John G. Stackhouse Jr. - Böcker

Evangelicalism has rapidly become one of the most significant religious movements in the modern world. An umbrella term that encompasses many Protestant denominations that share core tenets of Christianity, evangelicalism is foremost defined by its disciples' consideration of the Bible as the ultimate moral and historical authority, the desire to evangelize or spread the faith, and the value of religious conversion known as being “born again.”As the Evangelical movement has grown rapidly, so has its influence on the political stage. Evangelicals affect elections up and down the Americas and across Africa, provoke governments throughout Asia, fill up some of the largest church buildings, and possess the largest congregations of any religion in the world. Yet evangelicals are wildly diverse- from Canadian Baptists to Nigerian Anglicans, from South Sea Methodists to Korean Presbyterians, and from house churches in Beijing to megachurches in Saõ Paulo.This Very Short Introduction tells the evangelical story from the preacher-led revivals of the eighteenth century, through the frontier camp meetings of the nineteenth, to the mass urban rallies of the twentieth, and the global megachurches of the twenty-first. More than just a sketch of where evangelicals have come from, this volume aims to clearly examine the heart of evangelical phenomenon. Is there such a (single) thing as evangelicalism? What is its basic character? Where are the evangelicals going? And what in the world do they want?

Many Christians find that today's increasingly secular world is not in line with their beliefs. And rather than turn away from society, they are faced with the options of trying to impose their beliefs on others or suppressing their faith. Either option provokes a stream of difficult questions about what it means to be a good Christian, and how a Christian life should be led. In Why You're Here John Stackhouse proposes another path for these people, one that might reconcile Christian beliefs with a world that is often perceived as being openly hostile to those beliefs. Moreover, Stackhouse offers a pragmatic theology that promotes effective action for the challenges of real life.This compact volume offers an accessible, concrete program for faithful Christian living in today's world. Written in engaging and lucid prose, Stackhouse speaks directly to these everyday Christians who are searching for straightforward advice on some of their most complex quandaries about the challenges inherent in staying true to the Bible's teachings. Why You're Here is a thoroughly readable and resolutely practical book designed to help people understand who they are in the sight of God, and therefore what they are to do according to God's calling on their lives here and now.

Understand the history, core values, and divisions as they've developed within the Evangelical Christian movement.Four Views on the Spectrum of Evangelicalismcompares and contrasts four distinct positions on the current fundamentalist-evangelical spectrum. Each contributor offers their case for one of four primary views:Fundamentalism – defended by Kevin T. Bauder Conservative/confessional evangelicalism – defended by R. Albert Mohler Jr.Generic evangelicalism – defended by John G. Stackhouse Jr.Postconservative evangelicalism – defended by Roger E. OlsonEach author explains and defends his position, which is critiqued by the other three authors. The Counterpoints series presents a comparison and critique of scholarly views on topics important to Christians that are both fair-minded and respectful of the biblical text. Each volume is a one-stop reference that allows readers to evaluate the different positions on a specific issue and form their own, educated opinion.

Canadians usually associate evangelical Protestantism with television evangelists and the new religious right in American politics. In this first portrait of Canadian evangelicalism in the twentieth century, John Stackhouse argues that Canadian is far from being either an echo of an American phenomenon or a residue of the British heritage, but instead is distinctly Canadian. He also points out the Canadian evangelicalism has been become a powerful force in contemporary Canadian religion. Stackhouse disputes the church-sect typology of previous studies and also challenges the accepted wisdom that flamboyant preachers like the fundamentalist T.T. Shields and preacher-turned-politician William Aberhart represent evangelicalism in Canada. On the contrary, he says, the true character of the tradition is more accurately found in Bible schools like the internationally  known Prairie Bible Institute and the Ontario Bible College, seminaries such as Regent College and Ontario Theological Seminary, liberal arts institutions like Trinity Western University, student ministries such as the Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, and cooperative organizations typified by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.This book complements current studies of Canadian evangelicalism in earlier periods and is informed by recent scholarship in Canadian, American, and British religion. It brings fresh insights to a field that is drawing increasing interest.