A Look at the Past for the Future
When I was growing up, my only exposure to, what I told was, evangelicalism, was seeing someone standing on a milk crate at the country fair with a mega-phone shouting to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ or face eternal damnation. As a young teen who wanted to ride rides or win a prize at the fair games, it was just a spectacle. I have long abandoned both my youthful idea of an evangelical and the desire to ride roller coasters. As I grew in faith and experience, sharing the good news of Jesus became important. Yet, it wasn’t until I read Evangelicalism In Modern Britain, A History from the 1730s to the 1980s by historian David Bebbington that I began to intentionally explore something that I tacitly knew but without words: what is an important part of my faith journey.
Bebbington’s work examined the birth and growth of evangelicalism, in England. He approached it from the perspective of what it was, what influences impacted it and how it grew throughout a 150-year period and its influence on society[1]. The book is comprehensive so I will limit my focus on the four pillars of evangelicalism, and some of the factors that aided the spread of it.
The four quadrilaterals that are basic to evangelicalism according to Bebbington are:
- Conversionism: the belief that lives need to be changed and people need to turn away from their sinful ways[2].
- Activism: following the gospel requires effort in that it needs to be put into action[3].
- Biblicism: the primacy of the Bible as the authoritative word of God[4].
- Crucicentrism: the death of Jesus on the cross is God’s act of salvation where he redeemed humanity[5].
Prior to the emergence of evangelicalism, even as someone adhered to all the teachings of a church, a person would still wonder if they would qualify to live eternity with God. The Evangelical movement changed that. Those who adhered to the Evangelical Quadrilateral, could have assurance of their salvation[6].
An area of concern for me in Bebbington’s evangelical quadrilateral is the concept of activism. Bebbington’s theory affirmed that faith must be put into action. It required effort. This reminded me of a talk given by Dr. Jason Clark in Sept. 2023 in Oxford for the Portland Seminary students. He was talking about our motivation not to sin. One thought was that a good reason not to sin was to follow required rules out of obedience. The commandments say don’t do something, so you don’t. Yet, he posited that we aim not to sin because we love God so much that we don’t want to damage the relationship we have with God or another person who would hurt because of sinfulness[7]. It seems to me that the same premise might be applied to acts of service, kindness or other activities that would be considered activism. Wouldn’t it be lovely if Christians were so thankful for the many blessings of God that the joy poured out in service and kindness to others rather than from a sense of duty? Yet, there is concern that even though evangelicals believe that salvation lies with faith alone, it has swung back to seek evidence of assurance through good works[8].
There are a myriad of reasons why people do or do not attend church. Some suggest wealth brings distraction because things that can be purchased and entertainment are always available. Yet, poverty could impact both church attendance and non-attendance. Some families whose resources were so limited that they could not purchase food and clothing for their family may have been embarrassed they couldn’t give money to the church or purchase clothing that would be considered acceptable to wear to church[9]. Additionally, , in the nineteenth century, the practice of renting pews was common. Those who could not afford to rent a pew were relegated to seats behind pillars or in the back[10]. The church thus was segregated by wealth. Yet, some people were drawn to church because of the help they could get from people who seemed philanthropic[11]. Additionally, while evangelical religion was an avenue for upward mobility, it was by pulling people out of their circumstances rather than entering into their world[12]. During times of crisis, such as the cholera epidemic of 1832, the need for church swelled. Yet, after Covid-19 it dropped. Patterns change. Could it be our digital world is causing even more distractions?
This book reminded me of a meaningful time of my life when I was part of the Fun In The Son conferences for about 15 years. We’d have about 1000 youth and their leaders for a week at the beach each summer. The kids would come from the northeast USA for fun, games, music, and inspired speakers. Our goal was to preach the Gospel and give teens an opportunity to believe in the saving grace of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Because the conference was youth group focused, the students would go back to their home churches with youth pastors who would help nurture that faith.
Bebbington’s discussion of how capitalism was connected to Evangelicalism felt disturbing, yet believable. I wonder what growing disparities economically and politically will mean for evangelicalism today. Will people still be able to hear the gospel amid the clamor? Dr. Clark’s commented toward then end of class on Monday, Oct. 14th that the Holy Spirit can use even capitalism to bring people to faith (paraphrase) was an encouraging reminder that the bottom line for me is that no matter the method or mistakes, if we keep our eyes on Jesus, our imperfections might not get in the way of people coming to Jesus.
[1] D.W. Bebbington, Evangelicalism In Modern Britain, A history from the 1730s to the 1980s (New York, Routledge, 2002), ix.
[2] Bebbington, 3.
[3] Bebbington, 11.
[4] Bebbington, 12-13.
[5] Bebbington, 14.
[6] .Bebbington, 42.
[7] Jason Clark, Portland Seminary DLGP Oxford Advance, September 2023.
[8] Clark, Jason Paul, “Evangelicalism and Capitalism: A Reparative Account and Diagnosis of Pathogeneses in the Relationship” (2018). Faculty Publications – Portland Seminary, 76.
https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/gfes/132
[9] Bebbington, 112.
[10] Bebbington, 112.
[11] Bebbington, 120.
[12] Bebbington, 111.
About the Author
Diane Tuttle
9 responses to “A Look at the Past for the Future”
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Diane, you bring up some great points. I agree that there seems to be a bit of “requirement” about the quadrilateral and what is missing is the desire to respond to God out of joy and love. That, for me, means what is missing is an emphasis on RELATIONSHIP. Both with God and with others.
When people feel secure in being loved, and know they have both autonomy to explore and a secure base to return to (this is all attachment theory), they find it much easier to love others with generosity of spirit, kindness, and compassion.
What do you find gets in the way of knowing Jesus? (for you, maybe, but I’m asking more in general) And what, if anything, can be done about that?
Hi Debbie, Thanks for reading and your question. I think that something that would get in the way of knowing Jesus is to act like we are self sufficient and don’t need anything or anyone – circles back to lack of relationships, but more importantly being one’s own god. I do want to refer back to Bebbington where capitalism has its good and bad connections to evangelicalism. in my estimation, on the bad side in answer to your question, if people can buy anything they want their gods become the things they have. Again, they may not be paying attention to see Jesus waiting or hear His calling.
I love walking onto The Ohio State University campus, especially on a Football Saturday where the street preachers shout through their bullhorns that everyone is going to hell. Beautiful picture of how Jesus shared his love to others, or not.
You ask, “Can people hear the gospel amid the clamor?” If we can set aside our ideologies, I believe that showing the love and acceptance of Christ through our relationships with others will provide enough volume for anyone to hear. In what ways are you sharing the gospel of Christ through love and acceptance with others who may have a different lifestyle than you or differing political beliefs?
Hi Jeff, I work with a lot of people who do not believe as I do or live as I do. My hope is that by treating them based on our common work that they will be more willing to someday discuss other topics of greater and eternal meaning. In my work setting I am unable to initiate it verbally unless someone first starts that conversation. Thanks.
Hi Diane,
The dual nature of being both disturbing and believable underscores the complex relationship between religious movements and economic systems. I believe this invites readers to reflect on the potential impacts of such connections on the authenticity and mission of religious communities. How does this impact you?
Hi Shela, Within my church community I do not see a big conflict, even with the affluence. The gospel is preached and people sincerely try to respond to God saving grace by welcoming and caring for others. I do think, though, that Bebbingtons assessment of churches taking people out of their circumstances rather than entering into the “other’s” to meet them still holds true.
Hi Diane, I also felt disturbed by the links between evangelicalism and capitalism. Because I’m so immersed in both, it was hard for me to make the connection. I am curious how evangelicalism is any different in parts of the world that don’t have a capitalist structure.
Hi Diane, I greatly appreciated your thoughts concerning evangelical activism. I had similar concerns and responded to them in my post as well. When we approach activism with mere duty in mind, it feels hollow, and I believe non-Christians can sense this. What practices do you maintain to keep your heart sensitive towards authentic activism rather than just another duty?
Sidenote: I admire your heart for young people.
Hi Elysse, I think this smacked me in the face yesterday. I was doing my design workshop and an unhoused man came wondering into the space. We talked for a minute and it would have been easy to dismiss him. I caught myself and offered him some food – which he declined but asked for a bathroom – to which I led him. He really didn’t want much, just a few minutes, a place to use but after the reading this week I think I saw it differently. Not sure if it answers your question immediately but those few moments made me think of your blog – I don’t know that man and may never see him again so I can’t say we have a relationship – but the reading did spur me to take more time. Probably not a definitive answer but a growing edge.