End of Evangelicalism (5) Epilogue

The final chapter of the book examines some of David Fitch’s concerns about the direction being taken by the emerging church. When correcting problems, we must be careful that we do not lurch to far the other way.

1. We must approach all revelation with humility and openness, but there is a danger. We could end up always postponing judgement as to what God is saying such that we never allow it to shape our lives together as a people.

2. While evangelicalism has over personalised salvation and is preoccupied with the afterlife and escaping hell, there is a danger in advocating that we put out trust in the message of kingdom, rather than submitting to Jesus who is the reigning Lord and is actually bringing in the kingdom. Jesus becomes a guide, rather than a saviour.

3. While it is right to resist the institutionalism of the church, we must be careful not to leave the church without a role in God’s mission and Christians doing things on their own in the world.

This book is quite demanding, but is really worth reading.

The End of Evangelicalism? Discerning a New Faithfulness for Mission