Are We Moving Toward Post-Evangelicalism?
—Book Review of "After Evangelicalism"

If you need to be challenged in your status quo beliefs about evangelical identity and don’t mind being politely nudged out of your biblical comfort zone, this book will do it for you.

After Evangelicalism: The Path to a New Christianity is David Gushee’s analysis of modern-day faith, biblical interpretation, and church life. And where to go next.

After Evangelicalism book

Gushee writes about the good and the bad, the helpful and the harmful. He addresses numerous topics in our everyday lives and how they intersect with our Christianity, such as:

  • Evangelical Biblicism
  • Hearing God’s Voice Beyond Scripture
  • Theology of Believing and Belonging
  • Jesus According to . . .
  • Biblical Theology of Church
  • Christian Political Ethics
  • White Racist Christianity

The book is organized well. Each chapter ends with a “Takeaways” section, with bulleted key points. (Chapter summaries are always a plus to me.)

Gushee also provides a humorous, non-scientific Evangelical Test to see if you qualify as an “American evangelical.” If you check twenty or more boxes, you are, or were, an evangelical. See how you do. (I knew 24 out of 25; I won’t say if that’s a good thing or bad.)

Evangelical Test David Gushee

Should you read this book? Be warned that this book isn’t for the faint of faith. Toes will be stepped on. Here’s an example in the chapter on race:

“White American Christianity, flowing from European imperial colonialism and justifying slavery, was born in racist heresy and the sin that it caused. . . . There have been many pivotal moments in US history when opportunities existed for the abandonment of white supremacism, but these have mainly been missed.”

And you might not be comfortable with all the topics he addresses, especially the chapters on sex and politics. You might also disagree with his interpretation of scripture in certain paragraphs. Or his views about scripture in general.

“Inerrantist claims go beyond the Bible’s own claims for itself and often create unnecessary faith crises for believers.”

But if you’re up for some mental stimulation and internal spiritual wrestling, read After Evangelicalism. You should come away thinking a little differently than you came in—hopefully more clearly and more loving, even if you diverge on opinions with the author here and there.

Whichever category you fit in—Still-Vangelicals, Still Christians, or Still People (categories provided in the Appendix written by Isaiah Ritzmann), you’ll find information here to think about. 

Here are more quotes from the book:

Post-evangelicals are abandoning church for reasons peculiar to the American evangelical experience, including disillusionment over harmful teachings, reactionary attitudes toward science and liberal learning, right-wing politics, and having been violated or traumatized.”

“The sense that card-carrying American evangelicalism now requires acquiescence to attitudes and practices that negate core teachings of Jesus is fueling today’s massive exodus.”

Seven commitments of a post-evangelical politics are proposed: a distinctive Christian identity, action based on hope and not fear, critical distance from earthly powers, grounding the broad Christian social teaching tradition, global perspective, orientation toward serving God’s kingdom and the common good, and efforts to practice what we preach.”


Share your thoughts here.

My thanks to Net Galley and Westminster John
Knox Press for the review copy of this book

6 thoughts on “Are We Moving Toward Post-Evangelicalism?
—Book Review of "After Evangelicalism"

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I understand that not every book is for every reader, so that’s why I wanted to offer plenty of caveats on this one. 🙂 There are too many good books available to steer someone in the wrong direction on one they wouldn’t like. Thanks for understanding, Martha.

  1. Lynn D. Morrissey

    Thanks so much, Lisa. I’d have to read it to know, but I would say that the check list doesn’t accurately describe what true, Biblical Evangelicalism is, but rather an aberration associated with it. 🙂 My reading list is long and budget limited, so I may not have time or funds, but I always appreciate your recommendations! And I think today that sometimes there are problematic things associated with Evangelicalism that are really apart from the Gospel (which true Evangelicalism is). Being a faithful, Christ-following Christian perhaps is attribution enough. 🙂

    Love you,
    Lynn

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I got this book free so I totally understand what you’re saying about using your book funds wisely, Lynn. I’m much more particular about books I buy than books I can check out free from the library and receive free to review. 🙂 Hope you and your family are staying safe and well, friend!

    2. LisaNotes Post author

      And I’m praying that your vertigo will go away and never come back. 🙁 My husband Jeff has vertigo from time to time, and even in small doses, I’ve seen how debilitating and life-changing it can be. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

  2. Lynn D. Morrissey

    No, I always appreciate your reviews! They’re thoughtful and fair. And thanks for these kind words. No, I woudln’t wish it on anyone either. Ugh.

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