Inter-Varsity Press

David Bebbington's 'Evangelicalism in Modern Britain: A History from the 1730s to the 1980s', published in 1989, offered an intriguing hypothesis regarding the genesis of this movement. He argued that evangelical religion had emerged as a substantially new entity through trans-Atlantic evangelical revival in the 1730s, and had taken a collaborative rather than antithetical stance towards the Enlightenment. In both respects, Bebbington distanced himself from older interpretations that had held the opposite view.

Now, after nearly two decades, the 'Bebbington thesis' has gained very wide international acceptance, and a review of its central contentions and implications is appropriate. In this stimulating volume, numerous scholars from arts and theology faculties on both sides of the Atlantic, representing several countries, and united by an admiration of Bebbington's work, take up various aspects of the 1989 volume and offer re-assessments. David Bebbington himself offers a substantial response.

Commendations

"'This symposium, carefully constructed by its editors, will prove a significant contribution ... The range and quality of its chapters and their authors will surely advance our historical understanding of the manifold matrices of what Bebbington ... calls 'an adaptation of the Protestant tradition through contact with the Enlightenment'." The late David F. Wright, Professor Emeritus, University of Edinburgh

"The editors have arranged for some eighteen scholars to express themselves on the 'emergence of evangelicalism'. It is their conviction that there is more continuity between the evangelicals and some involved in preceding awakenings of Christianity. And Bebbington, as the Christian scholar that he is, has welcomed this endeavour and himself contributed a 'Response', to further this invaluable process." Ian S. Rennie, Dean Emeritus, Tyndale Seminary, Toronto

"This book ... provides just the kind of constructive dialogue that is sure to help us move ever closer to a more satisfying grasp of evangelical identity, not as a mere historical curiosity, but as a matter of self-knowledge for thoughtful action to the glory of God." Tom J. Nettles, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kentucky