Evangelicalism & the Future of Christianity

by Alister E. McGrath

Alister McGrath's confidence in evangelicalism is infectious, moving his readers to believe with him that this movement may "hold the key to the future of Western Christianity."
But McGrath is aware of evangelicalism's weaknesses, especially its lack of appreciation for history and its own spiritual heritage. He proposes, then, ways for the movement to address its weaknesses and capitalize on its strengths.

Genres: Christian, Theology

209 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1995

About the author

Alister Edgar McGrath is a Northern Irish theologian, priest, intellectual historian, scientist, and Christian apologist. He currently holds the Andreas Idreos Professorship in Science and Religion in the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Oxford, and is Professor of Divinity at Gresham College. He was previously Professor of Theology, Ministry, and Education at King's College London and Head of the Centre for Theology, Religion and Culture, Professor of Historical Theology at the University of Oxford, and was principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, until 2005. He is an Anglican priest and is ordained within the Church of England.

Aside from being a faculty member at Oxford, McGrath has also taught at Cambridge University and is a Teaching Fellow at Regent College. McGrath holds three doctorates from the University of Oxford, a DPhil in Molecular Biophysics, a Doctor of Divinity in Theology and a Doctor of Letters in Intellectual History.

McGrath is noted for his work in historical theology, systematic theology, and the relationship between science and religion, as well as his writings on apologetics. He is also known for his opposition to New Atheism and antireligionism and his advocacy of theological critical realism. Among his best-known books are The Twilight of Atheism, The Dawkins Delusion?: Atheist Fundamentalism and the Denial of the Divine, Dawkins' God: Genes, Memes, and the Meaning of Life, and A Scientific Theology. He is also the author of a number of popular textbooks on theology.

Reviews

[Jared Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning more about what the evangelical movement is and how it has manifested itself. McGrath uses several comparisons and plenty of examples to articulate the emphases and distinctives evangelicalism contributes to Christianity.
I feel some concern though with the author’s commitment to the growth and influence of the evangelical movement. The positive emphases within Christianity that the movement fosters ought not to be seen as ideologies, but rather what they are - positive emphases. If the object of the Christian faith becomes a movement within that faith, then Christ looses his place. Also, he demonstrates a fascinating level of affinity with Luther and Calvin.
Still worth the read.

[Arnold hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very informative. The author talks about the good and bad about evangelicalism. He talks about how and when it started.

On the back cover, it states, "The future seems to beckon to evangelicalism.
Writes Alister McGrath, a theologian of leading stature in both England and North America.
In contrast to doomsayers who see a bleak tomorrow for Christianity. Mcgrath looks ahead with hope.
Much of that hope, he believes, rests on evangelicalism-thought to be nearly extinct just decades ago but now marked by evangelistic success and a growing intellectual presence.
In this important book, McGrath examines not only the movement's strengths but also its weaknesses(such as the cult of personality and the neglect of spiritual heritage.) Then, in bold and insightful strokes, he suggests how the church should move into the twenty-first century."

written by Christianity Today

[Trevor Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long time since I read this but found it very helpful to get me thinking about the trajectories of evangelicalism.

[Benjamin Shurance · Rating 2 out of 5]

It feels a bit old now, having ben published 11 years ago.