American Evangelicalism: Embattled and Thriving (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780226764191)

Evangelicalism is one of the strongest religious traditions in America today; 20 million Americans identify themselves with the evangelical movement. Given the modern pluralistic world we live in, why is evangelicalism so popular?

Based on a national telephone survey and more than three hundred personal interviews with evangelicals and other churchgoing Protestants, this study provides a detailed analysis of the commitments, beliefs, concerns, and practices of this thriving group. Examining how evangelicals interact with and attempt to influence secular society, this book argues that traditional, orthodox evangelicalism endures not despite, but precisely because of, the challenges and structures of our modern pluralistic environment. This work also looks beyond evangelicalism to explore more broadly the problems of traditional religious belief and practice in the modern world.

With its impressive empirical evidence, innovative theory, and substantive conclusions, American Evangelicalism will provoke lively debate over the state of religious practice in contemporary America.


Author: Christian Smith
ISBN-10: 0226764192
ISBN-13: 9780226764191
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Language: English
Published: 10/16/1998
Pages: 324
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.98lbs
Size: 9.02h x 6.08w x 0.73d

Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 10/01/1998