Progressive Evangelicals and the Pursuit of Social Justice

by Brantley W. Gasaway

In this compelling history of progressive evangelicalism, Brantley Gasaway examines a dynamic though often overlooked movement within American Christianity today. Gasaway focuses on left-leaning groups, such as Sojourners and Evangelicals for Social Action, that emerged in the early 1970s, prior to the rise of the more visible Religious Right. He identifies the distinctive "public theology--a set of biblical interpretations regarding the responsibility of Christians to promote social justice--that has animated progressive evangelicals' activism and bound together their unusual combination of political positions.

The book analyzes how prominent leaders, including Jim Wallis, Ron Sider, and Tony Campolo, responded to key political and social issues over the past four decades. Progressive evangelicals combated racial inequalities, endorsed feminism, promoted economic justice, and denounced American nationalism and militarism. At the same time, most leaders opposed abortion and refused to affirm homosexual behavior, even as they defended gay civil rights. Gasaway demonstrates that, while progressive evangelicals have been caught in the crossfire of partisan conflicts and public debates over the role of religion in politics, they have offered a significant alternative to both the Religious Right and the political left.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Christianity

336 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2014

Reviews

[Edie Asbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book introduced me to a lesser known type of evangelicalism from an historical perspective. It addresses my growing skepticism for the conservative evangelical movement while focusing on the bigger picture of Christians caring about all types of pro-life issues and justice for the oppressed. Though finding agreement on how to handle the issues of racism, nonviolence, biblical feminism, poverty, and sexual identity can be challenging when evangelicals have differing views, it serves as a reminder to me to take every opportunity to make a difference on a personal level within my sphere of influence, and to think carefully about who or what I support.