American Evangelicalism
Embattled and Thriving
9780226764191
9780226229225
American Evangelicalism
Embattled and Thriving
Evangelicalism is one of the strongest religious traditions in America today; 20 million Americans identify themselves with the evangelical movement. Given the modern pluralistic world we live in, why is evangelicalism so popular?
Based on a national telephone survey and more than three hundred personal interviews with evangelicals and other churchgoing Protestants, this study provides a detailed analysis of the commitments, beliefs, concerns, and practices of this thriving group. Examining how evangelicals interact with and attempt to influence secular society, this book argues that traditional, orthodox evangelicalism endures not despite, but precisely because of, the challenges and structures of our modern pluralistic environment. This work also looks beyond evangelicalism to explore more broadly the problems of traditional religious belief and practice in the modern world.
With its impressive empirical evidence, innovative theory, and substantive conclusions, American Evangelicalism will provoke lively debate over the state of religious practice in contemporary America.
Based on a national telephone survey and more than three hundred personal interviews with evangelicals and other churchgoing Protestants, this study provides a detailed analysis of the commitments, beliefs, concerns, and practices of this thriving group. Examining how evangelicals interact with and attempt to influence secular society, this book argues that traditional, orthodox evangelicalism endures not despite, but precisely because of, the challenges and structures of our modern pluralistic environment. This work also looks beyond evangelicalism to explore more broadly the problems of traditional religious belief and practice in the modern world.
With its impressive empirical evidence, innovative theory, and substantive conclusions, American Evangelicalism will provoke lively debate over the state of religious practice in contemporary America.
324 pages | 1 map, 30 tables | 6 x 9 | © 1998
Religion: Religion and Society
Sociology: Social Institutions
Table of Contents
List of Tables and Maps
Preface
1: Resurrecting Engaged Orthodoxy
2: Evangelicalism Thriving
3: Explaining Religious Vitality in America
4: Toward a "Subcultural Identity" Theory of Religious Strength
5: Evangelicalism Embattled
6: Excursus: Belief Plausibility in Modern America
7: Ironies of Subcultural Distinction - Strength and Ineffectiveness
Conclusion
App. A: Research Methods
App. B: On Religious Identities
App. C: Interview Guides
App. D: Telephone Survey
References
Index
Preface
1: Resurrecting Engaged Orthodoxy
2: Evangelicalism Thriving
3: Explaining Religious Vitality in America
4: Toward a "Subcultural Identity" Theory of Religious Strength
5: Evangelicalism Embattled
6: Excursus: Belief Plausibility in Modern America
7: Ironies of Subcultural Distinction - Strength and Ineffectiveness
Conclusion
App. A: Research Methods
App. B: On Religious Identities
App. C: Interview Guides
App. D: Telephone Survey
References
Index