The Evangelicals You Don't Know: Introducing the Next Generation of Christians - Softcover

Krattenmaker, Tom

3.96

23 ratings by Goodreads

9780810895805: The Evangelicals You Don't Know: Introducing the Next Generation of Christians

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0810895803 ISBN 13: 9780810895805

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2017

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To many Americans, evangelical Christians have been the chief culprits in the divisiveness of our times. But in surprising and hopeful ways, a new generation of evangelicals is inventing how to be publicly and persuasively Christian without falling into the old stock roles and stoking the usual animosities. The Evangelicals You Don't Know introduces readers to these Christian innovators embodying this stereotype-busting, boundary-breaking inclusiveness, with each chapter offering insight for how we all, regardless of our own faith persuasion, can become part of this broadening new pursuit of the common good.

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Review:

For years, atheists have been countering the claims of prominent evangelical Christians, with their anti-gay, anti-women, and anti-science beliefs. What Tom Krattenmaker shows us in this book is that a new wave of Christians, while still believing in God, may hold views closer to atheists than their older evangelical counterparts. They are growing in influence and we're all better off because of it. It's this new generation of Christians -- dedicated to social justice issues -- whose beliefs stand a chance of surviving in a post-religious America. If Christianity has ever let you down, this book will lift you up. While atheists pride themselves on winning minds, the Religious Left is doing an incredible job of winning hearts. Tom Krattenmaker shows us how they're doing it and offers a preview of what's to come.--Hemant Mehta, blogger at FriendlyAtheist.com and author of The Young Atheist's Survival Guide

The Evangelicals You Don't Know is a thoughtful and informative book. Tom Krattenmaker expertly and entertainingly charts a development that although small and inchoate, at present, may conceivably come to change the texture of American religion and polity as we know it a decade or so from now.--Jacques Berlinerblau, director of Program for Jewish Civilization, Georgetown University

Tom Krattenmaker's excellent book demonstrates that evangelicals once again, always exquisitely attuned to the idiom of the culture, are finding new ways to live out their faith in a pluralistic society. The very good news in these pages is that this rising generation of "new evangelicals" is eager to consign the follies and the fallacies of the Religious Right to the dustbin of irrelevance.--Randall Balmer, Mandel Family Professor of Arts & Sciences, Dartmouth College, author of The Making of Evangelicalism

Tom Krattenmaker is one of the liberals we evangelicals need to know. In The Evangelicals You Don't Know, one of America's leading journalists on religion presents a fair-minded, critical assessment of evangelicalism from his liberal vantage point. Krattenmaker complexifies the situation in which we find ourselves in America today. Drawing attention to a groundswell of compassion and civic virtue within evangelical Christianity that does not fit the negative stereotypes of much of secular America, Krattenmaker powerfully argues that the battle is not between evangelicals and non-evangelicals, including secularists. As he sees it, the culture war dividing line is between religious and secular totalitarians on the one hand and those from across the religious and cultural spectrum that are coming together in support of the common good. Journalism of this caliber and scope is vitally important if we are to move beyond the partisan politics and religious fervor that so divides our society in the pursuit of a more humane America. A must read for all concerned--everybody.--Paul Louis Metzger, Ph.D., Theologian of Culture, author of Connecting Christ: How to Discuss Jesus in a World of Diverse Paths; Consuming Jesus: Beyond Race and Class Divisions in a Consumer Church

The wonderfully informative notes section adds nuance and perspective to Krattenmaker's statements and will aid in understanding his perspectives. His willingness to see things with new eyes is an admirable lesson for people on every part of the political, social, and religious strata. . . The Evangelicals You Don't Know aims for an audience of progressive non-evangelicals. Some Christians may feel on their guard as they begin, but the author's honesty, humility, and research will put them at ease. Readers of all faiths and backgrounds will see religion, in general, and evangelical Christianity, specifically, in a broader, more positive light through Krattenmaker's research, experience, and insight.--Foreword Reviews

Kratenmaker introduces us to a generation of evangelical leaders who are politically either neutral or liberal and are heeding Jesus' call to assist the poor and protect the children and widows; and to reintroduce civil discourse into the lexicon of theologically conservative Christians. This book will certainly bend the perception of any reader that automatically equates Christians and the Religious Right.--Oregon Business

Krattenmaker writes about religion in public life and is a columnist for USA Today. He is a sympathetic outside observer of the "new evangelicals" who reject the divisive rhetoric and political alliance between conservative Christians and right-wing Republicans. Rather than focusing on "wedge" issues such as abortion and gay rights, as did Jerry Falwell and James Dobson, a new generation is promoting a variety of social good works and linking cooperatively with nonevangelicals. As examples of those he wants secular progressives to know, Krattenmaker highlights Kevin Palau's service projects in Portland, Gabe Lyons's annual conference of leaders attempting to engage the culture, and Jim Daly's altered tone at Focus on the Family. Some new evangelicals have embraced environmentalism as "creation care," while others have questioned a one-sided American support of Israel that neglects Palestinians. The new generation is much more open to gay rights. One indication was the appearance and reception of gay alumni at the 2011 Homecoming of evangelical Wheaton College. Krattenmaker suggests that even the stalemate between pro-choice and pro-life may be circumvented by providing cooperative assistance to women and families, thus reducing the number of abortions. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers.--CHOICE

Traditional 'evangelicals' are aging quickly and fading fast in this country. But, in the decline of this once so powerful force, Tom Krattenmaker finds signs of hope for Christianity and the country. In the margins and often out of the lime light, 'new' evangelicals are stepping in and reimagining their faith for a new world and younger generation. Tom has his fingers on the pulse of the struggles in American Christianity, and this book is must-read for anyone hoping to understand religion in America today.--Robert P. Jones

About the Author:

Tom Krattenmaker is a Portland-based writer specializing in religion in public life and an award-winning contributing religion columnist for USA Today. Krattenmaker is the author of the book Onward Christian Athletes, a Foreword Book of the Year for 2009. His work has also appeared in Salon, the Los Angeles Times, Beliefnet, the Huffington Post, and the Philadelphia Inquirer. Krattenmaker's numerous media appearances include Fox & Friends, National Public Radio, ESPN's "Outside the Lines," and more.

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