Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 3-144 (Book Review)

YOUNGER EVANGELICALS – Facing the Challenges of the New World

A Book Review by Siu Fung Wu =============

A new generation of leaders —————————

Younger Evangelicals (Baker Books, 2002) is an outstanding book written by Robert E. Webber. This book speaks of an emerging generation of leaders, whose longing is to see a relational, intergenerational, intercultural, committed Christian community that embodies the gospel in every aspect of daily life.

In the post-World War 2 period great evangelicals like Billy Graham led the church through decades of remarkable evangelism. In the 1980’s and 90’s we saw a renewed interest in charismatic gifts, the rise of contemporary worship, and the blossoming of mega-churches.

But in the 21st century, Webber tells us, there is an exciting development among young leaders, whose focus is not numeric church growth or feel-good music. Instead, the emphasis is on genuine relationship, servanthood leadership, and a return to ancient church traditions. Webber calls this new generation of Christians “younger evangelicals”.

The traditional, pragmatic and younger evangelicals —————————————————

Webber helpfully contrasts these “younger” Christians with two previous groups of evangelicals, namely, the “traditional” and the “pragmatic”. The former was prominent in the post-WW2 period (1950- 75) and was characterised by rational apologetics and evangelistic rallies. The latter consists of boomers (1975-2000) whose focus was to answer people’s needs with an emphasis on church growth, success, market-targeting, and strong leadership.

The “younger” evangelicals (2000 onwards; the twenty-somethings and the young-at-heart), however, have a very different approach to ministry. For them, Christianity is not so much about arguing that the Christian faith is reasonable or answering felt needs, but demonstrating Christ through the community of faith.

The younger evangelical thinking ——————————–

About one third of the book is devoted to outlining the thinking of younger evangelicals. Often their thoughts are contrasted with those of the traditional and pragmatic evangelicals. This makes the book challenging, provocative, but refreshing in many ways.

For example, the theological approach of younger evangelicals is different from that of the traditional evangelicals. For a long time evangelicals put emphasis on rationalism. Faith was expressed in a set of propositions. “Systematic” theology was taught in seminaries. But younger evangelicals place a new focus on the “stories” in the Scriptures – e.g. the creation story; the story of the fall; and the “salvation story [that] centers on the incarnation and subsequent events” (p. 86).

Although younger evangelicals live and seek to communicate the gospel in the postmodern world, their thinking differ from postmodern philosophy. A prime example is that they believe in the existence of the biblical metanarrative – ie. the overarching redemptive “story” of the Bible. Postmodern thinkers, on the other hand, believe that there are many stories and each of them is valid. Thus younger evangelicals are counterculture.

In terms of ecclesiology (doctrine of the church), younger evangelicals see the church as an eschatological people. Unlike many other evangelicals, their concern is not to have a well-argued eschatology (end-time theology), but to become “a community that prefigures the future and expresses a foretaste of the kingdom to come” (p. 113).

This community is inclusive, and is committed to being intergenerational and intercultural. Indeed it is intentionally ecumenical, seeing no barriers between denominations.

The younger evangelicals in practice ————————————

One may wonder how practical these younger evangelical thoughts are. Webber is keen to demonstrate that these young leaders are no daydreamers, but committed practitioners of the gospel.

About two-thirds of the book is written to describe the younger evangelicals in action. The chapter titles aptly illustrate what these young leaders do. Here are some examples.

“Being Church: From Market to Mission” “Pastors: From Power to Servanthood” “Youth Ministers: From Parties to Prayer” “Educators: From Information to Formation” “Spiritual Formation: from Legalism to Freedom” “Evangelists: From Rallies to Relationships”

These titles highlight the characteristics of traditional and pragmatic evangelicals, and the distinctive features of younger evangelicals.

Younger evangelicals do not particularly like the market-driven church style and party-like youth rallies of the boomer churches. Nor do they enjoy the legalistic spirituality of earlier evangelicals. They prefer what is real, genuine and relationship- oriented.

They believe that leadership does not belong to those with charisma and power, but those who truly desire to serve. They have problems with the evangelical seminaries where rationalism dominates the curriculum. For them, true education “forms character, wisdom, spiritual sensitivity, and servanthood leadership”. It is “not only knowledge but knowledge embodied and lived out individually and in community” (p.171).

An overreaction? —————-

Although many of the thoughts and practices of younger evangelicals are commendable, one wonders whether they are overreacting to their evangelical predecessors.

Throughout the book Webber suggests that younger evangelicals want to return to the spirituality and practices of the ancient church. Incense, icons, candles and sacramental worship are frequently mentioned. This will cause concern for many readers.

Some younger evangelicals “have introduced a number of things from past Christian history that have been left out of the contemporary church”. These things include “liturgy and creeds”, “icons and art during worship”, and “saints and ancient writers for their questions, insights and depth” (p. 179).

No doubt there is profound value and wisdom in the sacramental traditions and ancient church writings, and we should learn to appreciate their spirituality. But the idea of using icons and symbols to assist worship does sound like a substitute for the 30- minute contemporary worship that younger evangelicals reject (which is probably the result of their reaction against mega-churches).

True worship has to be in Spirit and in truth. Spiritual formation has to be thoroughly God-centred and hence must be through the Spirit. Whether “liturgy and symbols” is a better form of worship than “contemporary worship” is moot. But worship without the Spirit is not worship at all.

Just like any other Christian book, the reader has to carefully examine the Scriptures and rely on the Spirit for discernment. Webber’s Younger Evangelicals is no exception.

Conclusion ———-

Webber’s book is full of insight into what may turn out to be a movement that will shape the future of the church.

If you are a traditional evangelical, and you are concerned about the superficiality of the pragmatists, you will be delighted to find that the younger generation is longing for depth and substance. If you are a pragmatic evangelical, but find that your ministry has reached a plateau, this book will give you insight into the way forward.

Younger Evangelicals by Webber – a refreshing and rewarding reading.

Notes:

Robert E. Webber is professor at Northern Seminary and emeritus professor at Wheaton College

– Siu Fung Wu <>