the gospel and we evangelize with a goal in mind: the new birth. We pray that God will anoint our lives and our words so that others might be born from above. Think Billy Graham and the urgings of youth leaders.
We are good at the importance of theology. Evangelicals believe the Bible and in the hard-fought conclusions of Christian orthodoxy and we believe those ideas really do matter. What we believe is more than what we happen to think. We believe the truth of God can be put into living statements for our day. Think Carl Henry and our publishing houses.
We are good at the need for personal transformation. Evangelicals expect Christians to be good and to be holy and to be loving and, if they are not, there's something wrong. We stare at the pages of the Bible that call for moral transformation in the power of the Spirit and we believe it can happen today. Think Dallas Willard and the spiritual formation movement.
Yes, we can do better - I wish a recognizable woman's name would have come to mind for each of these categories - but we are doing well.
What do you think we do well? Here's the test: Can you affirm what we are doing well without saying one critical word? Try it. I think we'd all like to hear what you have to say.
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When I think of Evangelicals, I think of deep roots going back to the Reformation and a recovery of biblically centered spirituality, and I think of the vibrant personal emphasis of Pietism, the social engagement of Wilberforce and the Clapham Community, the pioneering missionary efforts of figures like William Carey, and the creation of voluntary societies that allowed Xians to mobilize in powerful ways. In its more modern incarnation, I think of a movement that continues to emphasize the importance of personal faith, as well as a concern with being culturally engaged.
Great post and great comments. Makes me appreciate more both my heritage and where I am in the church, in spite of the weaknesses.
I think it has improved much over the years, though my association with Prairie Bible Institute in Alberta, Canada brought out the strengths of our evangelical heritage quite strongly, and PBI seems to have gotten only better over the years.
But this is a great heads up to me, Scot, and an encourager, really. For all our deficiencies and problems, there is so much good and so much to be thankful for.
I should list something: Just our emphasis on Scripture as being central for our faith and practice- and that we see it as and call it, the word of God. Of course it leads us to where our faith needs to be centered- God in Christ.
RE What do Evangelicals do well?
Although the Church was not referring only to the subset of Protestants know as Evangelicals, I think that the observations of the 2nd Vatican Council would apply:
~They look to Christ as the source and center of Church unity.
~Their longing for union with Christ inspires them to seek an ever closer unity, and also to bear witness to their faith among the peoples of the earth.
~They love and reverence Sacred Scripture which might be described as devotion, leading them to a constant meditative study of the sacred text.
~While invoking the Holy Spirit, they seek in these very Scriptures God as it were speaking to them in Christ.
~They contemplate in the Scriptures the life of Christ and what the Divine Master taught and did for our salvation, especially the mysteries of His death and resurrection.~
When they commemorate His death and resurrection in the Lord's Supper, they profess that it signifies life in communion with Christ and look forward to His coming in glory.
~Their daily Christian life is nourished by their faith in Christ.
~Their faith shows itself in private prayer, meditation on the Bible, in Christian family life, and in the worship of a community gathered together to praise God.
~Their faith in Christ bears fruit in praise and thanksgiving for the blessings received from the hands of God.
~Among them is a strong sense of justice and a true charity toward their neighbor.
~Their active faith has been responsible for many organizations for the relief of spiritual and material distress, the furtherance of the education of youth, the improvement of the social conditions of life, and the promotion of peace throughout the world.
~They share our desire to stand by the words of Christ as the source of Christian virtue.
Adapted from Unitatis Redintegratio (1964)
My tuppence worth: (do you Americans know about tuppences? :))
Historic orthodoxy - evangelicalism at its best is no novelty but in continuity with all the creeds of the Church catholic
Good News - At the heart of the movement is a shared experience of the goodness, love and grace of God, shaped by a shared theology
Cultural engagement - contrary to fundamentalism's retreat from culture. Most evangelicals i know are passionate about engaging with the world they live in.
Radicalism - at its best, it is a movement for reform, self-questioning, spiritual renewal and a suspicion of dead traditionalism.
Patrick
PS I prefer 'evangelical Christian' where evangelical is more an adjective rather than as a noun 'evangelical' - which rather leaves Jesus out of the picture.
We keep the faith very well.
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