"Evangelical Idolatry" (Jeff Mikels)

TITLE: Evangelical Idolatry: How Pastors Like Me Have Failed the People of God
AUTHOR: Jeff Mikels
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2025, (256 pages).
 

Why are there so many people who were baptized but not growing as Christians in daily life? Why are Church people ready to discuss love but not demonstrate it on social media? Why do people trust Fox News more than the words of Jesus? If Christians preach love thy neighbour, why is it not seen more frequently in daily interactions? From social media to politics, pastor Jeff Mikels shares three events that led to personal changes from hope to disappointment:  Donald Trump's impeachment trial, the pandemic, and the murder of George Floyd. All three events touch on the sensitivities surrounding politics, race, and religion. He encounters deeper discouragement and disillusion as he tries to change his messaging to adapt to the changing environment. Dealing with cultures, and increasingly subcultures are damaging to Church health. As a pastor, and now an ex-pastor, Mikels feels he failed at several levels. Even as he tries to find out the reasons behind the disappointments, he attempts to expose false teachings and presumptions both personal and external. This book is about that journey of exposing personal weaknesses and worldly idolatry. Beginning with "Evangelicalism has idols," Mikels attempts to uncover false beliefs happening within the Church, especially the American evangelical Church. His main target: Idolatry within evangelicalism. Writing as a former pastor, he begins with his personal disillusionment and disappointment with the Church. 

"Claiming the Courageous Middle" (Shirley A. Mullen)

TITLE: Claiming the Courageous Middle: Daring to Live and Work Together for a More Hopeful Future
AUTHOR: Shirley A. Mullen
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2024, (200 pages).
 

"The nation is divided." "Society is broken." "Why can't we all just get along?" These are common phrases heard these days. From politics to religious matters; human rights to social justice; systemic racism to various inequalities; people are becoming more vocal about their stand. This has led to a host of problems never seen before in the previous century. Largely driven by social media's ease and speed of public expression, people are arguing not just in public places but also on private platforms. In such a polarized climate, there is a tendency for all sides to drag people and opinions either to the left or to the right. Diversity can be divisive. What about the middle? Up comes the notion of a "courageous middle." Seeing the deep divisions across America today, author Shirley Mullen sees the need for this position more than ever. As the world gets pulled apart by binary mindsets, it becomes a challenge to find a middle ground for all. Mullen urges the expansion of the middle space that sees the common good and also does not necessarily take sides. She aims directly at three groups of people. The first group includes those that stereotype the middle position negatively. The second group is for those who want to play the role of peacemakers and reconciliation. The third group is for those who tend to lament but seem helpless to do anything about it. Driven by her concern for the rising levels of polarization in society, media, and churches, she recognizes a sizable number of undecided people; who are on neither end of the poles; or unwittingly caught up in the middle. Mullen argues that taking the middle is "one form of faithful witness" for Jesus. 

"Why Evangelical Theology Needs the Global Church" (Stephen T. Pardue)

TITLE: Why Evangelical Theology Needs the Global Church
AUTHOR: Stephen T. Pardue
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2023, (208 pages).
 

If one reads a typical newspaper in America, one would notice how skewed the mass media is toward American issues and perspectives. One might mistakenly assume that America is the world! The Church in the West also parallels this trend. A lot has been written about the Western Church. Relatively fewer talks about matters outside of the Western hemisphere. Sometimes it feels like all the experts happen to reside in the West. As the Church in the North-West continues to decline, churches in the  Southern and Eastern parts of the world are seeing remarkable revivals. In spite of this trend, many missionaries and ministry workers continue to be sent from the West to the East, and from the Northern Hemisphere to the South. One wonders, why then is the perception that the best professors and lecturers are from a place where the Church is declining and waning in influence? Perhaps, after zooming in on the Western influence for so long, it is time to zoom out into the wider world to gain a better perspective of reality. Based on his work and interactions with his Asian counterparts, Philippines-based Pardue helps us expand our minds beyond the West toward the global Church. He acknowledges the challenges that prevent the Western Church from learning from the rest of the world. These include the barriers of contexts, culture, language, philosophy, and theology. There are five theses in this book with regard to evangelical contextual theology. First, any evangelical contextual theology must be based on the authority of Scripture. Second, culture needs to be seen as a gift from God for the Church. Third, the ecclesiology of the Church should be a uniting factor for the diverse expressions of faith in the real world. Fourth, theology should incorporate Christian witness everywhere, both locally and globally. Fifth, the theology should engage the "Great Tradition of the Church." Each chapter will deal with a particular thesis and ends with a practical engagement with a global Church.  

"The Evangelical Imagination" (Karen Swallow Prior)

TITLE: The Evangelical Imagination: How Stories, Images, and Metaphors Created a Culture in Crisis
AUTHOR: Karen Swallow Prior
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2023, (304 pages).
 

What has imagination got to do with evangelicalism? How far do stories, myths, and metaphors affect our lives? How connected is modern culture with the evangelical Church? Who influences who more? In a book that uses many types of symbols and metaphors, author and professor Karen Swallow Prior gives us a creative snapshot of the state of the evangelical church. More importantly, she takes us back to how we perceive the Church, the evangelical movement, and the insidious influence the world has on public perception. It is a fresh way of thinking with regard to understanding the struggles of the Church and culture today. Taking away the notion of imagination merely as a "brain function," Prior first shows us the central function of imagination beyond mere perceptions, that it heavily influences our everyday living. The second thing is to show us that the evangelical movement is connected to our "social imaginaries." As our culture changes, so do our perceptions of the evangelical movement. After comparing the academic definitions of evangelicalism from theologians David Bebbington, Timothy Larsen, John Stackhouse, and the National Evangelical Association, Prior goes to the layperson's perspective to remind readers that most people don't see evangelicalism in an academic sense.

"Evangelical Pharisees" (Michael Reeves)

TITLE: Evangelical Pharisees: The Gospel as Cure for the Church's Hypocrisy
AUTHOR: Michael Reeves
PUBLISHER: Wheaton, IL: Crossway Publishers, 2023, (128 pages).

During Jesus' time, some of Jesus' harshest criticisms were leveled at the Pharisees and religious leaders. The key reason: Hypocrisy. Jesus uses words like "blind guides," "fools," "leaven," "vipers," "whitewashed tombs," and "hypocrites." If there is any one word that would sum up how Jesus saw the religious establishment then, it would be the latter: Hypocrites. Author Michael Reeves adds to this pot of nouns with "hidden cancer," and points out the three major theological problems with the Pharisees; namely, their approach to Scripture; their understanding of salvation; and their disregard for regeneration. Reeves then introduces the three Rs to correct these three problems: Revelation, Redemption, and Regeneration. Each chapter is then devoted to unpacking each of these Rs. Embedded within these chapters are frequent comparisons of modern evangelicals with the Pharisees of old as well as warnings not to make the study and interpretation of Scripture become an end in itself. We need to gospel to correct our lens of interpretation. We need to get the salvation message clear that we are saved not by works but by grace alone. Each of these Rs parallels the members of the Triune Godhead. The Revelation of the Bible is to be seen in the light of God the Father who graciously reveals Himself to the world through the Word of God. The Redemption according to the Bible is about Christ coming down to earth to rescue us from our sins. The Regeneration aspect refers to the work of the Holy Spirit to enable us to do the will of God. 

"Across the Spectrum" (Gregory A. Boyd and Paul Rhodes Eddy)

TITLE: Across the Spectrum: Understanding Issues in Evangelical Theology
AUTHOR: Gregory A. Boyd and Paul Rhodes Eddy
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2022, (384 pages).
 

What do Christians believe? What are the beliefs held by evangelicals? Why are there so many different views? If only there is a handbook to list down the different views fairly for broad understanding, allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions. That said, the main purpose is to enable readers, especially students to learn about the different views across the spectrum of issues so that they could better understand the similarities and differences within the evangelical world. Not only does it help promote a deeper understanding of one's own standpoint, but it also enables one not to misrepresent others. The authors use a common framework to discuss each issue.  There are many issues the authors have covered. They include debates about:

1. The Inerrancy of the Bible
2. Providence
3. Foreknowledge
4. Genesis
5. Divine Image
6. Christology
7. Atonement
8. Salvation
9. Sanctification
10. Eternal Security
11. Destiny of the Unevangelized
12. Baptism
13. The Lord's Supper
14. Charismatic Gifts
15. Women in Ministry
16. Millenium
17. Hell

"J.I. Packer" (Alister McGrath)

TITLE: J. I. Packer: His Life and Thought
AUTHOR: Alister McGrath
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2020, (192 pages).

To many Christians around the world, he is known as the author of the bestselling book, "Knowing God." To North American evangelicals, he is known as the Puritan evangelical from England. To students at Tyndale, he was remembered as the theologian who impacted their ministry and preaching. For those in Regent College, he was their beloved professor, a friend of Regent's co-founder, James Houston, a scholar who is passionate about equipping the layperson for ministry. For budding authors, he was always willing to contribute a preface, a foreword, or a brief commendation about a book waiting to be published. In a richly informative and inspirational biography of Dr James Innell Packer, Oxford scholar Alister McGrath has written a beautiful tribute. It is a story of the life of a man that simply needs to be told, for the benefit of anyone considering ministry or theological education. In it, McGrath gives us wonderful snippets of Packer's life and most interestingly, some of Packer's most famous quips. His reminder about the value of old books as well as the three ways to engage tradition with theological reflection is worth the price of the book.

"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:

"When Did We Start Forgetting God? "(Mark Galli)

TITLE: When Did We Start Forgetting God?: The Root of the Evangelical Crisis and Hope for the Future
AUTHOR: Mark Galli
PUBLISHER: Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2020, (256 pages).

Evangelicalism is in a crisis. The original movement that has united believers in all things Bible, all things Cross-centered; all things conversionism to Christ; all things Christian activism is now deeply divided. Many believe that the chief reason is politics and the way evangelicals align their identities according to which political power they support. Thomas Kidd of Baylor University has singled this factor out, saying that historically this has never been the case. It is no longer about biblical doctrine but about political allegiances. Journalist and cultural critic, Mark Galli takes this a little further toward spirituality. He notes that evangelicalism has lost its soul because it has forgotten God. In order to find out how to restore hope for the future, we need to go back to the root of the problem to ask the question: "When Did We Start Forgetting God?" Thus, the title of the book is the author's quest to understand the background behind the escalating divide of the different camps, and the deteriorating spiritual climate of the movement. This has led to many evangelicals who think they are devoted Christians when they are actually "practical atheists!" In fact, Christians can easily continue to live with the label outside but on the inside, they are far from the spiritual being they were perceived to be. The heart of the question is this: Are we more in love with God, or are we more in love with ourselves? The lack of congruence between these two is the source of our crisis. This single factor has precipitated other crises such as family, social justice, evangelism, racism, theology, and many more. If only we can get back to restoring our desire for God, things will get better. Much better for the Christian witness.

"Who is an Evangelical?" (Thomas S. Kidd)

TITLE: Who Is an Evangelical?: The History of a Movement in Crisis
AUTHOR: Thomas S. Kidd
PUBLISHER: New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2019, (200 pages).

A few decades ago, evangelicals were understood as people who were Bible-believing church goers of the conservative stream. As more of them engage in politics, they have become associated with Bible-thumping activists pushing the Republican agenda in the name of Christianity. Due to the sizeable influence of such lobbying to tilt the results in their favour, many see with disdain the mixing of politics and religion. In contrast to the born-again believer affirming the fundamental tenets of the Christian faith, the evangelical label is going through a unpleasant public perception, especially in North America, thanks to the Trump. However, according to author Thomas Kidd, historically, evangelicalism was never defined by partisan politics, unlike today's climate.

"Restless Faith" (Richard J. Mouw)

TITLE: Restless Faith: Holding Evangelical Beliefs in a World of Contested Labels
AUTHOR: Richard J Mouw
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2018, (192 pages).

People generally don't like to be labeled but the practice of labeling continues to be practiced in society. Scholars especially would often qualify their definitions of any particular label. On the word "Christian," one might ask what kind of Christian. On the label "Protestant," one might wonder which branch or denomination one is talking about. On the label "evangelical," some might shrug their shoulders or avoid talking about it due to its association with politics on America. Things are no longer taken at face value or treated simplistically. Maybe society has become more sophisticated. Maybe there are more awareness of the increasing diversity of views and opinions. For author and theologian Richard Mouw, the fear of labels should not be allowed to prevent us from using them legitimately. The word in question is "evangelical." Just because of a few bad eggs should not deter us from appropriate use of it. It is true that some from the political right have been giving the label a bad name, the same applies to many other labels open to stereotyping. He uses Alister McGrath's words as support, that "we evangelicals do often operate with an 'under-developed ecclesiology' - but we are willing to live with that defect because of what we have experienced at the hands of 'others who have over-developed ecclesiologies.'" That's a valid point. He also notes the famous historian, David Bebbington's definition of evangelical by saying that his four points were 'emphases' instead of absolute dogmas. A restless faith seeks to hold together two things: Top-notch scholarship (mindfulness) and down-to-earth connections (relational). It is honouring the Bible; walking in the presence of the Holy Spirit; and an awareness of the saints who had walked faithfully in the past.

"Believe Me" (John Fea)

TITLE: Believe Me: The Evangelical Road to Donald Trump
AUTHOR: John Fea
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 2018, (208 pages).

Famous words are often uttered by Presidents. For President John F Kennedy, people remember his powerful words "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." President Jimmy Carter is remembered as a man who fought for peace: "We cannot be both the world's leading champion of peace and the world's leading supplier of the weapons of war." President Barack Obama rode into office under the banner of change said: "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." For Donald Trump, it's the cliche "Believe Me," a phrase peppered throughout his rallies and speeches to his party faithful.  In this book, author John Fea takes a closer look at Trump's appeal to the evangelical public in America. More specifically, he tries to examine why despite Trump's denigration of women; his superficial Bible knowledge; and multiple moral questions; many evangelicals, particularly "die-hard white evangelical supporters" still think he is a Christian. This contrasts with James Davison Hunter's warning to believers not to politicize faith. The problem is less of Trump but more of the unwavering support for Trump's brand of politics in spite of moral failings. How do we make sense of it all? What does it say about the evangelicals in America? Why are these evangelicals supporting Trump's politics of fear, power, and nostalgia? These three factors are examined in greater detail as Fea looks at why the 81% of white evangelicals supported Trump for presidency. He attributes the frustrations among evangelicals due to the widening separation of Church and State; the secularization of public education; how government is creeping and controlling individual beliefs; and issues like abortion. The desire for change is strong. Underlying this mood is a climate of fear. This fear leads to a desire for power which in turn is linked to a nostalgia of a past where Christendom dominated culture.

"Evangelicals and Catholics Together at Twenty" (Timothy George and Thomas G. Guarino)

TITLE: Evangelicals and Catholics Together at Twenty: Vital Statements on Contested Topics
AUTHOR: Timothy George and Thomas G. Guarino
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2015, (188 pages).

Over twenty years ago, a group of Evangelicals and Catholics have come together to dialogue on the common matters of faith. Founded by Charles Colson and Richard John Neuhaus in 1994, the Evangelicals and Catholics Together (ECT) produced nine statements of faith. The key aim is to affirm that while they do have serious differences in belief, they too have lots of common ground. Together, they believe that:

• They have more in common than differences
• They desire a deepening understanding of each other
• They want to demonstrate what it means to tolerate differences
• They want to re-examine at why certain issues are so difficult to resolve
• They want to champion religious freedom through mature dialogue
• They can encourage deeper theological discussions so that both parties can learn from one another.
• They can engage the culture, society, political, and social strata.

In this book, three themes form the basis of dialogue:

1. The content of the Christian faith
2. The place of Scripture and Tradition
3. Ecclesial Reform