- Hardcover: 160 pages
- Publisher: Zondervan; Rev. North American Ed edition (29 Aug 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0310253853
- ISBN-13: 978-0310253853
- Product Dimensions: 23.7 x 15.8 x 1.7 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,094,022 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Book Description
Dave Tomlinson describes a workable new place, a theology and practice of Christianity that holds to essentials while acknowledging the excesses and unfortunate cultural influences of our recent past.
From the Back Cover
Evangelicalism was great--for its time.
For a growing number of Christians weaned on modern evangelicalism, the subculture and absolutism that accompany the dogma no longer fit. When asked, "Are you a Christian?" we find ourselves responding, "That depends on what you mean by ‘Christian.’"
Dave Tomlinson, a rather "outside-the-box" Anglican priest in London, caused a major stir in the UK in 1995 with the release of The Post-Evangelical. We North Americans weren’t ready for his book then. But now, almost a decade later, large numbers of North American believers are finding it increasingly difficult to classify our faith, especially into terms like "evangelical," " liberal," or "conservative."
Could there be something else? Something new?
This is not about a cloaked move to liberalism. Or a full-frontal dive into relativism. Instead, The Post-Evangelical actually represents a step toward, rather than away, from one’s evangelical roots, exploring controversial topics such as:
· Inerrancy of Scripture: Looking at the Bible as God’s story
· Truth: How do we know it, or can we know it?
· The World: Can we actually enjoy ourselves while down here?
· Liberal vs. Conservative: Getting beyond labels
For some, this will come as a dangerous threat--proof that we’re surely on that clichéd "slippery slope.". For others, the many who’ve been wondering if there’s a version of Christianity to which they can still ascribe, these words will come as a refreshing and potentially surprising relief--an "I’m not alone" oasis. Either way, the thoughts on these pages will bring about feisty discussion and reflective thought.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
For some years, at least in the UK. there has been little option open to those in evangelical churches disillussioned with absolutism and wishing to explore the nature of faith in a postmodern world, Tomlinson, a former new church leader, offers hope for many by a robust examination of themes such as biblical inerrancy, the nature of truth and authority. He identifies an inherent desire to conform and shows how this inhibits the search for maturity and understanding, In doing so he demonstrates that it is OK to doubt, nevertheless the author retains a love for scripture and a strong belief in Jesus Christ, This is a liberating book and highly recommended.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book was published in 1995 and although still very acute and with some useful points it does somehow feel dated. Some things, however, don't date - or at least date very slowly! - so Dave Tomlinson's discussion of the post-modern influence on evangelicalism is still valid, and particularly so for this reader.
The basic premise is that the church (and specifically in the case of this book the Evangelical wing of the church) fits into the 'Modern' society method of absolute truth, rationality, literal meaning of texts and proscriptive behaviours; unfortunately for the church the rest of the world has moved on to an imprecise, ambiguous and symbolic world as the penny has dropped that life has rather more to it than the 'modern' model offered. The argument of this book is that many Christians can no longer subscribe to the core requirements of the evangelical church (requirements, we note, that are usually not significant in the Bible) and either join the liberal church, have church once a year at Greenbelt or drift away altogether.
This is a fairly short book at 145 pages which serves to introduce the topic, to give a few examples and to map out the directions in which many post-evangelicals might move. There's not enough space to go deeply into any of the topics which was, for me, a slight failing of this book. It more serves as background for the reader to decide if this area of thought is that which will help them with their faith problems. I can recommend Brian MacLaren's "A New Kind Of Christian" as the more recent and in-depth book that would complement this very well.
There is a real benefit, however, in the simplicity of the writing style of this book. It was easy to identify myself in much of his writing and the confidence this gave - that I'm not alone in my disillusionment with modern Christianity - was very helpful. The datedness of the book is in terms of the examples he gives and perhaps also in the very discussion of 'evangelical' and 'evangelicalism' rather than just 'Christian'; I have a suspicion that the evangelical wing has grown so much in the twelve years since this book was published that it has subsumed most other areas and to me this book seemed to be saying a lot about the 'average' and 'normal' church of a medium-sized town in England, not necessarily one that would shout from the rooftops that it was evangelical. Be that as it may, this is an interesting book which gives encouragement to further reading and references some useful other works in its endnotes.
The basic premise is that the church (and specifically in the case of this book the Evangelical wing of the church) fits into the 'Modern' society method of absolute truth, rationality, literal meaning of texts and proscriptive behaviours; unfortunately for the church the rest of the world has moved on to an imprecise, ambiguous and symbolic world as the penny has dropped that life has rather more to it than the 'modern' model offered. The argument of this book is that many Christians can no longer subscribe to the core requirements of the evangelical church (requirements, we note, that are usually not significant in the Bible) and either join the liberal church, have church once a year at Greenbelt or drift away altogether.
This is a fairly short book at 145 pages which serves to introduce the topic, to give a few examples and to map out the directions in which many post-evangelicals might move. There's not enough space to go deeply into any of the topics which was, for me, a slight failing of this book. It more serves as background for the reader to decide if this area of thought is that which will help them with their faith problems. I can recommend Brian MacLaren's "A New Kind Of Christian" as the more recent and in-depth book that would complement this very well.
There is a real benefit, however, in the simplicity of the writing style of this book. It was easy to identify myself in much of his writing and the confidence this gave - that I'm not alone in my disillusionment with modern Christianity - was very helpful. The datedness of the book is in terms of the examples he gives and perhaps also in the very discussion of 'evangelical' and 'evangelicalism' rather than just 'Christian'; I have a suspicion that the evangelical wing has grown so much in the twelve years since this book was published that it has subsumed most other areas and to me this book seemed to be saying a lot about the 'average' and 'normal' church of a medium-sized town in England, not necessarily one that would shout from the rooftops that it was evangelical. Be that as it may, this is an interesting book which gives encouragement to further reading and references some useful other works in its endnotes.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Dave Tomlinson gives a wonderful insight into some of the reasons why thinking christians become disillusioned with the evangelical church or even the whole church.
This is by no means an exhaustive theological treatment of al the subjects it covers and neither should it be. What it does is seek to explain some of the issues on for example, the infallibility (or not) of the bible. He grapples successfully with many such issues and the book is well referenced so that those who are interested can investigate further.
One of the things the book tries to do is to let the reader know that there are many others who have experienced similar disillusionment and he gives pointers on ways that others have found useful and how the bible can still have a central place in the christian faith without having to swallow all the evangelical dogma that has grown up over the last few hundred years.
Thoroughly recommended as a stop on the journey of faith.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
yes, but what was the problem?
I read this book when I was disillusioned by traditional Evangelical Protestantism. It made me nod in agreement, but gave no hopeful insights for a better future. Read more
Published on 19 Oct 2009 by Dr John N Sutherland
Good book
This book provides an excellent overview of many of the issues facing post evanglicals today. I agree with those who say it's a little dated; we probably have moved on since this... Read more
Published on 14 May 2007 by S. Gilmore
Must read this book
This book is a must for anyone who is an evangelical Christian, but is concerned of the excesses of the movemnet which turns people away from considering the faith. Read more
Published on 30 April 2007 by M. Dark
Book for all Evangelicals in a rut!
This book willl help you get past Evangelcal culture and inti the heart of Jesus, this is a book fo all who feel that love is the key, not doctorine!
Published on 26 Jan 2001
The Irish Experience
Evangelicals in the small numbers in this country have become so starched and close minded in their view of christanity. Read more
Published on 11 Mar 2000
an excellent book
an excellent book, but it doesn't touch on the real devastation that can be part of the life of a person who gets involved with the "new Church" movement. Read more
Published on 26 Sep 1999
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