Resurgent Evangelicalism in the United States

By Mark A. Shibley

Book Description

Mark A. Shibley presents a nuanced examination of contemporary evangelicalism that challenges conventional wisdom about religious transformation in America. Rather than accepting the popular narrative that born-again Christianity simply spread from the conservative South to mainstream America, this scholarly work reveals a more complex dynamic at play.

Through careful analysis, Shibley demonstrates how evangelicalism and secularism engage in an ongoing dance of mutual influence. While evangelical faith reshapes American cultural landscapes, it simultaneously undergoes its own transformation through encounters with secular thought and practice. This reciprocal relationship creates unexpected outcomes that defy simple categorization.

The author's research suggests that evangelical movements beyond the South are evolving to serve individual spiritual needs rather than collective religious identity. This shift points toward a fundamental restructuring of American religious life that moves along a public-to-private spectrum rather than the commonly assumed liberal-to-conservative divide.

For readers seeking to understand the changing face of American spirituality, this work offers valuable insights into how religious movements adapt and evolve. Shibley predicts that evangelicalism will maintain its cultural significance while taking forms that may surprise both supporters and critics. His perspective provides a thoughtful framework for anyone interested in the intersection of faith, culture, and social change in contemporary America.

This analytical approach offers readers a deeper understanding of how spiritual movements navigate modern challenges while maintaining their essential character.