After Evangelicalism: A Path to a New Christianity by
David P. Gushee is an examination into evangelicalism in the US as well as the
forces behind the massive exodus from evangelical churches and Christianity in
general. Mr. Gushee, a Christian ethicist and a self-described progressive
evangelical, offers a way forward for the disillusioned post-evangelicals by
providing a detailed analysis of what went wrong with US evangelicalism in
terms of identity, biblical interpretations, church life, sexuality, politics,
and race. His goal is to offer clues for getting out of the maze he calls
Evangelicalism and refocus on a relationship with Jesus. Arguing against the white,
male Christian leaders, Gushee sets to use biblical scripture and history to a
new way of Christian belief, belonging and behaving which includes all who want
to believe in Jesus and seek a relationship with him as he believes that
following Jesus out of Evangelical Christianity is not only possible but
necessary.
After Evangelicalism is the second book I’ve read by
Mr. Gushee and he offers a no-holds-bar investigation into the history of
evangelicalism in the US. Many Conservative Christians will not like this book
as they will see it as a direct attack on Christianity itself. And many liberal
Christians will see his proposals as a way true to Christianity as it should
be. As someone who left the evangelical church in my mid-20s, I found many of
his arguments against evangelicalism to be relatable. While I do not agree with
all his points, he makes a great argument against the rise of the prosperity
theology, which he condemns the main premise of the theology that God wants us
to be “wealthy, lovely and thin.” In After Evangelicalism, Gushee offers
an honest look into the history of the evangelical movement since the 1940s and
its failures as it pushed people away from Jesus, rather than drawing them to
him. If you find yourself disillusioned with the mega, mainstream church, I
recommend checking out After Evangelicalism.
After
Evangelicalism:
A Path to a New
Christianity
is available in paperback and audiobook
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