Contemporary American evangelicalism is suffering from an identity crisis—and a lot of bad press.
In this book, acclaimed author Karen Swallow Prior examines evangelical history, both good and bad. By analyzing the literature, art, and popular culture that has surrounded evangelicalism, she unpacks some of the movement's most deeply held concepts, ideas, values, and practices to consider what is Christian rather than merely cultural. The result is a clearer path forward for evangelicals amid their current identity crisis—and insight for others who want a deeper understanding of what the term "evangelical" means today.
This book explores ideas including conversion, domesticity, empire, sentimentality, and more. In the end, it goes beyond evangelicalism to show us how we might be influenced by images, stories, and metaphors in ways we cannot always see.
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“This eye-opening book calls on evangelicals to examine their fundamental assumptions…It will also assist non-Christians, like me, whose image of the evangelical faith has been clouded by those same unexamined assumptions and unwelcome elements.”
— Henry Reichman, author of Understanding Academic Freedom; former vice president, American Association of University Professors
“Offers contemporary Christians a chance for self-awareness, renewal, and hope.”
— Malcolm Guite, author of Lifting the Veil“Readers are challenged to ask important questions to grasp the forces that shape us without our knowing.”
— Walter R. Strickland II, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary“Invites us to enjoy a more healthy and biblical imaginative life. A crucial book for anyone who wants to bring every faculty—including the imagination—under the lordship of Christ.”
— Christopher Watkin, author of Biblical Critical TheoryBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Karen Swallow Prior is professor of English at Liberty University. She is the author of Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me and contributes to Christianity Today and The Atlantic, among other publications. She is a research fellow with the Ethics and Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Susan Hanfield is an Audie Award–winning narrator who comes from a strong classical theater background and loves bringing deep characterizations to all of her work. She has narrated over twenty books, including Ru Emerson’s six-book Night-Threads series. On camera, she has been seen commercially and in numerous international, national, and regional network spots. She also played the title character in Magdalene, an award-winning short film.