Yes, I did see that. I was encouraging. He also posted a link to this post.

Dear Michael,

Hmm; I happened to notice that it looks like while you were writing this,
the Internet Monk guy (Michael Spencer) was writing something about
the good and promising traits of evangelicalism, at
http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/five-good-thoughts-about-evangelicals
(or you can just visit http://www.internetmonk.com and scroll down to the article).

It was interesting to contrast and consider both essays. You may find his
comments mildly encouraging.

Yours in Christ,

James Snapp, Jr.

ahhhh…..I have to admit I have never really been sure what evangelical was supposed to mean. Does it mean “serious” or “devout” or “mature” or “protestant” or “non cultural” or non-worldly”?

the root would mean someone who evangelizes, but that is not the way it is used. I
I need to do more study of the history of evangelicalism myself.

Chad, I do think you are right. But the issue is that we adopt the name “evangelical” to say something distinct. We are not just Christians, but we are evangelical Christian. My lament come mostly from an understanding of what the distinction “evangelical” is supposed to mean.

ouch!!
I mostly agree Michael, but I think part of the issue is in the phrase: “The average evangelical”, who I assume would be similar to “the average Christian”. I’m not sure but it seems likely that similar answer would be had from “average Christians” since nearly the founding of the Church. There have always been more milk drinkers than meat eaters as paul would have put it.

If you asked these question to a 1950′s christian grocery store owner, would he have done better? If you asked them of a 12th century peasant, would he have done better?

I don’t know…..I do think evangelicals need to readopt something like the Catuchemen where new believers are given the basics of the faith. The present method of getting them to “pray the Prayer” and then listening to random sermons on Sunday for the rest of their life does not give a basic foundation. Sermons are primarily for exhortation and devotion not basic teaching, its like giving some the trimmings and interior and wall hangings for their house without a foundation or walls to hang them on.

Nathan, that is a good insight. I do think that what we are talking about is American evangelicalism.

Would it be too succinct an answer to say that evangelicalism has become American-ized? i.e. overly emotion-based, shortsighted – both forward and historically, needing instant gratification, having to have everything in terms that are palatable and understandable to our feeble minds, etc….