LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Book Analysis II
Assignment: The American Evangelical Story
Submitted to Dr. David Pederson in partial fulfillment.
of the requirements for the completion of`
CHHI 525-D01
History of Christianity II
by
Carlinda Rashid
Student ID-L03511260
April 23, 2023
Contents
Introduction............................................................................................................................3
Brief Summary........................................................................................................................3
Critical Summary.....................................................................................................................4
Conclusion..............................................................................................................................6
Bibliography............................................................................................................................7
Introduction
The author Douglas A. Sweeney is a church historian, author, and “second dean of
Beeson Divinity School,”1 provides a thorough history that outlines the truly diverse movement
of American evangelicalism in the account entitled “The American Evangelical Story: A History of
the Movement. The American Evangelical Story is an ongoing narrative that includes periods of
religious persecutions, reforms and radical movements within the various denominations all
listed under this religious heading. The American Evangelical story “emerged three centuries
ago out of a spiritual movement or commonly known as the Great Awakening.”2
Brief Summary
Douglas A. Sweeney sets the tone for this book with Matthew 28:18-20, the Great
Commission. The Great Commission gave the disciples and future generations of people of God
the outline and foundational principles for the mission of outreach and evangelism. The author
presents the history of the American Evangelical Movement, and he conveys in this narrative
the historical truth without concealing the mistakes and blindsides of this movement. This book
begins with the Puritans and concludes with Evangelist Billy Graham. Sweeney’s purpose for the
writing The American Evangelical Story: A History of the Movement, is best summarized in the
final paragraph found in this book, which states “I pray that the burden of this book---to refresh
our shared, historical memory--- may help us to regain our spiritual bearings. And I trust that a
fresh appropriation of our common heritage, though surely limited severely by our own
historical blinders can be used by God to bless the church for many years to come.”3
Sweeney begins this historical narrative with a detailed description of the meaning and
characteristics of the word Evangelical. “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 utterly free gift that comes through faith alone in the crucified and risen
1 Samford University. “Douglas A. Sweeney-Beeson Divinity.”
https://www.beesondivinity.com
2 Douglas A. Sweeney. The American Evangelical Story: A History of the
Movement. (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic), 2005.
3 Ibid.
Savior.”4 The theme of this book is perseverance due to religious opposition and enduring the
struggles while sharing the gospel of peace.
Critical Interaction
Douglas A. Sweeney authored a fantastic book in which he should be commendable for
the impressive job of defining and expressing the term evangelical. He analyzes the original
Greek and presents modern viewpoints and presenting the “characteristics and tenets of faith”5
by theologians Alister McGrath and David Bebbington. The author sets the foundation for the
evangelical movement by recounting the history of the first and second Great Awakening which
resulted in “the Azusa Street Revival proved to the unusually interracial of radical
HolinessPentecostalism. Sweeney stated evangelicals come in different shapes and sizes, but
they participate in hundreds of different denominations. But the vast majority are Protestants,
and among the Protestants there are Lutheran, Reformed, Anabaptist, Calvinists and Arminians
evangelicals.”6
In my perspective, I feel the author’s point of view for this book was to give validity to
the Evangelicals from every aspect of their history, which includes the good, bad and the ugly. In
presenting this point of view, Douglas Sweeney drafted this book from a theological and
historical perspective imputing biblical references corresponding with each Evangelical
character that reflected their Christian mission and journey. By opening this book with the
scriptural reference from Matthew 28:19-20, Sweeney presents the purpose contained in this
book. And that purpose encompassed the charge for ministry to all people of God, initiating the
outline for the call of duty for all denominations the plan of salvation.
4 Douglas A. Sweeney. The American Evangelical Story: A History of the
Movement. (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic), 2005.
5 Ibid.
6 Ibid.
The author’s goal for this book is to show all historical viewpoints which includes not
only men, but women, minorities that includes (African and Native Americans), and so many
others. Joshua R. Ziefle states “Sweeney assets that it twists”7 of the revivalistic Great
Awakening that helps to provide evangelicalism with its central operating care. Walter Russell
Mead states “Sweeney should be especially commended for trying to overcome the common
tendency among evangelical intellectuals to give undue weight to “dead white male Calvinists.”
Sweeney’s history is more inclusive, giving greater weight to those minorities, women,
Arminians, Holinesses, and Pentecostals who have often had a greater impact on religious life.”8
Douglas A. Sweeney proves his point for this book for highlighting the Evangelicals
interesting past and current outreach missions for reaching the lost of the word. The strength of
this book is centered around the historical and theological content on the subject topic of
evangelism. There are two major weaknesses noted in this book. The first was that the author
ended this book with the Reverend Billy Graham. And the second weakness observed was how
the audiences were still segregation giving validity to that minorities and women were viewed in
Evangelicalism as second-class citizens.
From a personal perspective, would I use this book as a reference for teaching the Evangelical
history? Yes, because learning our history is vital so mistakes can be avoided, and this book is an
excellent tool and reference for all people especially those in ministry.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The American Evangelical Story: A History of the Movement, is a book that
is historical, biblical, and theological reference that can educate all people especially those in
clergy. Douglas A Sweeney accomplished his goal in authoring this book on the Evangelical
history, but modern history has changed that narrative. This book presents the history
concluding at the Reverend Billy Graham, but in recent the evangelical history, their story has
7 Joshua R. Ziefle. Religious Studies Review Vol 32 no. 2 https://onlinelibrary-wiley-
com.ezproxy.liberty.edu
8 Walter Russell Mead. “The United States—The American Evangelical Story: A
History of the Movement.” Foreign Affairs (May-June 2006), pp. 160. https://www.link-
gale-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu.
been linked to controversy. Many current evangelical leaders have aligned themselves with
controversial political opponents that marred the public view of their previous historical image.
Bibliography
Samford University. “Douglas A. Sweeney-Beeson Divinity.” https://www.beesondivinity.com
Russell Mead, Walter Russell. “The United States—The American Evangelical Story: A History of
the Movement.” Foreign Affairs (May-June 2006), pp. 160. https://www.link-
gale- com.ezproxy.liberty.edu .
Sweeney, Douglas A. The American Evangelical Story: A History of the Movement. (Grand
Rapids: Baker Academic), 2005.
Ziefle, Joshua R. Religious Studies Review Vol 32 no. 2 https://onlinelibrary-wiley
com.ezproxy.liberty.edu
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