Awakening the Evangelical Mind
An Intellectual History of the Neo-Evangelical Movement
- History & Biography
- Publisher: Zondervan Academic (Zondervan)
- Published: 2015
FritzSearch.com earns a commission on purchases made through Bookshop.org links.
Publisher's Description
The first major study to draw upon unknown or neglected sources, as well as original interviews with figures like Billy Graham, Awakening the Evangelical Mind uniquely tells the engaging story of how evangelicalism developed as an intellectual movement in the middle of the 20th century. Beginning with the life of Harold Ockenga, Strachan shows how Ockenga brought together a small community of Christian scholars at Harvard University in the 1940s who agitated for a reloaded Christian intellect. With fresh insights based on original letters and correspondence, Strachan highlights key developments in the movement by examining the early years and humble beginnings of such future evangelical luminaries as George Eldon Ladd, Edward John Carnell, John Gerstner, Gleason Archer, Carl Henry, and Kenneth Kantzer.
Endorsements (6)
“Owen Strachan’s excellent work on the development of twentieth-century “classical evangelicalism” is illuminating and even inspirational. It also is realistic about the barriers that can block our best intentions. But in the end I was impressed that we don’t have the same godly ambition today as leaders such as Harold John Ockenga, Carl Henry, Billy Graham, and (in the UK) John Stott. The account is convicting and motivating.”
“an important dimension for the new evangelical movement associated with Billy Graham and continues to have significant effects through the institutions shaped by that generation. Strachan introduces new material for telling this story and tells the story well.”
“Studded with rich insights, Awakening the Evangelical Mind is a page-turning book that chronicles the efforts of Harold Ockenga, Carl F. H. Henry, Kenneth S. Kantzer, Billy Graham, and others to reinvigorate the “evangelical mind” after World War II. Author Owen Strachan helps his readers to sense the joys and poignant disappointments of these men as they pursued their important campaign. Based on previously unexploited archives, this is a study no student of the American evangelical movement can afford to miss.”
“Owen Strachan locates the birth of neo-evangelicalism in an improbable place: along the banks of the Charles River, in Harvard’s hallowed halls and Boston’s venerable Park Street Church. There, during the era of World War II, a formidable group of “Boston scholars” dreamed of fashioning an intellectually powerful movement that could help reach America for Christ. Anyone wanting to understand the continuing strength of evangelical faith in America should read this fascinating book.”
“brilliantly researched and carefully written work offers us much more than a recounting of this important movement. Through the eyes of Harold Ockenga, Carl Henry, E. J. Carnell, and others, Awakening the Evangelical Mind provides us with fresh insights into the shaping of relationships, the formation—and attempted formation—of important institutions, and an even-handed analysis of the accomplishments and setbacks of those who were at the center of these most significant days in the history of the American evangelical movement. We salute Owen Strachan for this masterful contribution!”
“to contemporary evangelical Christians to take up that important task yet again.”
See something wrong on this page? Report a problem