What’s Cultural and What’s Truly Christian? The Evangelical Crisis: Karen Swallow Prior and Matthew Barrett
Jul 23, 2024
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Karen Swallow Prior and Matthew Barrett discuss the crisis in evangelicalism due to power struggles and changing focus. They explore the impact of Victorian values on evangelical culture, the use of metaphors and imagery in shaping evangelical identity, and the influence of missions, capitalism, and entrepreneurial spirit on modern evangelical practices.
Influences from Victorian culture shape evangelical values, impacting American society.
Evangelicalism's pursuit of power overshadows genuine spiritual conversion, leading to empire-building mindset.
Metaphors and narratives deeply influence evangelical culture, shaping beliefs and assumptions.
Deep dives
Influence of Evangelicals on Victorian Age Values
Evangelicals greatly influenced the Victorian age, shaping values like masculinity, femininity, and domestic roles. These cultural norms, inherited from the British Empire, continue to impact American society, highlighting the intersection of Victorian culture and evangelical beliefs.
Dominion and Pursuit of Power in Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism's pursuit of power and dominion, rooted in historical movements like the Great Awakening, has led to a pragmatic approach focused on gaining influence over church and culture. This emphasis on dominion has sometimes overshadowed genuine spiritual conversion and led to a shift towards a more empire-building mindset.
Imagination, Metaphors, and Evangelical Culture
Karen Swallow Pryor discusses how metaphors, images, and narratives shape evangelical culture, impacting beliefs and assumptions. By highlighting the role of imagination and metaphors inherited from history, she reveals cultural norms deeply intertwined with theological ideas.
Conversion and Evangelical Emphasis on Individual Salvation
The evangelical movement historically emphasized individual salvation and conversion experiences, departing from nominal Christianity. However, overemphasis on conversion can lead to superficial or false conversions, neglecting holistic growth, discipleship, and sanctification. This balance between salvation and formation remains crucial for authentic faith.
Challenges in Evangelicalism: Pragmatism and Empire-building
Evangelicalism's history shows challenges in balancing pragmatism with faith, as seen through figures like Charles Finney and Dudley L. Moody. The pragmatic approach, combined with a focus on methods and outcomes, can sometimes overshadow the essence of spiritual transformation and sanctification, leading to institutionalization and power-seeking behaviors.
Future Dynamics of Evangelicalism: Moving Forward Authentically
To progress authentically, evangelicalism must shift focus from human-led empires to God's Kingdom. Reflecting on Johnny Cash's song 'Hurt,' Karen Swallow Pryor emphasizes the need to see earthly accomplishments and possessions as transient, urging evangelicals to align their motivations and actions with God's will for genuine spiritual growth and transformation.
Many of us have benefitted from evangelicalism and had our faith formed by it. However, evangelicalism these days is in a crisis mode. It has fallen prey to the constant… Download Audio
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