Spirit of Early Evangelicalism: True Religion in a Modern World - Hardcover

Hindmarsh, D. Bruce

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0190616695 ISBN 13: 9780190616694

Publisher: OXFORD UNIV PR, 2018

Synopsis

Evangelicalism appeared as a new pattern of Christian devotion at a moment in history when the foundations of Anglo-American society were shifting. The Spirit of Early Evangelicalism sheds new light on the nature of evangelical religion by locating its rise with reference to major movements of the 18th century, including Modernity, the Scientific Revolution, and the Enlightenment. Hindmarsh draws on a wide range of sources to make meaningful connections between the evangelical awakening and the history of science, law, art, and literature. Each of these fields placed a profound emphasis on nature and the authority of natural knowledge, and democratic debate was encouraged in the public sphere. In this context, evangelicals forcefully pressed their agenda for "true religion," believing it was still possible to experience "the life of God in the soul of man." The results were dramatic and disruptive.

This book presents a fresh perspective and new research on the religious thought of leading evangelical figures such as John and Charles Wesley, George Whitefield, and Jonathan Edwards. It also traces the significance of evangelical spirituality for non-elites across multiple genres. From the scribbled marginalia of lay Methodists and the poetry of an African-American laywoman to the visual culture of grand manner portraits, lunar drawings, and satirical prints, Hindmarsh traces the meaning of evangelical devotion in a rich variety of contexts. By presenting devotion, culture, and ideas together, The Spirit of Early Evangelicalism shows the advent of evangelicalism to be a significant new episode in the history of Christian spirituality.

About this title

Review:

The Spirit of Early Evangelicalism weaves together an amazing breadth of scholarship with depth of knowledge in detail. Its analysis is subtle and suggestive, as well as comprehensive in synthesis. The thesis presented-that evangelicalism represents 'a distinctive form of traditional Christian spirituality that emerged in the eighteenth century highly responsive to the conditions of the modern world' (276)-is made persuasively and elegantly. This is a lucid and beautifully written book, and an important one. (Martin Wellings, Wesley and Methodist Studies)

Based on deep knowledge of Whitefield's and especially the Wesleys' reading and vast output of writings and of the contemporary context, this book throws brilliant new light on the emergence and development of Evangelicalism, whose flame still burns bright. For anyone seeking to explore Evangelicalism, this is an admirable book and, at this price in hardback, a bargain. (Dr William Jacob, Church Times)

This fascinating and meticulously researched book explores facets of early evangelicalism that have hitherto been underexplored in the literature. Hindmarsh, who is a specialist in evangelical spirituality, presents fresh perspectives on that spirituality as it relates to George Whitefield, the rise of modernity and science, the natural world, issues of conscience and conversion, and various forms of artistic expression. His style is pleasant to read and the prose is pregnant with historical richness. (Randall J. Pederson, Journal of Reformed Theology)

About the Author:

D. Bruce Hindmarsh is the James M. Houston Professor of Spiritual Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia.

About this edition

• Publisher: OXFORD UNIV PR
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 0190616695
• ISBN 13: 9780190616694
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 372