2
Contents
Introduction....................................................................................................3
Summary........................................................................................................3
Critical analysis..............................................................................................4
Conclusion......................................................................................................6
Bibliography...................................................................................................7
3
Introduction
In the book The American Evangelical Story: A History of the Movement, author Douglas A.
Sweeney is a church historian and a Dean of Beeson Divinity School and a who tells the most
incredible story about the movement of evangelical. He provides a history of the diverse activity
of evangelicalism in America in the eighteenth through the twentieth century that exposes the
trials faced by the church in the early years. Sweeney determines to show the reader how the
evangelical movement influences the Christian faith. His story shows how the Great Awakening
affected the evangelical movement in America, which helps us to understand the experience the
movement endured and how it profoundly affected the modern-day Christian church.
Summary
Sweeney commences his work by explaining what evangelical means, starting with The Great
Commission that comes from the book of Matthew, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit. teaching
them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the
end of the age.”1 (Matt 28:19-20). Sweeney states in the first paragraph of his book, “We are
people of the Great Commission found in the Scripture text above.2 After his brief introduction
and interpretation, concerning Evangelicalism’s past, from its Puritan origins and pietism to the
first and second Great Awakening through the revivalist movement during the early years of the
1 Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the New King James Version.
2 Douglas A. Sweeney, The American Evangelical Story: A History of the Movement (Grand Rapids, MI:
Baker Academic, 2005), 17.
4
Protestant Reformation. Sweeney also brought up many revivalists who started the movement,
such as George Whitefield, Jonathon Edwards, and John Wesley. He also highlighted the
infighting among the Protestants that fragmented into various groups, stating, “Protestant leaders
began infighting in much the same way as they fought the Catholics. No piety and politics, they
developed regional churches that further fractured Christ’s body.”3 The primary purpose of
Sweeney is to point out the evangelical movement that stemmed from individuals with various
backgrounds and inspire the reader to look at what would unite rather than hinder the believers
because of their difference.
Critical analysis
Sweeney did an excellent job telling his story concerning the movement of evangelicals. His
purpose was to show how rich the movement’s history experienced substantial changes through
its history. Furthermore, Sweeney describes the evangelical characteristics of Timothy George,
stating:
“Evangelicals are a worldwide family of Bible-believing Christians committed to sharing
with everyone everywhere the transforming good news of new life in Jesus Christ, an
utter gift that comes through faith alone in the crucified and risen Savior.”4
Sweeney eventually describes the Evangelicals as " Evangelicals comprise a movement that is
rooted in classical Christian orthodoxy, shaped by a largely Protestant understanding of the
3 Ibid, 28
4 Ibid, 18
5
gospel, and distinguished from other such movements by an eighteenth-century twist.”5 He also
states that the protestant reformation and the great awakening shaped the evangelical perspective
that made them unique. Scott says that Sweeney, “explores the movement through major
character and events that place American evangelicalism at the center of the worldwide
movement.”6 That work would comprise issues such as things that others shy away from. For
example, in his chapter entitled “Crossing the Color Line Without Working to Erase It,”
Sweeney states, “The evangelical movement has suffered from the sins of racial prejudice ever
since it first emerged from the eighteenth-century Great Awakening.”7 How could it be possible
to tell the history of evangelicalism in America without recognizing the issues of racism that
formed its culture within its institutions and its theological understanding? As Sweeney states,
“While white evangelicals did not invent the sins of racism…, they have either participated in or
sanctioned one or more of these things, distorting their shared witness to the gospel.”8 Rather
than ignoring the facts, he brought forth these issues that many evangelicals would rather forget
about dark periods of evangelical history by supporting African Americans in providing a
platform to develop their faith. No matter how much support and aid they provided, the fact
remains that racism exists within the church’s history. Another author named Miles Mullin
5 Ibid, 24
6 E.B. Scott, "The American Evangelical Story: A History of the Movement."GChoiceG43, no. 6 (02, 2006):
1030.
7 Douglas A. Sweeney, The American Evangelical Story: A History of the Movement (Grand Rapids, MI:
Baker Academic, 2005), 108.
8 Ibid, 108.
6
acknowledged that Sweeney was “honest about his subject’s shortcomings.”9 Sweeney
completes his viewpoint on evangelicalism history by stating, “I pray that the burden of this
book—to refresh our shared, historical memory—may help us to regain our spiritual bearings.”10
Nevertheless, it seems that he points out what issues were brought up. However, he never gave
his viewpoint on how to solve the problems that still exist today among evangelicals, specifically
regarding the issue of race within the church.
Conclusion
Sweeney’s book is perceptive and should be used by spiritual people as well as those that are
nonspiritual. The information offerings provide a clear picture concerning America’s religious
belief that addresses some of the issues central to American society, such as segregation and
racial issues that plague the church. Sweeney was not fearful of showing the dark side of the
evangelical issues but instead exploited those issues regarding the mindset within the evangelical
movement. Additionally, his book has provided the dark past of the evangelical movement and
the leaders and accomplishments it has produced. Overall, this is an excellent book for anybody
wanting to know more and to understand the evangelical movement and the tireless effort
Christians had to endure to accomplish or strive to do God’s work to take the gospel message to
the world.
9 Miles S. Mullin, II, “Book Review: The American Evangelical Story: A History of the Movement,” Fides
et Historia 37/38 (2/1) (Summer 2005/2006): 278
10 Ibid, 185.
7
Bibliography
Mullin, Miles S., II. “Book Review: The American Evangelical Story: A History of the
Movement.” Fides et Historia 37/38 (2/1) (Summer 2005/2006)
Scott, E. B. "The American Evangelical Story: A History of the Movement." Choice 43, no. 6
(02, 2006): 1030
Sweeney, Douglas A. The American Evangelical Story: A History of the Movement. Grand
Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
