If you can, name the author and the book.
Today, Protestant Fundamentalism although heir-apparent to the supernaturalist gospel of the Biblical and Reformation minds, is a stranger, in its predominant spirit, to the vigorous social interest of its ideological forebears. Modern Fundamentalism does not explicitly sketch the social implications of its message for the non-Christian world; it does not challenge the injustices of the totalitarianisms, the secularisms of modern education, the evils of racial hatred, the wrongs of current labor-management relations, the inadequate bases of international dealings. It has ceased to challenge Caesar and Rome, as though in futile resignation and submission to the triumphant Renaissance mood. The apostolic Gospel stands divorced from a passion to right the world. The Christian social imperative is today in the hands of those who understand it in sub-Christian terms.
Is this a trick question?
Marsden?
Oh, Fundamentalism in American Culture
Art,
Nope, but good guess!
(No trick question)
Carl Henry, “The Uneasy Consciene of Modern Fundamentalism”
Whoah. We have a winner! Great job Mark. I also see that you have The Henry Institute linked on your blog. I should have guessed.
I found this quote while researching the “Great Reversal” (a term coined by Timothy L. Smith) regarding the evangelical and fundamental retreat and ultimate surrender of a commitment to social reform along with the rise of the Social Gospel among early 20th century theological liberalism. Part of the reason why I am doing this paper, in case you were wondering, is because I found that there were many conservative Christians who were “missional” in the 19th century, though for different reasons. At one time a healthy orthodoxy was met be a healthy orthopraxy, but that soon changed when dispensational pre-millennialism and cultural retreat produced more evangelical ghettos than rescue shops. I think a significant factor of the emerging church movement is in reaction, or should I say protest, of the dichotomy of evangelism from social reform. I hope that doing a little historical reflection could bring some insightful analysis on the current situation ongoing today.
Anyway, Henry nailed it in his book, The Uneasy Conscience of Modern Fundamentalism, in particular his chapter entitled “The Most Embarrassing Evangelical Divorce” (27-40). For what it’s worth, John Stott addressed the same thing in 1975 in his book Christian Mission in the Modern World (25-28) in which he argues that the biblical position is tha social action is a partner of evangelism, not a manifestation of or means to evangelism.
I just guessed it since you said you were reading it earlier this week.
Worth a shot. 😉
Yeah, I am a very sporadic reader. I need to be more of the predicatable type, meaning that I stick with a book for an extended period of time. Someone asks me what I am reading, and I always end up giving them a really bad answer.
Thanks for playing Art!