If I am not mistaken there is a concerted attempt being made at present to redefine what it means to be an evangelical Christian. A number of prominent people around the world are trying to broaden the term, to encompass a variety of perspectives which were once quite alien to evangelical thought and practice.
Twenty years ago John Stott was able to define ‘Evangelicalism’ as authentic biblical Christianity, where thought and practice are shaped by God’s revelation of himself in a verbally inspired, infallible Scripture. Today a number of leading evangelical thinkers consider such a definition to be too narrow, too divisive, too doctrinaire. We are repeatedly warned of the danger of division and disintegration, and the need to be more inclusive in our ideas, our attitudes, and our practice.
Old fashioned ‘liberal Evangelicalism’ is trying to hijack the middle ground, and sadly the attempt is succeeding in many quarters. Download (pdf)
Tuesday 2 January 2007
Article (Churchman): Being clearly and positively evangelical
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Not sure John Stott used the word "infallible". I am pretty sure he prefers the term "trustworthy". Infallible is a mental thing to be argued over but not necessarily making a difference to our lives (and comes from the USA). Trustworthy is something to be lived by and obeyed and reflects Romans 4. We acquire a growing confidence in Scripture as we allow it to shape our lives and trust God to support us in our obedience. While Stott is concerned with doctrine, he is more concerned with how we live and how we shape our world. Books in loft is small house so can't go looking for chapter & verse.
Post a Comment