Warren Cole Smith loves the church, but he has seen an alarming number of attitudes and practices creep in over the past few decades that look nothing like what Jesus intended. In A Lover's Quarrel with the Evangelical Church, he gives a critique of what he calls "body-count evangelism," "the Christian Industrial Complex" and more. A penetrating look at the current state of theology and practice in the American evangelical movement.
“Evangelicalism needs more books like
A Lover’s Quarrel to challenge its complacent acculturalization—because the gradual changes that have occurred during the last 40 years have not always been beneficial.”
--Luder Whitlock, president emeritus, Reformed Theological Seminary
“For those who are truly serious about the implications of Christ’s Great Commission, I highly recommend A Lover’s Quarrel. This book is for all who are broken over the fact that our nation is spiritually bankrupt, despite a well-funded American Christian industry and thousands of Dolby-surround-sound-equipped churches. Reading it reminded me of what a doctor said to my father as he was about to undergo chemotherapy: “What you’re about to experience will be painful, but it is necessary to save your life.” I applaud Warren Smith’s scholarship and courageous candor. I pray that many will give serious consideration to the content of his book.” --Dr. Alex McFarland, president of Southern Evangelical Seminary and author of The Ten Most Common Objections to Christianity
“Both thoughtful and courageous.” --Dinesh D’Souza, best-selling author of What’s So Great About Christianity
“Words exchanged in lover’s quarrels are best quickly forgotten, but the terms Warren Cole Smith uses to critique current evangelical excesses—“the Christian Industrial Complex” and “Body-Count Evangelism”—should long be remembered. Smith points out that megachurches sometimes inflate their numbers, but even an accurate count may register only superficiality. Smith’s call for churches to emphasize spiritual depth is worth hearing.” --Dr. Marvin Olasky, editor-in-chief, WORLD Magazine, and provost, The King’s College
“This is an important book for a crucial moment in our history as Christians in the United States. Besides being richly biblical in its analysis of contemporary evangelicalism, this book is written by a veteran journalist with hard-hitting and inescapable data to support his conclusions. I highly recommend this book.” --Dr. Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California
“Warren Cole Smith’s A Lover’s Quarrel with the Evangelical Church is the perfect dose of tough love that the evangelical community needs to become a better (and much more attractive) witness to the secular world. Warren easily wins the “quarrel” by using biblically based arguments backed by solid research that don’t leave much wiggle-room for debate. It might make some Christians uncomfortable, which is exactly why they should read this book.” William Lobdell, former religion editor of the Los Angeles Times and author of Losing My Religion
“There are plenty of critics and blowhards who lob rhetorical bombs from a safe distance. But Warren Cole Smith has done something more rare and valuable. He has wrestled with both his conscience and with the mixed messages of his Christian tradition. The result is an honest, thoughtful, heartfelt and provocative book that will challenge readers to do some similar wrestlings of their own.” --Steve Rabey, writer and editor of Youthworker Journal
Average Rating: 4 out of 5 stars(4 out of 5 stars)
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4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Rock Conner (Dallas, GA), August 02, 2009
To which standards should churches and other Christian organizations be held accountable, and by whom? What are the roles of such groups, and the individuals of whom they are constituted? Do American churches and parachurch organizations further the Kingdom of God? More importantly, does your local church serve God in the manner of those in the early body of Christ? Most importantly, are you serving God in the ways in which you are gifted?
These and many other questions are engaged lovingly & sternly by Warren Cole Smith in his successful effort to challenge Evangelicals and all Christians to critically examine their organizations, their ministries, and their lives. This is not a feel-good book, but a swift kick in the pants of the all too comfortable. Dare to submit prayerfully to the process.
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