Understanding Fundamentalism and Evangelicalism

by George Marsden

Overview

In this historical overview of American fundamentalism and evangelicalism, Marsden provides an introduction to the growing religious movements and a deeper analysis of two themes that have been especially prominent and controversial in these traditions — views of science and views of politics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802805393
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	12/01/1990
Edition description:	Reprinted
Pages:	220
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.55(d)

About the Author

George M. Marsden is Francis A. McAnaney Profess Emeritus of History at the University of Notre Dame. Among his many books is Jonathan Edwards: A Life, named one of ten "Books of the Year" for 2003 by Atlantic Monthly and winner of the prestigious Bancroft Prize in history (2004) and the Grawemeyer Award in religion (2005).

Table of Contents

Introduction: Defining Fundamentalism and Evangelicalism

PART ONE: HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

1. The Protestant Crisis and the Rise of Fundamentalism, 1870-1930
2. Evangelicalism since 1930: Unity and Diversity

PART TWO: INTERPRETATIONS

3. Evangelical Politics: An American Tradition
4. Preachers of Paradox: Fundamentalist Politics in Historical Perspective
5. The Evangelical Love Affair with Enlightenment Science
6. Why Creation Science?
7. Understanding J. Gresham Machen

Index

Editorial Reviews

Christian Scholar's Review
"In the history-of-fundamentalism business, George Marsden remains on top."

Interpretation
"The work will be useful as a supplementary textbook. The clarity, organization, and detail of Marsden's opening historical overview provide excellent introduction to an extraordinarily lively subject."

Choice
"There is perhaps no one better able to facilitate an understanding of American Protestant fundamentalism and evangelicalism than George Marsden. . . The volume provides a helpful introduction to and interpretation of the Protestant fundamentalist movement of the 20th century and the evangelicalism that grew out of that movement. . . Marsden is successful in communicating his research and interpretations in a style that is clear and readable, even for those with little background in the subject. Recommended for both academic and public libraries."

Religious Studies Review
"It can serve as a review for specialists in the field and as a wonderful introduction for those who are not. Professors can put it into the hands of undergraduates with the confidence that they will profit from it."

Library Journal
"Anyone who is interested in this rapidly growing element in today's society will want to read this excellent analysis. Recommended for academic and public libraries."

From the Publisher

Marsden (American church history, Duke Univ.), who is considered an expert on fundamentalism, here looks at the interrelated movements of fundamentalism and evangelicalism. Part 1 gives a readable and informative overview of the rise of fundamentalism from 1870 on. It then examines evangelicalism as a separate phenomenon. Part 2 deals primarily with the views held by these groups on politics and science with a special analysis of why creation science is so important to them. This section also includes a close look at the career of J. Gresham Machen, a controversial fundamentalist scholar of the early 20th century. The author is especially good at showing the development of the conservative versus liberal controversy and the surprising appeal of modern fundamentalism for our technological age. Anyone who is interested in understanding this rapidly growing element in today's society will want to read this excellent analysis. Recommended for academic and public libraries.-- C. Robert Nixon, M.L.S., Lafayette, Ind.

Library Journal