Over the past twenty-five years, the term evangelical has become almost a household word. But who are today's evangelicals? Kenneth J. Collins shows that the evangelical movement has never been a front for one particular Christian denomination. Rather, it is a broad movement that encompasses those of many Christian traditions, from Methodists to Presbyterians to Baptists. Collins believes that evangelicals can and should welcome increased cooperation with Catholic and Orthodox Christians on matters of shared concern. However, he believes that evangelicals must first come to terms with an increasingly diverse American religious landscape and forgo dreams of creating a "Christian America." The Evangelical Moment is an important book for any Christian who believes that the future health of American Christianity depends on evangelicalism recovering its prophetic voice.
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Kenneth J. Collins was born in New York City and was raised in an Irish Catholic family. His grandfather, Lawrence Collins, emigrated from Kilrush, County Claire at the beginning of the twentieth century. After living as a practical atheist throughout much of his college years, he had a life-transforming conversion experience upon reading the writings of John Wesley, eighteenth century British leader and founder of Methodism. He is Professor of Historical Theology and Wesley Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Evangelical Light,
This review is from: The Evangelical Moment: The Promise of an American Religion (Paperback)
The Evangelical Moment is an informative account of a complex and often misunderstood movement known as American evangelicalism. Kenneth Collins traces the roots of evangelicalism beyond its major identifying movements in America to events in the first-century Church. He engages the reader in the evangelical conversations that have defined its theological and sociological positions in a way that is easy to understand and easy to read. The image he presents of the intelligent, well-educated American evangelical is radically different from the ignorant bigot on the lunatic fringe most often portrayed by the media today. His chapter on "Evangelicals and Feminism" is a welcome ray of sunlight for any woman who has ever longed for scriptural community but felt her spirit 'bound and gagged' by oppressive teachings. As Collins points out, not all the problems for American evangelicalism have been solved, but the conversation is ongoing and his prognosis is good. This book is rich in information and inspiring in hope.
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Who are Evangelicals?,
This review is from: The Evangelical Moment: The Promise of an American Religion (Paperback)
Kenneth Collins presents a thorough examination of American Evangelicalism in this book, and those with varying degrees of knowledge about Evangelicalism will find it extremely helpful. This is a very readable presentation of the history, challenges, strengths and weaknesses of a movement that encompasses Christians from all denominations. Timely and encouraging is the treatment of Feminism and Evangelicalism. Collins advocates the power of God working through women as well as men to minister for the Lord. He calls for a balanced handling of Scripture through the illumination of the Holy Spirit. He asks probing questions that seek for integrity to Scripture and to the Living Word, Jesus Christ. American Evangelicalism is not just a doctrine but also a way of life. This way of life, through the power of Jesus Christ's atonement, has the power to radically change lives. I am encouraged about the position of evangelicals and their ability to face the challenges of a culture that is swiftly growing more spiritual and less Christian as time goes on.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
for those who seek a more tradiitonal Methodist voice,
By the eclectic extrovert (PA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Evangelical Moment: The Promise of an American Religion (Paperback)
I vacillated on whether to give this 4 stars or 5--when I first read through it, I recommended it to many, and got through it quickly. I have some minor objections, but he raises a more traditional perspective that, especially within the Methodist tradition (which receives special, though not exclusive, focus in the book) has become more and more neglected among more academic Wesleyans, though starting to make a comeback.
Collins challenges those who favor pushing evangelicalism, and Methodism in particular, more and more away from its distinctly evangelical roots. For example, he calls out Methodist academics who raise questions about fundamental points of Christian orthodoxy, and cites the Methodist Discipline to boldy suggest as that those in authority who do not accept standard doctrine should be kept from communion. Although this may lead to a kneejerk reaction by many, his argument for this is straightforward and fair--what does communion mean, if not an acceptance of the basic tenets of Christian orthodoxy? He also notes that many younger scholars have moved in a conservative direction (my own observations agree with this), because they have been astute enough to apply the hermeneutic of suspicion, or the critical method, back on these approaches themselves! It would be a mistake to see this as simply a conservative apologetic. His section on politics shows balance, and he remains aware of the central importance of the "social Gospel" to turn of the century Evangelicalism. He also defends women's ordination. I found his method here to be his main shortcoming, as he relies largely on experiential and anecdotal arguments, and doesn't address the more fundamental points of church tradition, apostolic succession, etc. that would be raised by traditional Catholic or Orthodox readers who would be otherwise sympathetic with his discussion. Speaking of which, he gives a fairly balanced discussion of Catholicism and Orthodoxy (important dialogue partners with Evangelcials these days), while standing once again for the distinctives of evangelicalism, without castigating these other traditions. Those who favor reading Wesley more in light of Anglo-Catholicism may find this to be more of "holiness" read on Methodism than a Wesleyan one, though Collins does give attention to sacramentology, etc. Once again, though, he doesn't address the strongest arguments these traditions make for their own distinctive views of works/grace, ecclesiology, etc. In that sense, he writes with a definite pro-Evangelical slant. In all, though, there is enough there to argue with, and plenty to agree with (if you are a fairminded reader), to make for a stimulating read.
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