The Younger Evangelicals: Facing the Challenges of the New World
Overview
Almost four decades ago, Richard Quebedeaux’s classic The Young Evangelicals told the story of a new generation of believers. Now, in The Younger Evangelicals, Robert Webber explores how another generation of emerging leaders is bringing sweeping change and renewal to the twenty-first-century evangelical church.
Webber examines the characteristics of these emerging leaders and provides an outlet for their stories. He gives an overview of twentieth-century evangelicalism and examines the differences between “younger,” “traditional” (1950–1975),” and “pragmatic” (1975–2000) attitudes toward faith and church practice.
Thought-provoking and timely, The Younger Evangelicals is a landmark book if you want to prepare for—and respond to—the new evangelical awakening brought on by our changing cultural context.
The Younger Evangelicals: Facing the Challenges of the New World is perfect for scholars, pastors, students, and laypeople. The Logos edition of this volume is fully searchable, and it connects with the rest of your digital library: Scripture passages link directly to your preferred translation, and important theological concepts link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources.
- Gives an overview of twentieth-century evangelicalism
- Examines the characteristics of emerging leaders
- Compares younger and traditional evangelism
If you’re suspicious about new winds blowing across the evangelical coastland, please don’t criticize until you’ve read The Younger Evangelicals. It is by far the most thoughtful description of what’s going on. If you’re not critical but just curious, Webber will give you a thorough immersion into the emerging church. And if you’re ‘younger’ yourself or young at heart, you’ll find Webber giving voice to much that you have felt but couldn’t yet articulate. Webber proves himself a sagely resource for this fresh, fledgling movement in this wise, warm, timely book.
—Brian McLaren, author, speaker, theologian
At a time when many graying prognosticators are bemoaning the state of the church, it is refreshing to read a commentator of Robert Webber’s stature who is optimistic about the future of the evangelical cause. Webber documents the presence of a cadre whom the Holy Spirit is raising up to lead the church in offering a biblically rooted, historically informed, and culturally aware gospel witness. I am personally encouraged by Webber’s findings.
—Stanley J. Grenz (1950–2005), evangelical scholar
The Younger Evangelicals is an eye-popping, brain-bending look at where the evangelical church must head if it has any hopes of impacting postmodern culture. A superbly researched, foundational work, it is easily the best primer on the emerging church that I have seen.
—Sally Morgenthaler, author, Worship Evangelism
- Title: The Younger Evangelicals: Facing the Challenges of the New World
- Author: Robert E. Webber
- Publisher: Baker
- Publication Date: 2002
- Pages: 288
Robert Webber (1933–2007) was known for his work on worship and the early church. The son of a Baptist minister, Webber was raised in the Belgian Congo where his parents were missionaries. He studied at Bob Jones University, Reformed Episcopal Seminary, Covenant Theological Seminary, and Concordia Seminary.
Webber taught theology at Wheaton College for 32 years and was the Myers Professor of Ministry at Northern Seminary. In 1998, as a part of the Convergence Movement, Webber founded The Robert E. Webber Institute of Worship Studies school which focused exclusively on worship education.
Later in his life, Webber took a special interest in Christian worship practice and wrote and edited more than 40 books on this topic including the Ancient-Future series and The Complete Library of Christian Worship.