In the latest issue of Anvil (vol. 16, no. 2), David Bebbington (a leading historian of evangelicalism) writes the lead article “Evangelical Trends, 1959-2009” (pp. 93–106), focusing on Britain, where over the years he sees a “decline in anti-Catholicism, Keswick teaching, premillennial eschatology, traditional missionary-mindedness and internal unity.” On the other hand, evangelicals grew as a proportion of their denominations, broadened their views, acquired ecumenical interest, and witnessed growth in the Reformed, charismatic, and black church sectors. Divisive gender and socio-political issues arose.
Open Evangelicals were generally much happier with contemporary approaches to biblical hermeneutics than members of Reform; charismatic churches were more likely to run Alpha courses while Reform favored Christianity Explored; there was normally a much more structured liturgy in an open than in a charismatic congregation; and so on. Underlying the differences […] was a more fundamental cultural orientation. Reform [I’m construing this as I would “Reformed”] promoted a logo-centric modernity, stressing accurate teaching, efficient ecclesiastical structures and resistance to contemporary fashions for the sake of the gospel. Charismatics embraced a postmodern delight in variety, authenticity and relevance to felt needs. The open grouping welcomed insights from the modern and the postmodern, being deliberately eclectic. Attitudes to cultural change fostered markedly contrasting stances. The former unity of Evangelicalism had been broken. (pp. 104–105)
In the same issue, “Britain Today: How we came to be here and what we can do about it” (pp. 107–122) by Michael Nazir-Ali looks especially at “the state of the family, the rise of homemade spiritualities and the phenomenon of scientific reductionism” (p. 107).
[The author then] sets out a vision for how the church can serve the nation by reversing our amnesia about our Christian heritage (especially in education), bringing Christian values and virtues into the public sphere and the marketplace, making our worship visible, and renewing our commitment to mission and evangelism rooted in friendship and witness. (p. 107)
Other articles deal with vibrant Anglicanism in Africa and with an analysis of the Church of England and ways to turn around its decline. Both articles have broader application. Abstracts for all the articles can be found on Anvil’s website.

Recent Comments