scandal of the evangelical mind, The
Book Description
Historian Mark Noll presents a provocative examination of American evangelical Christianity's relationship with intellectual life, arguing that despite the movement's impressive size and growing influence, it has largely retreated from serious engagement with contemporary thought and culture.
Drawing on his expertise in religious history, Noll traces how evangelical Protestantism evolved from a tradition that once embraced rigorous thinking to one that often views intellectual pursuits with suspicion. He explores the historical forces that shaped this transformation, beginning with evangelicalism's early alignment with American ideals and Enlightenment principles before the Civil War, then examining how twentieth-century fundamentalism, while preserving core beliefs, inadvertently undermined scholarly engagement.
The author reveals a striking paradox: evangelicals represent the largest religious group in America and possess significant resources, yet they have failed to establish major research institutions or publications that seriously grapple with modern intellectual challenges. Noll analyzes evangelical approaches to politics and science, demonstrating how these areas reflect broader patterns of intellectual withdrawal.
While acknowledging recent attempts at evangelical intellectual renewal, Noll questions whether these efforts represent genuine progress or merely surface-level changes. His analysis offers both critique and hope, suggesting that evangelicalism contains within itself the resources necessary for intellectual revitalization.
This thoughtful work challenges readers to consider how faith communities can maintain their spiritual convictions while engaging meaningfully with the complex questions of contemporary life.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)
📄 Length: 274 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Aspect religieux
- ✓ Explore Church and education
- ✓ Explore Forecasting
- ✓ Explore Gesellschaft
- ✓ Explore Protestantismus
- ✓ Explore Christianisme
- ✓ Explore Kultur
- ✓ Explore Évangélisme
