The Complete Idiot's Guide to Evangelical Christianity (Paperback)

by D, Min., David Cobia (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The word on spreading the word …

The Evangelical Christian movement is the fastest growing segment of American religion with 42% of all Christians in America identifying themselves as Evangelicals. Now, Evangelical Pastor David Cobia shares the genesis, history, and culture of this religion in America with a balanced, accessible tone. He also touches upon the controversies it’s spawned regarding such topics as school curriculum, abortion, gay rights, and family structure. Written both for those inside the movement and those wanting to know more, it gives a clear, factual portrait of what this growing Christian movement is all about.

--Balanced, positive yet objective tone and presentation of information
--Provides a complete history of the movement, details about specific services and rituals, and interviews with Evangelical Christians about their beliefs and lifestyles
--Discusses controversial topics and how Evangelical Christians feel about them

About the Author
David Cobia is the lead pastor at BayMarin Community Church and has been a Christian Evangelical minister for nearly 20 years. He has earned a Master’s degree in Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a doctorate of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Alpha (April 3, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592575862
• ISBN-13: 978-1592575862
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 7.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #371,666 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clearing away the fog, August 14, 2007

By	Dieter Zander (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

With so much misunderstanding and angst swirling around the term "evangelical" Mr. Cobia takes on a huge challenge - to define and illustrate evangelicalism's roots, beliefs, and practices. This is a most helpful manual for those don't know, and perhaps even more helpful for those who think they know, what an evangelical is.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well informed, thoughtful, and inspiring!, July 18, 2007

By	Ivy Reader - See all my reviews

An excellent resource for skeptic and non-skeptic alike. Well researched and very readable, a one-volume primer on this vast subject. In addition to a plethora of information, the book is full of real life stories and anecdotes that illustrate the point of view of both believers and non-believers with regard to various issues related to evangelicalism today. Don't let the title fool you -- this is a very substantive read. Bonus: the author has a great sense of humor.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When the Truth is More Compelling Than Fiction, August 19, 2007

By	Patrick S. Mcdougall (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Evangelical Christianity is unique because it offers the reader an objective perspective regarding the history of Christianity in this country. Dr. Cobia goes out of his way to recount the good, the bad and the ugly as it pertains to the church in America, but more importantly he educates both the faithful and the skeptical about the core beliefs of those Americans who have - for the past 400 years - built their lives on the life and teaching of Jesus. It is an amazing history which must be understood by anyone who wants to engage in an honest and intelligent dicussion about the role of faith in this country.