By: Mario Hood on January 24, 2019
Karl Polanyni’s, The Great Transformation: The Political and Economic Origins of Our Time, is considered a seminal work in the field of political economics[1] as well as a classic in other fields such as sociology, political science, and anthropology.[2] While tracing the historical roots of the modern day economic system known as the free market,…
By: John Muhanji on January 20, 2019
The book of Acts 8:25 “After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lords and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.” The evangelical movement responded to the call and purpose of the Jesus ministry. Reading the book by Bebbington “Evangelicalism in Modern Britain: A…
By: Tammy Dunahoo on January 19, 2019
Bebbington’s Evangelicalism in Modern Britain: A History from 1730s to the 1980s is welcomed as a survey of this important part of the social and religious fabric of Britain’s history that had previously been given little attention from a scholarly perspective. His inclusion of Wales and Scotland in the integration of Britain, as well as…
By: Wallace Kamau on January 19, 2019
Christianity has had a great influence on the culture of nations in a profound way. From when Jesus started ministry with recruitment and training of His disciples in Israel to the spread of Christianity to every nation on earth, its influence has been profound. It’s therefore interesting that author David Bebbington[1] looks at the history…
By: Mary Mims on January 18, 2019
William Wilberforce (24 August 1759 – 29 July 1833), is well-known in Ohio by the town and Historically Black University named after him. Although he is known for his humanitarian efforts as an abolitionist, seeking to end slavery in both England and America, outside of this Ohio town, few in America know about his great work. …
By: Karen Rouggly on January 17, 2019
I love the feeling I get after a job well done. It’s like you know you’ve accomplished something good and worthwhile. I think you can sense that in the work of others too. When you look at a good painting, like Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh, you just get the feeling of fulfilled accomplishment. I…
By: Nancy VanderRoest on January 17, 2019
Change in today’s world is inevitable. Yet, what is it that creates ongoing change? Albert Einstein explained that: “The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” I love that! Change comes about through new thoughts and new perspectives. But it also takes…
By: Jenn Burnett on January 17, 2019
The formation of identity groups has divided people throughout history. Whether by geography, biology or idealogical identification, the creation of the ‘we’ is simultaneously dependent on the creation of a ‘them’. The bulk of scripture leans heavily on the ‘we’ being the chosen people of God—the Israelites who grow to identify as the Jewish people.…
By: Mario Hood on January 17, 2019
David Bebbington in his work, Evangelicalism in Modern Britain, while covering a historical board period, provides rich insights into the rise and spread of this movement throughout Britain. In order to track the movement Bebbington’s central thesis is that Evangelicalism can be identified on the basis of four core characteristics: conversionism, activism, biblicism, and crucicentrism.[1]…
By: Rev Jacob Bolton on January 17, 2019
A few years ago, I had the incredible opportunity to hear Dr. Monica Coleman speak. Dr. Monica A. Coleman, a native Michigander (!), is the Associate Professor of Constructive Theology and African American Religions at Claremont School of Theology and Associate Professor of Religion at Claremont Graduate University. She’s also an ordained elder in the…
By: Andrea Lathrop on January 17, 2019
Bebbington’s Evangelicalism in Modern Britain[1]was more engaging than I hoped. It continues to dawn on me that I understand my world better when I understand my heritage better. This study of evangelical faith heritage aids my assimilation of Grenz’s integrative trialogue for theological formation through scripture, church heritage and cultural context[2]. Bebbington makes the case…
By: Harry Edwards on January 17, 2019
The oft-quoted English aphorism, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is a good rule of thumb. However, if something is broken, fixing it in most cases is preferable to replacing it. But I highly doubt the saying will catch on. Is Evangelicalism in need of fixing as pundits seem to suggest?1 Are we ready…
By: Rhonda Davis on January 17, 2019
Bebbington’s Evangelicalism in Modern Britain seems to have filled a gap in academic writing with this comprehensive look at the effect of evangelicalism on British society.[1] Even though some reviews such as Watts[2] and Rutz[3] have censured Bebbington for ignoring some of the more negative critiques of the movement, they have also expressed gratitude for…
By: Sean Dean on January 17, 2019
My two oldest kids have reached the point in their math studies where they are learning how to add and subtract mixed numbers like 1 4⁄5 + 2 2⁄3 = 4 7⁄15. If you can remember back to fifth grade math class the process is to find the lowest common denominator, add across, and reduce…
By: Digby Wilkinson on January 17, 2019
History is complicated because it records and interprets multifaceted humanity at work. Our capacity to simultaneously recognise and ignore the past is a reason our future is unpredictable; we do not follow logical lines of growth, instead we respond to set events at certain times without reference to the necessary causes creating the contexts in…
By: Wallace Kamau on December 30, 2018
I was eager to go to Hong Kong and had my expectations of what the city looks like but was not sure what to expect in terms of immigration officials and the hospitality of the people of Hong Kong. I was excited and really looking forward to meet my cohort LPG 9, other cohort members…
By: Harry Fritzenschaft on December 28, 2018
Bebbington’s Evangelicalism in Modern Britain took me back to my own faith experiences which began in the mid-‘70s. I was particularly drawn to chapter 7 which dealt with the charismatic movement. While my dad grew up in the culturally Catholic state of Bavaria Germany, my mom grew up in a southern Primitive Baptist environment heavily…
By: Shermika Harvey on December 21, 2018
He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight[1]. The DNA of fighters run profusely through my veins. I fight for my people, my heritage, my blood rite. I fight for the lost, the marginalized, the discarded and the abuse. However, when the fight comes to my front door, who will…
By: John Muhanji on December 21, 2018
By: John Muhanji on December 2, 2018
Christianity View of Theology in Relationship with Spirituality. All through this term and the selection of books Jason chose for the class are amazing and making one think a reflection on what is being brought out. From where I am coming from, and the cultural perspectives and believes of what theology is vis-à-vis the spirituality…
