The American Evangelical Story: A History of the Movement

by Douglas A. Sweeney

Overview

The American Evangelical Story surveys the role American evangelicalism has had in the shaping of global evangelical history.

Author Douglas Sweeney begins with a brief outline of the key features that define evangelicals and then explores the roots of the movement in English Pietism and the Great Awakening of the eighteenth century. He goes on to consider the importance of missions in the development of evangelicalism and the continuing emphasis placed on evangelism. Sweeney next examines the different subgroups of American evangelicals and the current challenges faced by the movement, concluding with reflections on the future of evangelicalism.

Combining a narrative style with historical detail and insight, this accessible, illustrated book will appeal to readers interested in the history of the movement, as well as students of church history.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801026584
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/01/2005
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.44(d)

About the Author

Douglas A. Sweeney (Ph.D., Vanderbilt University) is associate professor of church history and the history of Christian thought and director of the Carl F. H. Henry Center for Theological Understanding at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Editorial Reviews

Intended for students, this short and sympathetic — although not uncritical — history of American evangelical religion serves admirably as a brisk and useful introduction to a vital subject. Helpful annotated bibliographies at the end of each chapter provide intelligent suggestions for further reading on specific topics. Although the book does not continue its story much past 1970 or wrestle with the theological support for racial segregation that continued until very recently, it does an excellent job of presenting the major events and personalities of the leading strands of American evangelicalism. Sweeney should be especially commended for trying to overcome the common tendency among evangelical intellectuals to give undue weight to "dead white male Calvinists." Sweeney's history is more inclusive, giving greater weight to those minorities, women, Arminians, Holinesses, and Pentecostals who have often had a greater impact on religious life. In placing great emphasis on the links between domestic evangelicals and foreign missions, Sweeney also highlights an area of particular importance to American foreign policy. Overall, this theologically insightful book will serve secular, non-Christian, and nonevangelical intellectuals especially as an excellent, if sometimes provocative, guide to an important and often misunderstood dimension of American life.

Foreign Affairs

Sweeney (church history, Trinity Evangelical Divinity Sch.) surveys the development of the American evangelical movement, including its European influences, from the 18th century's Great Awakening to today. Often called a folk religion without doctrinal platform, evangelism, as rooted in scriptural orthodoxy, has held significant sway in Christian mainline churches. It is currently growing among Latin American and African congregants. Sweeney underscores the historical diversity and challenges of evangelism and is particularly strong in delineating the lesser-known story of the movement among African Americans. Each chapter contains annotated suggestions for further reading, which enhances the book's use for seminary and college courses in religion. Sweeney also details major figures, both male and female, from Jonathan Edwards to Charles E. Fuller and Billy Graham, noting their contributions of renewal within the greater universal church. With a clear writing style, refreshingly modern text, and black-and-white photos, the book offers insightful perspectives on today's many evangelical denominations and is recommended for religious, academic, and public library collections.-Anna M. Donnelly, St. John's Univ. Lib., Jamaica, NY Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal