EE Book Club: Chapter 1 “Evangelical is Not Enough”

Posted on January 27, 2010 by elizabeth

Welcome! This week we're discussing Chapter 1 of Evangelical is Not Enough by Thomas Howard. I've recorded some personal thoughts and reflections/stories on Chapter 1 in the video below. Further down you'll find background information on the author and an outline of Chapter 1. Please feel free to join the discussion/ask questions in the comment box–even if you haven't read the book. This is the only week I'll be doing a video since we'll be covering more material in the next two weeks. Enjoy!

Author Background: 

Dr. Thomas Howard was raised in an Evangelical home. His sister is the well-known author and missionary, Elisabeth Elliot. Dr. Howard taught English for 40 years at Gordon College and then St. John's Seminary. He wrote Evangelical is Not Enough in 1984. 

Chapter 1 Summary: 

Dr. Howard opens the book by tracing the evangelical influences of his childhood faith. These included the Scofield Reference Bible, Campus Crusade for Christ, The Navigators, Wycliffe Bible Translators and Billy Graham among others.

A Biblical Base: the evangelicals of Howard's youth stressed "the Bible alone as the touchstone for our doctrine, piety and order." This resonates with me because, like Howard, I was raised to study and read the Scripture for  myself–and to believe the Bible as the inerrant Word of God. Like Howard, I am deeply grateful for the love of God's Word that was instilled in me at an early age.

The Atonement: evangelicals have a deep reverence for the substitutionary death of Christ on the cross and an understanding that our redemption was paid for by His own blood.

The Second Coming: liberal Christians seem to think that the human condition will gradually improve until finally, world peace is achieved. Orthodox Christians, like evangelicals,  say that things will probably get worse and only Christ's second coming will bring an end to all wrongs.

Judgment, Witnessing and Missions, The Will of God: evangelicals believe in a literal Hell and thus are compelled by a certain holy urgency to share the good news of Christ with any and all they meet. Even as young children, evangelicals are taught how to share their faith and pray for God to show them His will for their lives.

Behavior, Conscience & Piety: the conservative evangelical lifestyle can sometimes be distinguished by an abstinence from things like: gambling, drinking, cussing. Howard calls this "cleanliness" and admires the noble intention of promoting holiness. Again, evangelicals engage in daily Bible reading and consider it the defining practice of their faith.

Discussion:

Even if you haven't read the book, please feel free to join the discussion or ask questions. Next week we discuss chapters 2-5 and the following week, chapters 6-10.

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  • http://livinginthemystery.blogspot.com/ Little M

    I come from a somewhat Catholic background in that my family occasionally went to mass but God stayed at church when we went home! As an adult I am just starting on a Christian journey but not in the Catholic faith. However, I do have an appreciation for the universal church and I’m keeping an open mind.

    I read this book a few weeks ago based on your recommendation. I have to admit that I found the first chapter a little boring -especially because I was unfamiliar with a lot of the Evangelical references, but I’m glad I stuck with it because the remainder of the book was beautifully written and insightful.

  • Fae

    I was very excited about joining your book club. I have wanted to join an actual book club for some time but because of timing have not been able to do it locally. I was not to sure of the book title but that is the point – to expose yourself to literature that you would not normally read. Since the book shares background I will share a little of mine so maybe any comments that I make might be understood. I come from an nondenominational evangelical background. I was taught that the bible was the only authority and really have no knowledge of the other writings such as the apostles creed. I believe that all the other things listed except for the second coming were things I were taught as a child. Actually, I do not remember much even being taught about the second coming-just if you obeyed the bible that the end reward is this wonderful place called heaven. The thing I struggled most with is being envious of others who seemed to have such a closer relationship with God and seemed more grounded in their faith. I will try to explain this as best as I can. I grew up in a church that believed that only those who belonged to that church would go to heaven. I was taught to never identify myself as a Baptist, Methodist etc. We were Christians. I always had a hard time reconciling that with the fact that the “Baptist” family down the street were better Christians than me or my family. Anyway, as an adult I have come to realize that maybe those labels as Baptists, Methodists, etc are not as important as the life that is lived based on the teachings of the Bible. It will be interesting to read the rest of the book to see how the author comes to be where he is in is faith.

  • http://www.elizabethesther.com Elizabeth Esther

    Little M: I can definitely understand how Chapter 1 would drag a little for someone who is unfamiliar with the many Evangelical references. Thanks for hanging in there and I’m so glad you enjoyed the rest of the book.

    Fae: Thank you for your thoughts. It sounds like we had very similar backgrounds. I, too, was completely unfamiliar with the creeds and writings of the early church. This book really helped give me a wider knowledge of Christianity as a whole. Thank you for sharing!

  • http://jenngrant.blogspot.com jenn grant

    I really appreciated two things. One was the whole thing about the ‘modern day’ church trying to be like everyone else, standards, and that whole thing.
    I think this is a really big thing because, it is actually something that Daniel and I have been frustrated by over and over when we look for churches.
    Things like watered down messages, trying to be cool, making everyone feel good because we dont want them to leave……….seem a little compromising.

    Also we have run into so many people who profess to be christians and you could never ever tell. Although I do have to add here that we have come across some ‘non christians’ who would put us christians to shame.

    There is also the other extreme of course (like where we came from). It seems as if finding a middle, still honoring God road is hard to do.

    Another good point too is, the whole preaching on the plane, looking for someone to rescue, and evangelizing whenever and wherever because you never know if you will ever see this person again, let alone be the last christian this person ever sees point.

    Recently, our pastor talked about this. I am like you, I kinda freak out when it comes to evangelizing and being evangelized to.

    It was never something I was good at and was always confused that when I tried, it never seemed to turn into an instant salvation situation.

    Anyways, our pastor said, that we are simply the carriers of reconciliation. It is not up to us to actually make the reconciliation happen.

    That was so relieving to me because it freed me from thinking that if this person whom I am talking to does not get saved this instant, it is ok!!!
    Don’t I believe in a big loving God? Doesn’t He want these people to be saved? If it doesnt happen this time around don’t I believe Him to be big to make it happen for that person another way?

    Cultivating relationships and showing God’s love in little ways is sometimes much more powerful than trying to get a person to turn or burn!

    Anyways, all of these things are near and dear to our hearts and I am so glad we can talk about them in a non threatening environment! :)

    love ya

  • hope t.

    Loved the video:) You started out talking about the personal relationship that an evangelical is to cultivate with the Lord that is to be based on the Bible alone. The irony of this that struck me is that in my experience of evangelicalism (grad of Christian high school, Christian college, evangelical churches all my adult life), that “personal” relationship must comform to the script of the group. I mean, one’s interpretation of verses or passages could not differ from Pastor X’s interpretation or the commentary written by Famous Theologian Y. So I have to wonder how personal one is “allowed” to be with God.

    I have more comments but don’t want to spout too much at once. :)

  • http://heart-and-home.net Ashleigh (Heart and Home)

    Being that I totally flaked and forgot to order the book and my Barnes and Noble didn’t have it, I’m going to just listen in for a week or two. It sounds like the first chapter was laying the groundwork for what typical evangelical lifestyles look like? What I appreciate about your summary is that it sounds like the author isn’t saying that all of those things are necessarily BAD, but, hence the title, simply not enough. Of course, I’m just going by your synopsis, so I could be wrong.

    I didn’t connect the dots and realize that Dr. Howard is Elisabeth Elliot’s brother. Huh.

    I do think Hope T’s comment above is interesting and valid… sometimes a “personal” relationship with Christ isn’t at all personal. But we can–and must–find a way out of that kind of group and learn true relationship.

  • http://faithandfood.morizot.net/ Scott Morizot

    My own childhood formation is not easily summarized. I did have some exposure to the sort of Christianity he describes. I also experienced a lot of other Christian traditions. And I practiced and was shaped by spiritualities that were not at all Christian.

    Since the time the process of my spirituality journey did finally reach a point where my identity became associated with the Christian faith, I’ve only been a member of one church (SBC) that pretty much conforms to the description of evangelicalism provided in the first chapter. However, since I came into Christianity with a broad spiritual background coupled with a deep interest in history, especially ancient history, I pretty much recognized the anachronisms, anomalies and gaps almost from the beginning.

    As had always been my practice within any system of belief, I tried on the beliefs and practices offered, of course. But I was looking for something with more depth, substance, and continuity almost from the start.

    I’m not sure the bubble the evangelical subculture in the US has created for itself is entirely healthy (especially as an environment within which to raise children in the modern pluralist world) or sustainable as American culture shifts away from an overall Christian default. But like the author, even though it’s not really a substantial part of my own childhood formation, I don’t have a negative attitude toward evangelicalism. In fact, it’s the only part of Christianity I can really say I’ve lived and experienced from the inside.

  • Sarah O.

    So cool that you put together a video, EE! I’m such an auditory learner, so I especially loved *hearing* your thoughts on the 1st chapter. I’m excited about this book…so many of Howard’s thoughts (and yours) have resonated with me on my upbringing in the evangelical church. First chapt. did seem a little slow-and I must admit sometimes I get a little lost in the theological terminology- but I do appreciate the way he “sets-up” his definition of and experience in the evangelical church.

  • Wendy

    I was glad the author began by clearly defining his terms from his own personal experience. I was laughing sometimes because I could identify so well from my own upbringing. Especially the “hierarcy of callings” with foreign missions at the top (jungle missiones topping them all), then Christian work, then secular work. I’d never thought about that before, and it’s so true!

    The Bible alone, personal relationship, and behavior “in the world but not of the world”–because having Christ in one’s heart should make a difference in every aspect of life–have been and continue to be foundations of my Christian experience. I didn’t even know my church was evangelical! I enjoyed reading the chapter.

  • http://faithandfood.morizot.net/ Scott Morizot

    I also found your thoughts on the “second coming” part interesting. I’m not sure it’s just children who absorb some degree of fear from the emphasis, especially the dispensational “pre-millenial” approach to the topic. As an adult, after reading the Left Behind books and hearing a lot from the dispensational perspective, my wife has acquired a certain degree of dread toward the idea of Christ coming again. It’s not the nightmare sort of fear a child would probably experience, but she finds the idea alarming to a certain degree. And I’ve heard a similar sort of dread expressed by other adults as well. So I do think that perspective tends to have a negative impact on adults as well as children. Anticipation or thought of the “appearing” of the crucified and risen Jesus of Nazareth doesn’t seem to me like it should be something that should properly engender fear. It’s a promise of hope and joy, not a threat.

  • http://www.blessedisthekingdom.com Fr Christian Mathis

    Thanks for coming up with the idea for this Elizabeth!

    I have been reading and enjoying the book very much. While I grew up in a Catholic household, my parents were converts and growing up in an area of the country where most Christians fall in one way or another into the realm of evangelical Christianity, chapter one struck a chord with me.

    It also helps me as a member of the Catholic clergy to see some possibilities for strengthening some of our weaknesses that seem to, in my mind, have come about as a result of a broken and splintered Christianity.

    One thing I share with you is the idea of listening each day to God’s word and seeing it throughout the day. I first began doing so by going to daily mass in high school, listening to the readings, especially the Gospel reading and then looking for where it played itself out during the day. I don’t think it was a coincidence that I always saw the readings put into action when I was willing to pay attention.

    I agree with you that modern Christians seem to have lost the sense of being different from the rest of the world. We seem to want to be just like everyone else or feel that to do so might be judgemental. One area that I continue trying to emphasize with my parish is the idea of the Sabbath. Growing up I remember the tension between my faith and the world. One example was eating no meat on Fridays. It was not always understood by my friends, but it always was an opportunity to talk about the faith with others.

    I would love to get most Catholics to understand singing as important in the liturgy. Many of our older hymns were the place I too learned the gospel, sometimes without even knowing. Of course the liturgy can also do that and did for me.

    My plan is to share more thoughts about the book on my blog as soon as I post this comment here. I hope you might come check them out if you get the chance.

    Thanks again for hosting this discussion!

    Fr C

  • http://ifmeadowsspeak.blogspot.com/ Tammy@If Meadows Speak….

    I’m not reading it (I’m involved with a couple of other readings) but I was greatly encouraged by your video! Agree with so much you said. And how important, you said about setting our lives apart from secular world. Not living seperate as in isolation from others, but as in making different choices for our families. We do this too. Making choices for our kids to not watch, or listen to, or read things just because they’re #1 on NewYork’s Bestseller list or blockbusters. Making choices for us is about ones that effect our relationship with HIM. Because all choices of some sort do effect, positive or negative. That’s why we’re called to be holy, as in seperate, living our lives different. Not lukewarm and not pious like a Pharisee, just for Him different. Humbly. And still loving others like He did.

  • http://www.elizabethesther.com Elizabeth Esther

    I’m glad the video was well-received. I can’t tell you how nervous and vulnerable I felt about recording that! Ack!

    JENN: “Carriers of Reconciliation”–love that! What a great perspective and what a relief, too! Thank you!

    HOPE T: Yes, I understand you. Sometimes there’s a “tyranny of relationship” that can be frustrating to those of us who don’t experience God in the same way as everyone else. Thank you for pointing that out.

    ASHLEIGH: You are totally welcome to follow along and yes, you’re right. Howard appreciated those aspects of his evangelical upbringing and actually, so did I! :)

    SCOTT M: Your background and particular interests will be so helpful to the discussion and I’ve always appreciated reading your insights over at Molly’s blog, too! Thanks for joining in.

    FR. C: I’ve been looking forward to your comments, especially since I’m interested in a priest’s perspective of this book. I will definitely check out your blog post on the subject. Thank you!

    TAMMY: Thank you. I’m glad we found common ground on several areas; it’s always encouraging to me when Christians are able to find a way to appreciate each other. Thank you for sharing.

  • http://faithandfood.morizot.net/ Scott Morizot

    Odd, in a way. If it weren’t for Molly, I doubt I would have ever stumbled across your blog.

  • Deborah L

    I just received my copy from Amazon last evening, so haven’t read the first chapter yet. Looks really interesting, though, and I look forward to the read. Will post some comments in the next segment!

  • http://www.holyclutter.com/2010/01/catholic-in-bible-belt.html Meredith

    Elizabeth, your video is great–next best thing to sitting with you, the book, and a cup of coffee!

    I grew up Catholic in an Evangelical town, so I “got” many of these references. Enough, in fact, to realize how I had unintentionally adopted many of these practices for myself.

  • http://nomoredegrees.blogspot.com Happy Geek

    My internet was down yesterday and I was rather grumpy that I didn’t get to participate. But better late than never.

    I read chapter one smiling and nodding. He pretty much described my childhood church experience. And then a lot of things you said in your video had me nodding too. My children are probably sick to death of all the hymns I sing to them but they are lodged in my memory and sometimes need to get out. All FOUR verses.

    There was not a lot of new information for me in this first chapter, but it reminded me how I blessed I was to be taught the importance of personal study (a practice I still continue) the importance of sharing your faith (something I do with less force, but still pray about and practice).
    One thing I found was my practice of “cleanliness” led me into legalism. I often felt that I was superior to those that did drink or wear gaudy clothes and I began to see my faith as very much a set of rules.

    And as for creeds and traditions, our church didn’t even celebrate advent as it was not “Biblical”.

  • http://sue-livingandlearning.blogspot.com/ Sue

    I am chiming in a bit late here, but I just wanted to say that I will be reading along with you. Actually, I happened to order and read this book a few months ago, so I will just be refreshing my memory as you go along.

    I could identify with a lot of the first chapter. I did not grow up in a fundamentalist church, but in a conservative United Methodist church in the Bible belt. However, my 15 years older brother joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ right out of college (when I was around 8 years old) and served on campuses in the US, and overseas for 21 years. His fervent evangelical faith and beliefs have had a big effect on me, and on my father as well, over the years.

    The effect was not negative overall, but as I grow older and read and study more for myself I realize that I had a tendency to believe whatever and however he did out of my great respect and love for him, rather than seeking out the Truth for myself. Though he was not my pastor, I guess there was a mini cult of personality of sorts.

    There are no Methodist churches where I live (Japan), so we have been attending an Evangelical Free church for the past 13 years. We are now in the process of moving on from there, and excited to see where God takes us. Although the Methodist church is far less liturgical than the Anglican, Orthodox, or Catholic, I have missed the following of the church year (Lent, Advent, etc.) more and more in recent years. I was moved to tears several times while reading Howard’s book… but I get ahead of myself!

    I am looking forward to the next installments very much (and I loved your wonderful video).

    Oh, and I did not realize that Thomas Howard is Elisabeth Elliot’s brother. Very interesting.

  • Amy

    I just came across your blog because I was looking for more information on this book. I’m excited to read it and I am really enjoying your blog.