Most preachers can relate to the scenario wherein you find yourself desperately trying to convince an audience that faith in Christ means more than being a “good” person.
My favourite review of the Douthat book (confession: I follow Douthat in the New York Times and my university contemporary EJ Dionne in the Washington Post) in that it gives a proper Evangelical perspective which I fully share. Lots good about the book, lots wrong with it, but I see the book as half-full not half-empty. Of course Tim Keller is better, and Generation Z (whom I have the joy of teaching) need a different approach, but as Sam says it is perfect as a starting place for the Emmas of New York. Great to read such a nuanced and thoroughly Evangelical review
Thank you for this review. I've been considering reading the book, but excerpts I've read have made me hesitate. Sounds like it might be worth reading if only to better understand the Emmas that Douthat is writing to.
While I disagree with parts of your analysis... i do think the evangelical world has felt a strong need to "put down" the mystical as unreliable in order to hold a strong view of scripture.. failure to acknowledge the mystical will ultimately hurt the church
Given that the NYT usually feels 6-12 months behind the Very Online consensus, I'd say the book is arriving at just the right time in the vibe shift timeline.
I don't know if you're familiar with the book When the Church Was Young (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/128773634) by Ernest Loosley but 2 chapters have to do with what you're talking about here: the importance of personal testimony and spiritual experiences. It's a good (and short) read if for no other reason that to point out how much of our ideas about church are quite modern.
My favourite review of the Douthat book (confession: I follow Douthat in the New York Times and my university contemporary EJ Dionne in the Washington Post) in that it gives a proper Evangelical perspective which I fully share. Lots good about the book, lots wrong with it, but I see the book as half-full not half-empty. Of course Tim Keller is better, and Generation Z (whom I have the joy of teaching) need a different approach, but as Sam says it is perfect as a starting place for the Emmas of New York. Great to read such a nuanced and thoroughly Evangelical review
Great context for this read. I found if I checked my Baptist-Presbyterian-ish priors at the door it was much easier to take the book for what it was!
Thank you for this review. I've been considering reading the book, but excerpts I've read have made me hesitate. Sounds like it might be worth reading if only to better understand the Emmas that Douthat is writing to.
While I disagree with parts of your analysis... i do think the evangelical world has felt a strong need to "put down" the mystical as unreliable in order to hold a strong view of scripture.. failure to acknowledge the mystical will ultimately hurt the church
Given that the NYT usually feels 6-12 months behind the Very Online consensus, I'd say the book is arriving at just the right time in the vibe shift timeline.
I don't know if you're familiar with the book When the Church Was Young (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/128773634) by Ernest Loosley but 2 chapters have to do with what you're talking about here: the importance of personal testimony and spiritual experiences. It's a good (and short) read if for no other reason that to point out how much of our ideas about church are quite modern.