Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 19:3 (Summer 1976)
Article: A Bibliography For Evangelical Reform
Author: James A. Hedstrom

JETS 19:3 (Summer 1976) p. 225

A Bibliography For Evangelical Reform

James A. Hedstrom*

The most essential need for evangelical reform is a comprehensive understanding of the current problems of evangelicalism and an equally comprehensive understanding of possible solutions. If a powerful secondary word is to be proclaimed it must first be formulated in terms of both specifics of abuse of, and specifics of adherence to, a more normative Christian faith and practice. In the interest of a first-generation Christian faith, dealing with current realities and holding up of relevant models for change is an essential task. To help this task along, concerned Christians need to be aware of analysis that already exists and models for reform that have already been formulated. Toward this end the following bibliography is offered, not as a definitive list so much as simply books which I have come to feel are crying to be read by a contemporary evangelicalism in need of their message. I may have missed much in compiling these materials, but someone needs to begin speaking as a lobby for reform-mindedness of a comprehensive sort. The following, therefore, is offered as a fledgling effort.

Toward A Definition Of “Evangelical”

The following books attempt a definition of “evangelical” and in some cases explicate both this definition, and normative evangelicalism, rather ably. This literature is rather important for those interested in evangelical reform, as it may help us to see what are—and what are not—adequate ways of approaching either the evangelical heritage or current conservative evangelicalism. It may also stimulate us to an even more profound definition than these books provide of what evangelicalism is and of what current evangelicalism thus needs to be.

There is a crying need for a definition of what conservative evangelicalism means by “evangelical.” Since the conservative evangelical establishment contains both those who would be doctrinally orthodox Protestants as well as those who would be explicitly “evangelical” in the sense of early Methodism, the Great Awakening, or a similarly existential faith, there is some confusion. Both John Wesley and John Wesley’s High Church opponents would fit into conservative evangelicalism on some present definitions, and this leaves one feeling decidedly uncomfortable about the precision with which anything is being defined and an evangelical reality communicated. I would like to think that by “evangelical” we mean an orthodox form of Christianity that includes an emphasis upon and an experience of regeneration, as opposed to something less than this. But I am no longer sure that this is what conservative evangelicals mean by “evangelical.” The word is used

.James Hedstrom is a graduate student a...