In this Book

Liberalism without Illusions: Renewing an American Christian Tradition

Book
Christopher H. Evans
2010
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By the 1930s most mainline Protestant traditions promulgated the key tenets of liberalism, especially an embrace of modern intellectual theory along with theological and religious pluralism. In Liberalism without Illusions, Christopher Evans critiques his own tradition, focusing in particular on why so many Americans today want to distance themselves from this rich and vibrant heritage. In a time when attitudes about “liberal” vs. “conservative” theology have become the focus of the culture wars, he provides a constructive discussion of how liberalism might move forward into the twenty-first century, which, he argues, is indispensable to the future of American Christianity itself.

Table of Contents

Cover

Frontmatter

Contents

pp. vii-viii

Acknowledgments

pp. ix-x

Introduction

pp. 1-18

1. Why Do Americans Distrust Liberals?

pp. 19-32

2. Evangelical and Modern: Christian Liberalism in the Nineteenth Century

pp. 33-54

3. Christian Liberalism and the Social Gospel Heritage

pp. 55-78

4. The Diffusion of Liberal Theology

pp. 79-98

5. Did Liberalism Win?

pp. 99-116

6. Does Liberal Theology Still Matter?

pp. 117-140

7. Liberalism without Illusions

pp. 141-160

Epilogue: Past Imperfect

pp. 161-164

Notes

pp. 165-192

Selected Bibliography

pp. 193-202

Index

pp. 203-208
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