Since its emergence nearly 300 years ago, evangelicalism has greatly influenced all Protestant denominations. Sweeney outlines its roots in English Pietism; examines the power and personalities of the Great Awakening; and surveys key developments, including missionary endeavors, race relations, fundamentalism, and the holiness and Pentecostal movements. Also features accessible narrative and illustrations of noted evangelists. 208 pages, softcover from Baker Academic.
The American Evangelical Story surveys the role American evangelicalism has had in the shaping of global evangelical history.
Author Douglas Sweeney begins with a brief outline of the key features that define evangelicals and then explores the roots of the movement in English Pietism and the Great Awakening of the eighteenth century. He goes on to consider the importance of missions in the development of evangelicalism and the continuing emphasis placed on evangelism. Sweeney next examines the different subgroups of American evangelicals and the current challenges faced by the movement, concluding with reflections on the future of evangelicalism.
Combining a narrative style with historical detail and insight, this accessible, illustrated book will appeal to readers interested in the history of the movement, as well as students of church history.
Douglas A. Sweeney (Ph.D., Vanderbilt University) is associate professor of church history and the history of Christian thought and director of the Carl F. H. Henry Center for Theological Understanding at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
