After Evangelicalism

The Path to a New Christianity

By: David P. Gushee

Narrated by: Adam Verner

Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Millions are getting lost in the evangelical maze: inerrancy, indifference to the environment, deterministic Calvinism, purity culture, racism, LGBTQ discrimination, male dominance, and Christian nationalism. They are now conscientious objectors, deconstructionists, perhaps even "none and done". As one of America's leading academics speaking to the issues of religion today, David Gushee offers a clear assessment and a new way forward for disillusioned post-evangelicals. 

Gushee starts by analyzing what went wrong with US white evangelicalism in areas such as evangelical history and identity, biblicism, uncredible theologies, and the fundamentalist understandings of race, politics, and sexuality. Along the way, he proposes new ways of Christian believing and of listening to God and Jesus today. He helps post-evangelicals know how to belong and behave, going from where they are to a living relationship with Christ and an intellectually cogent and morally robust post-evangelical faith. He shows that they can have a principled way of understanding scripture, a community of Christ's people, a healthy politics, and can repent and learn to listen to people on the margins. 

With a foreword from Brian McLaren, who says, "David Gushee is right: there is indeed life after evangelicalism," this book offers an essential handbook for those looking for answers and affirmation of their journey into a future that is post-evangelical but still centered on Jesus. If you, too, are struggling, After Evangelicalism shows that it is possible to cut loose from evangelical Christianity and, more than that, it is necessary.  

©2020 David P. Gushee (P)2020 eChristian

Critic reviews

"Drawing on his own spiritual journey, David Gushee provides an incisive critique of American evangelicalism [and] offers a succinct yet deeply informed guide for post-evangelicals seeking to pursue Christ-honoring lives." (Kristin Kobes Du Mez, Calvin University)

For Former Evangelicals who are still Christian

While the book acknowledges that some leaving Evangelicalism will leave faith, or at least the Christian faith, altogether, I believe this book is of most value to us who truly believe in Jesus Christ and the Holy Trinity, but believe that Evangelicalism as practiced in the United States in the first two decades of the 21st century is a hindrance rather than an aid in finding and worshiping the God of the Old and New Testaments. Having grown up in an Evangelical household and having worshiped as an Evangelical for six decades, I have watched with sadness and horror as the welcoming, optimistic Evangelicalism of my youth has transmogrified into an exclusivity, pessimistic mess. As a child, my mother was the adult Sunday school teacher for both sexes 30 and older in our church. I believe that another woman served that role before she did, though that was before my memory. In the Evangelicalism I left, such a leadership role for women had been denied for at least two decades. Dr. Gushee has witnessed similar problems, though he traces them back to a time before I was even born, and he offers insights for those of us who have had enough, but still believe in the God who we used to find in Evangelicalism.

Love the message. Pushed through the narration.

This subject is so very important to me, and David P. Gushee is an incredibly reliable and trusted source for this information. As emotional as this message is for so many, the narration was sterile, robotic, and without emotion. I had to push through and past the voice I was hearing to be able to receive the message. I will buy the physical book and look forward to reading with the spirit and emotion I know was intended.

Excellent guide for us post-evangelicals

Gushee explores the many ways in which Evangelicalism has formed many of us and what it looks to reform our beliefs and lives after we find it inadequate in a variety of ways. Definite recommend.

All evangelical problems lead to Trump in this book.

While there were interesting parts of this book, the fact that most trains of thought ended with Trump was disappointing.

Positive and hopeful

My background is very similar to that of Mr. Gushee, growing up Southern Baptist in the late 70s and early 80s, and I can relate to much of what he says. There’s no shortage of negative things that can be said about American evangelicalism, of course, but Gushee’s discussion is so loving, hopeful, and positive! He reminds me of why I fell in love with Jesus in the first place, and presents an exciting path forward. If you have grown discouraged in your Christian walk due to bad experiences in the evangelical church, read this book! You will be glad you did.

Terrible

If you’re looking for something foundational. Something to build upon after deconstruction then look elsewhere. If you’re looking to smash your deconstruction into dust with no hope of ever building something solid to stand on again, then I guess this book is for you.

Food for Thought

A comprehensive review of history and theology of white American Evangelicalism. I appreciated Gushee's scriptural support enough to buy th print copy for study. Thoughtful evangelicals will listen and adjust.

A lot to consider

One can't write off evangelicals because they are Christian brothers and sisters. I don't think Mr. Gusher is without bias himself. Still I believe his version of things and want to use it to feel affirmed rather than vindictive.

Whew!

So refreshing! It is such a relief to hear theology that rings true and not hollow.

An understanding of evangelicals in the US

I have struggled with my faith for the past several years. I know what Jesus preached, and what I’ve seen in the US has been in confit to with that. This book is helping me continue to believe in Jesus and ask the important questions of religion.