Recovering Classic Evangelicalism : Applying the Wisdom and Vision of Carl F. H. Henry

Once upon a time, evangelicalism was a countercultural upstart movement. Positioned in between mainline denominational liberalism and reactionary fundamentalism, evangelicals saw themselves as evangelists to all of culture. Billy Graham was reaching the masses with his Crusades, Francis Schaeffer was reaching artists and university students at L'Abri, Larry Norman was recording Jesus music on secular record labels and touring with Janis Joplin and the Doors, and Carl F. H. Henry was reaching the intellectuals through Christianity Today. It was the dawn of "classic evangelicalism." Surveying the current evangelical landscape, however, one gets the feeling that we're backpedaling quickly. We are more theologically diffuse, culturally gun-shy, and fragmented than ever before. What has happened? And how do we find our way back? Using the life and work of Carl F. H. Henry as a key to evangelicalism's past and a cipher for its future, this book provides crucial insights for a renewed vision of the church's place in modern society and charts a refreshing course toward unity under the banner of "classic evangelicalism." "Once upon a time, evangelicalism was a countercultural upstart movement. Positioned in between mainline denominational liberalism and reactionary fundamentalism, evangelicals saw themselves as evangelists to all of culture. Billy Graham was reaching the masses with his Crusades, Francis Schaeffer was reaching artists and university students at L{u2019}Abri, Larry Norman was recording Jesus music on secular record labels and touring with Janis Joplin and the Doors, and Carl F.H. Henry was reaching the intellectuals through Christianity Today. It was the dawn of 'classic evangelicalism.' Surveying the current evangelical landscape, however, one gets the feeling that we{u2019}re backpedaling quickly. We are more theologically diffuse, culturally gun-shy, and fragmented than ever before. What has happened? And how do we find our way back? Using the life and work of Carl F.H. Henry as a key to evangelicalism{u2019}s past and a cipher for its future, this book provides crucial insights for a renewed vision of the church{u2019}s place in modern society and charts a refreshing course toward unity under the banner of 'classic evangelicalism.'"--Publisher's description We live in a unique moment in history. Right now, more people live in urban centers than ever before. This means that we have an unprecedented opportunity to influence the majority of the world through the church in the city. Helping us to make the most of this moment, urban pastors Justin Buzzard and Stephen Um lay out a compelling vision for cultural engagement and church planting in our world's cities. If you're looking for motivation to maintain a commitment to the city or for guidance as you consider going all in, this book provides a comprehensive analysis of urban life that informs, instructs, inspires, and answers questions including: Why cities are so important; What the Bible says about cities; How to overcome common issues and develop a plan for living missionally in the city. Instead of retreating from or taking from our cities, here is a call to make the cities our home, to take good care of them, and to participate in God's kingdom-building work in the urban centers of our world. - Publisher. More people live in cities now than at any other time in human history, presenting a historic opportunity for Christians to influence the majority of the world. Unfortunately, most Christian literature about the city focuses solely on its problems (crime, homelessness, etc.), rather than providing a comprehensive analysis of the city that informs, instructs, and inspires. Using sociological research and data, urban pastors Justin Buzzard and Stephen Um lay out the vision and rationale for church planting, cultural engagement, and missionary impulses in our world's cities as they provide a solid foundation for motivation. Here is a call to make the cities our home, to take good care of them, and to participate in God's kingdom-building work in the urban centers of our world! Using sociological research and data, urban pastors Um and Buzzard lay out the vision and rationale for church planting, cultural engagement, and missionary impulses in our world's cities as they provide a solid theological foundation for making the city our home. Carl F.H. Henry, one of the founding patriarchs of evangelicalism, has much to offer the church today. Covering topics such as inerrancy and culture, this book assists theologians and church-goers alike in renewed engagement with today's world Foreword / Tim Keller The importance of cities The characteristics of cities The Bible and the city Contextualization in the city The story line of the city Ministry vision for the city Recommended reading