Most of us who in some way identify as “evangelical” are struggling, whether we use this as a descriptor or affirm some of its historical theological distinctives. Some of us have left and some are thinking about it. Some of us have personally been impacted while others of us have witnessed injustices, the abuse of power, and other patterns of wrongdoing inconsistent with the gospel of Jesus. Even among those of us who have “stayed,” perhaps because of positive factors in our own context, we wonder whether the label “evangelical” is even redeemable.
Dan Stringer grew up as the biracial child of evangelical missionaries, living in five countries on three continents. He is a Wheaton College and Fuller Theological Seminary graduate. He is ordained in the Evangelical Covenant Church and serves as a team leader with InterVarsity Graduate and Faculty Ministries. He’s seen evangelicalism at its best and worst and has struggled with leaving or staying. His book, Struggling With Evangelicalism, comes out of his own mixed feelings toward and struggle with evangelicalism.
He advocates for a process of healthy struggle through stages of awareness, appreciation, repentance, and renewal. He affirms that leaving evangelicalism doesn’t mean leaving Jesus or Christianity. He also distinguishes between evangelicalism as a “brand” and a space that we inhabit, and offers help for those who choose to remain in making it a healthier space for themselves and others.
Emerging Scholars Network will be hosting Dan in conversation about his journey, his book, and the struggle many of us share on Thursday, December 9 for a one hour webinar. We’ll be meeting online at 5 pm ET/4pm CT/3pm MT/2pm PT/12pm HT (the time for Hawai’i on the graphic is inaccurate–a consequence of the shift of the rest of the country from Daylight to Standard time). To join us, sign up at https://tinyurl.com/DanStringer. The conversation will be recorded and available at our ESN YouTube channel (but you will miss the chance to interact with Dan). Participants will also be receive a special discount code to purchase Struggling with Evangelicalism.
We hope to “see” you on Thursday December 9.
About the author:
The Emerging Scholars Network is always seeking opportunities to identify, encourage, and equip the next generation of Christian scholars to be a redeeming influence in the academy, church, and the world. As you have an announcement, a "call for papers", an event, a prayer request (e.g., campus, field, higher ed), a resource suggestion, a review, etc., which is in concord with our Kingdom of God endeavor, please send materials (marketing/sales material not accepted) for consideration to post via email or the ESN Writer Survey. Thank-you. To God be the glory!
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