By Randall Balmer
The Evangelical move has, lately, struggled with its identification, to the purpose that the subject of the 2002 annual assembly of the Evangelical Theological Society used to be "Evangelical Boundaries." Even the newest version of the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology notes that, "The very nature of evangelicalism by no means used to be a unified stream yet a set of emphases in accordance with a standard center of trust -a center that itself is now below dialogue" (Dictionary of Evangelical Theology, Walter A. Elwell, ed. [Grand Rapids: Baker Books, second version, 2001], p. 409).
Seeking to element these numerous "emphases" the writer of this paintings admits to a "quixotic enterprise" during which he makes an attempt to "provide a feeling of either the historical past and the intense breadth of this well known circulate" (vii). And whereas components of his attempt are admirable, as a rule this paintings is a disappointing litter that confuses instead of clarifies the character of evangelicalism.
Properly talking the litter starts with the very name, this paintings isn't correctly an "encyclopedia" the writer admits that he by myself is chargeable for the entire articles (although he admits the help of a number of individuals); neither is it "encyclopedic" in nature; the articles frequently replicate superseded or misinformation and the bibliographic good from which the articles are drawn is especially limited.
The issues of this paintings diversity from typographical to methodological, yet truly the underlying challenge is the author's lack of ability to effectively outline the evangelical move. There are literally extra articles concerning American fundamentalism than evangelicalism; and whereas the 2 are definitely similar, they aren't exact movements.
In phrases of format the booklet lacks either indexes and important bibliographies. Articles frequently haven't any bibliographic help in any respect and others have just a unmarried reference. The modifying is additionally troublesome. Charles H. Spurgeon's named is rendered "Surgeon" (177) and Alva J. McClain is rendered "McLain" (249). a few articles mirror incomplete or outmoded details, akin to the access for the Evangelical Theological Society (201-202) the place the citation of the doctrinal assertion fails to notice the addition of the confirmation of the Trinity further numerous years in the past. whilst references are brought up, they're in general dated; for example the access for Grace Theological Seminary (249) cites for 1995. The access for Jack Hayford (274) makes no point out of the production of a seminary below his management, even if this happened over 5 years in the past. actually, apart from repeated references to a different ebook by way of the writer (Mine Eyes Have obvious the consideration, 2000) just a couple of bibliographic references are dated after 1995. Theological omissions also are famous. within the access for T. D. Jakes (300), no point out is made up of his anti-trinitarianism and different non-evangelical theology.
Beyond those matters a number of the real access decisions nearly defy rationalization. for instance there's an access for Trent Dilfer (176) containing a pleasant recitation of his profession within the nationwide soccer League besides a slightly harmless citation concerning Christianity. apparently sufficient the access for Dilfer is given more room than that for the second one Coming of Christ (515). The access at the Overhead Projector (432) is among the more unusual inclusions of this paintings. long entries are reserved for numerous Christian Rock bands corresponding to 3rd Day (576), Stryper (558), Newsboys (408-09) and Jars of Clay (301-02).
This paintings can't be instructed as reference for evangelicalism. it's a eccletic and non-cohesive number of one author's idiosyncratic sketch of evangelicalism, poorly crafted or even extra poorly finished.
