"After Evangelicalism" (David P. Gushee)

TITLE: After Evangelicalism: The Path to a New Christianity
AUTHOR: David P. Gushee
PUBLISHER: Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2020, (243 pages).

Ever since the election of Donald Trump as the President of the United States, the terms "evangelical" or "evangelicalism" has been treated with disdain. Sometimes, it has also become a derogatory term. Such negativity could be traced even further back a few decades. The moment evangelicals dabbled themselves with politics, it marks the beginning of the end of the marks of evangelicalism. In this book, author David Gushee writes for those who "used to be evangelicals," including himself. Quoting a 2014 Religious Landscape Study by PEW Research Center, about 8% of Americans who used to be associated with evangelicalism had switched to another faith persuasion. Young people are among the largest groups leaving evangelicalism. The reasons are varied. It ranges from something as wide as accusations of bigotry to factors as narrow as personal offenses. Gushee even gives out a sample test of 25 references to do an evangelical test. He then begins with his personal story why he left evangelicalism. More details can be found in his book "Still Christian." Calling himself starting as a "center-left," he rebelled against various traditional practices of the Southern Baptist conservative colleges, the biggest being his stand regarding LGBTQ. In fact, he sees a growing number who reflected his stance as a post-evangelical. What comes after this cultural definition of modern white American evangelicalism? Gushee gives us a vision of a "New Christianity." He covers three broad topics: 1) Authorities; 2) Theology; 3) Ethics; and tries to answer questions like:

• What is God's way forward for us (post-evangelicals)?
• What authorities do we listen to?
• What theological truths apply to our contexts today?
• How should we behave in the areas of sex, politics, and race?

Getting through these questions is like going through a "Hampton Court maze," referring to those post-evangelicals trying to make their way through the complicated environment of Christianity and culture. Gushee's vision is "Christian Humanism," a term he uses as a version of "orienting" our thoughts; to re-present Jesus in a way that is "compassionately realistic" about the human condition; in order to enable human flourishing, the way Jesus did for people. The first chapter describes the history of the evangelical movement as well as his own journey through it. He points out the challenges of nuancing the interpretation of the Bible. He even proposes to differentiate Martin Luther and Erasmus by saying the former was more interested in "the religious" while the latter "the human." In theology, Gushee lists six evangelical strands which shape his thinking. He seems to be particularly awed by "evangelical dissenters" who dare to question the normative interpretations of the faith. He takes time to differentiate the biblical Jesus from the White-Evangelical version. On Church, he notes the rising number of disillusioned people leaving the Church. The section on Ethics is most interesting, partly due to the author himself is an ethicist himself. He makes a curious statement about how evangelicalism has erred on the understanding of sex. Instead of sexual purity or sexual liberty, we need to avoid the error of discussion avoidance, a form of "one side to avoid erring on the other." He proposes a middle way called "covenant realism." In politics, he proposes a movement based on hope rather than fear; politics that are not earthly but grounded in the tradition of "Christian social teaching"; and of course, away from the Christian Right unflinching alliance with Trumpism. On race, he calls for the end of "white supremacism." 

My Thoughts

Reading this book makes me wonder: Is the evangelicalism label still valid today? How useful is it? Should we continue to use this? I am not sure if it is wise to jettison this label just because of abuses and negative connotations. If we do so, every time a scandal arises that associates itself with a particular word, should we give that word up altogether? I remember reading Dr J.I. Packer's work in "True Humanism" where Packer argues for a recovery of the word to its true roots. Using the same principle, one of the best descriptions of those who call themselves "Reformed" is this: "We are reformed but always reforming." I think evangelicalism needs to be reformed, one that would be more diverse, more progressive, and less culturally influenced. While Gushee no longer associates himself with the Americanized evangelicalism of today, he also avoids cutting ties totally with evangelicalism. Thus, he attaches the prefix "after" as a nice go-between, prior to his search for a "New Christianity." Let me offer three critical thoughts.

First, I sense Gushee might have overplayed his dissent. Not everyone in the supposedly "Christian Right" is supportive of everything they do. By lumping groups according to the different labels described, he has unwittingly pushed away those who happen to share his own views. The only problem is that they might not have the ability or position to express it in the way Gushee is able to. It is more accurate to say the "leaders" of so and so movements or groups. May laypeople are simply looking for a place to worship in a form they are familiar with. They do not particularly demonstrate against movements on their own. The leaders are the ones who pull the punches. 

Second, I believe that hurt people often tend to hurt back. Whether knowingly or unknowingly, hurt people need healing. Having read the author's personal struggles, there is a sense of injustice done to him, something that we might not have the benefit of context from the other parties. By claiming to write for those who want a new form of evangelicalism different from the ones we see now in America, I wonder how much "baby in the bathtub" have we thrown away. We are prone to reaction and over-reaction. This book will split readers in terms of how much they agree with the author's assessment. I myself am split. On the one hand, I empathize with Gushee's desire to carve a new way forward, devoid of the negative baggage of the past. On the other hand, I thought about the way he has described the First Baptist Community who had blessed him with a firm comradeship, and a refusal to let him leave them. Could he have done the same with his previous colleagues and friends? Rather than paving a new way, could he have reformed from within?

Finally, I want to add a more positive note. Gushee has pointed out major flaws in the modern evangelical movement. Sometimes, it takes a bold dissident to do exactly that. He is earnest about keeping the faith credible and to bring reformation to a movement tainted by politics, racism, sexual arrogance, and all manner of earthly ills. Whether one agrees with the author's conclusion or not, we should treat this book as an invitation to an open conversation. This book opens up the door for anyone who cares about the Church to come to the table and chat. Perhaps, this is the biggest reason to read this book. 

Dr. David P. Gushee (PhD, Union Theological Seminary, New York) is Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and Director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at Mercer University.

Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of Westminster John Knox Press and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.