The Evangelicals You Don't Know: Introducing the Next Generation of Christians

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

So you have a problem with evangelical Christians Which ones These are the provocative questions Tom Krattenmaker poses to his fellow progressives in The Evangelicals You Dont Know. He challenges stereotypes about evangelical Christians and introduces readers to a movement of new evangelicals who are bringing forth a non-partisan expression of evangelicalism and creating opportunities for alliances and partnerships to advance the common good. Krattenmaker argues that cultural fault lines no longer divide the religious from the secular, or the evangelicals from everyone else. Rather, the lines that matter now run between the fundamentalist culture warriors of both the left and right on one side, and, on the other, the good-doers of any faith, or none, who want to work together to solve our societys problems and introduce a new civility and decency to our shared national life. Krattenmaker is one of the best-informed non-evangelicals writing about evangelicalism in American public life. He offers interesting stories, intriguing character sketches, and incisive writing in his readable and engaging book. Recounting the findings and insights gleaned from his many years of engagement with evangelical America, he draws conclusions sure to surprise, challenge, and even inspire non-evangelicals who had written off this controversial and influential faith movement. The Evangelicals You Dont Know offers a refreshing alternative to narratives that pay attention only to aspects of evangelicalism that are most distasteful and threatening to secular-progressives and liberal religionists providing instead a hopeful introduction to promising new currents rising among theologically conservative Christians.

Reviews

For years, atheists have been countering the claims of prominent evangelical Christians, with their anti-gay, anti-women, and anti-science beliefs. What Tom Krattenmaker shows us in this book is that a new wave of Christians, while still believing in God, may hold views closer to atheists than their older evangelical counterparts. They are growing in influence and we're all better off because of it. It's this new generation of Christians -- dedicated to social justice issues -- whose beliefs stand a chance of surviving in a post-religious America. If Christianity has ever let you down, this book will lift you up. While atheists pride themselves on winning minds, the Religious Left is doing an incredible job of winning hearts. Tom Krattenmaker shows us how they're doing it and offers a preview of what's to come. -- Hemant Mehta, blogger at FriendlyAtheist.com and author of The Young Atheist's Survival Guide
Tom Krattenmakers excellent book demonstrates that evangelicals once again, always exquisitely attuned to the idiom of the culture, are finding new ways to live out their faith in a pluralistic society. The very good news in these pages is that this rising generation of new evangelicals is eager to consign the follies and the fallacies of the Religious Right to the dustbin of irrelevance. -- Randall Balmer, Mandel Family Professor of Arts & Sciences, Dartmouth College, author of The Making of Evangelicalism
The Evangelicals You Dont Know is a thoughtful and informative book. Tom Krattenmaker expertly and entertainingly charts a development that although small and inchoate, at present, may conceivably come to change the texture of American religion and polity as we know it a decade or so from now. -- Jacques Berlinerblau, director of Program for Jewish Civilization, Georgetown University
Tom Krattenmaker is one of the liberals we evangelicals need to know. In The Evangelicals You Dont Know, one of Americas leading journalists on religion presents a fair-minded, critical assessment of evangelicalism from his liberal vantage point. Krattenmaker complexifies the situation in which we find ourselves in America today. Drawing attention to a groundswell of compassion and civic virtue within evangelical Christianity that does not fit the negative stereotypes of much of secular America, Krattenmaker powerfully argues that the battle is not between evangelicals and non-evangelicals, including secularists. As he sees it, the culture war dividing line is between religious and secular totalitarians on the one hand and those from across the religious and cultural spectrum that are coming together in support of the common good. Journalism of this caliber and scope is vitally important if we are to move beyond the partisan politics and religious fervor that so divides our society in the pursuit of a more humane America. A must read for all concernedeverybody. -- Paul Louis Metzger, Ph.D., Theologian of Culture, author of Connecting Christ: How to Discuss Jesus in a World of Diverse Paths; Consuming Jesus: Beyond Race and Class Divisions in a Consumer Church
Traditional evangelicals are aging quickly and fading fast in this country. But, in the decline of this once so powerful force, Tom Krattenmaker finds signs of hope for Christianity and the country. In the margins and often out of the lime light, new evangelicals are stepping in and reimagining their faith for a new world and younger generation. Tom has his fingers on the pulse of the struggles in American Christianity, and this book is must-read for anyone hoping to understand religion in America today. -- Jim Wallis, president and founder, Sojourners
Traditional evangelicals are aging quickly and fading fast in this country. But, in the decline of this once so powerful force, Tom Krattenmaker finds signs of hope for Christianity and the country. In the margins and often out of the lime light, new evangelicals are stepping in and reimagining their faith for a new world and younger generation. Tom has his fingers on the pulse of the struggles in American Christianity, and this book is must-read for anyone hoping to understand religion in America today. -- Robert P. Jones
Krattenmaker writes about religion in public life and is a columnist for USA Today. He is a sympathetic outside observer of the "new evangelicals" who reject the divisive rhetoric and political alliance between conservative Christians and right-wing Republicans. Rather than focusing on "wedge" issues such as abortion and gay rights, as did Jerry Falwell and James Dobson, a new generation is promoting a variety of social good works and linking cooperatively with nonevangelicals. As examples of those he wants secular progressives to know, Krattenmaker highlights Kevin Palau's service projects in Portland, Gabe Lyons's annual conference of leaders attempting to engage the culture, and Jim Daly's altered tone at Focus on the Family. Some new evangelicals have embraced environmentalism as "creation care," while others have questioned a one-sided American support of Israel that neglects Palestinians. The new generation is much more open to gay rights. One indication was the appearance and reception of gay alumni at the 2011 Homecoming of evangelical Wheaton College. Krattenmaker suggests that even the stalemate between pro-choice and pro-life may be circumvented by providing cooperative assistance to women and families, thus reducing the number of abortions. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers. * CHOICE *
The wonderfully informative notes section adds nuance and perspective to Krattenmakers statements and will aid in understanding his perspectives. His willingness to see things with new eyes is an admirable lesson for people on every part of the political, social, and religious strata. . . The Evangelicals You Dont Know aims for an audience of progressive non-evangelicals. Some Christians may feel on their guard as they begin, but the authors honesty, humility, and research will put them at ease. Readers of all faiths and backgrounds will see religion, in general, and evangelical Christianity, specifically, in a broader, more positive light through Krattenmakers research, experience, and insight. * Foreword Reviews *
Kratenmaker introduces us to a generation of evangelical leaders who are politically either neutral or liberal and are heeding Jesus' call to assist the poor and protect the children and widows; and to reintroduce civil discourse into the lexicon of theologically conservative Christians. This book will certainly bend the perception of any reader that automatically equates Christians and the Religious Right. * Oregon Business *

Author Bio

Tom Krattenmaker is a Portland-based writer specializing in religion in public life and an award-winning contributing religion columnist for USA Today. Krattenmaker is the author of the book Onward Christian Athletes, a Foreword Book of the Year for 2009. His work has also appeared in Salon, the Los Angeles Times, Beliefnet, the Huffington Post, and the Philadelphia Inquirer. Krattenmakers numerous media appearances include Fox & Friends, National Public Radio, ESPNs Outside the Lines, and more.