It has become popular, especially since the 2016 presidential election, for evangelicals to publicly eschew the label evangelical. Richard Mouw, who has taught at Fuller Seminary since 1985, and served as president of the seminary from 1993 to 2013, acknowledges that those who distance themselves from the evangelical label have reason for concern. But, as he writes in Restless Faith: Holding Evangelical Beliefs in a World of Contested Labels, he's not willing to give up the label: "For myself, I can't think of a label that suits me better than 'evangelical.'"



Mouw wants the evangelical tradition, a tradition he loves and that he nurtured him, to be preserved, and calls on "intellectual leaders who have been talking about simply resigning from the evangelical movement" to lend their aid to its preservation. In Restless Faith, Mouw addresses some of the criticisms while affirming the strengths of the movement.



Mouw himself was active in the evangelical social movement in earlier decades, and rejects much of what the religious right, as it arose in the 1980s, stands for. He makes it clear that one needn't embrace the religious right if one is to be an evangelical. At the same time, Mouw's theological statements herein should disabuse anyone's suspicions that he is a universalistic theological liberal. He absolutely affirms, for example, the need for individual faith in Christ for salvation, but goes on to say that "individual salvation is not enough."



Mouw's work is encouraging and challenging. He has, in his academic life and public service, exemplified an evangelicalism that holds firm to faith while living with, speaking with, and cooperating with culture and society at large. The bottom line, as I read him, is that evangelicals should not permit people and cultural forces outside of evangelicalism to define what is meant by the term. The burden, then, is for evangelicals to model and preserve its meaning.





Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!

Mouw is no stranger to writing great little books. These include:

Kuyper: A Short and Personal Introduction
Calvinism in the Las Vegas Airport
When the Kings Come Marching In
Political Evangelism

Restless Faith is a very welcome addition to these other great little books. Mouw is a philosopher, an academic, a former president of a prestigious evangelical seminary - it is this that has kept him grounded and in touch with the younger more radical evangelicalism.

Here Mouw examines a series of fascinating topics all exploring evangelical identity. He begins by reexamining the label evangelical. Unlike others, he reluctantly affirms the use of the label - despite the recent politicisation of the term.

What does it mean to be an evangelical in a world of drones and clones? This is the issue that Mouw examines. Unlike Russ Douat he doesn't see a split between the elite (the evangelical academics) and the pew.

He sees a restlessness in many younger people's evangelicalism - this he sees as a good thing. Particularly, as Mouw's background was one where thinking was not encouraged and there was a climate of anti-intellectualism, where the refrain you don't need exegesis you need Jesus was heard.

Mouw draws upon his own experiences to provide wisdom and insight into new issues and problems that face contemporary evangelicals. He shares insights he received from Carl Henry, Edward Carnell, Billy Graham.

Through it all Mouw still holds to the age-old fundamentalist adage: if the Bible says it, I believe it. But he does so in a post-critical rather than a naive form. Mouw may have a child-like faith but it is certainly not childish.

Mouw is never pompous, pontificating or patronising. He listens, affirms, critiques and then enriches others' views. This is seen particularly in his examination and discussion of Robert Schuller, the Mormons, Rob Bell and several others in the fringes of evangelicalism. His use of xxx's notion of bounded and unbounded sets is helpful.

The book bleeds insight. Mouw helps us see the grey in the black and whiteness of evangelicalism. It provides a good justification for the continued use of the evangelical label.

What an insightful read! Richard Mouw's incredible wisdom and experience speaks loudly in this book. While being an evangelical Christian is challenging in today's world - and many of us feel disillusioned with the label - Mouw offers encouragement, honesty and a challenge. Mouw says - "I hope that many of us can stay restless as we hold on while exploring together whether the best way to remain faithful to the legacy is to let go of the label." His book helps to start that exploration and serves as a guide of sorts from someone who has been in this for decades and cares deeply about Christ, the Kingdom.and His church.

People generally don't like to be labeled but the practice of labeling continues to be practiced in society. Scholars especially would often qualify their definitions of any particular label. On the word "Christian," one might ask what kind of Christian. On the label "Protestant," one might wonder which branch or denomination one is talking about. On the label "evangelical," some might shrug their shoulders or avoid talking about it due to its association with politics on America. Things are no longer taken at face value or treated simplistically. Maybe society has become more sophisticated. Maybe there are more awareness of the increasing diversity of views and opinions. For author and theologian Richard Mouw, the fear of labels should not be allowed to prevent us from using them legitimately. The word in question is "evangelical." Just because of a few bad eggs should not deter us from appropriate use of it. It is true that some from the political right have been giving the label a bad name, the same applies to many other labels open to stereotyping. He uses Alister McGrath's words as support, that "we evangelicals do often operate with an 'under-developed ecclesiology' - but we are willing to live with that defect because of what we have experienced at the hands of 'others who have over-developed ecclesiologies.'" That's a valid point. He also notes the famous historian, David Bebbington's definition of evangelical by saying that his four points were 'emphases' instead of absolute dogmas. A restless faith seeks to hold together two things: Top-notch scholarship (mindfulness) and down-to-earth connections (relational). It is honouring the Bible; walking in the presence of the Holy Spirit; and an awareness of the saints who had walked faithfully in the past.


Mouw takes us through his personal theological journey, sharing with us his thoughts about Bible inerrancy; Orthodoxy; the "second naivete"; fundamentalism; Bible interpretation and Affirmations; and about the secular cultural climate that finds it hard to understand the modern symbols of evangelicalism. He shares a stark discovery of how in a class of forty students in an evangelical college, only six of them know who Billy Graham was. For that, he believes that we need to learn from the past. For all our new advancements or modern progress, we would be impoverished if we fail to learn from history and the lessons from the past. Thankfully, Mouw deals with the painful past in a compassionate way. Knowing that there has been excesses and horrific practices committed by the Church in history, he takes a measured approach. On the one hand, he acknowledges the wrongs done through institutional religion. On the other hand, he realizes that there is an evangelical "position of privilege" that balances confession with compassion; and conviction with obligation. He also talks about the unique position of being a "Christian scholar" in a largely secular culture. He tells of how even the critique of self-actualization in a mental health society could make people misunderstand the theology of sin. In times like this, we are tempted to dilute our theology with compromise. He looks at judgment theology that brings together the consequences of judgment because of sin and the offer of mercy because of love. What really touches people is the gentle and compassionate manner that such a theology is communicated. Mouw goes on to critique some of the other modern movements such as the "positive thinking," the "possibility thinking," the therapeutic culture; the health and wealth gospel; contextualization; and so on. He makes a powerful point about missionaries (and believers) needing to exegete two worlds: The Biblical world and our culture.

The chapter "About Quoting Hymns" is particularly captivating. In tackling the hymns vs contemporary songs divide, Mouw notes that the difference is essentially generational. He suggests inviting members from both generations to interact. He makes a case for singing more hymns by reminding us once again not to lose sight of the theological tradition and rich theologies we can learn from old hymns. Hymns often are powerful resources to reinforce the main Sunday message. Other virtues include biblical wisdom, poetic beauty, and avoiding sentimentalism that sounds good on the outside but empty on the inside. He is also quick to point out that there are some contemporary songs that are theological sound and worthy.

My Thoughts
First, I find Mouw very fair in making a moderate evangelical stand. He writes passionately and believes in the virtues of historical evangelicalism. He refuses to let the word be hijacked by politicizing individuals. From the word 'activism,' we note that restlessness is still part of the evangelical fabric. This does not mean radicalism or extremism. I like the way that Mouw is able to bring back the merits of tradition and the historical symbols of evangelicalism without dumbing down the cultural reactions against evangelicalism. He is able to connect these tensions in a sensible and sensitive manner. The same sensitivity was done to the approaches taken toward Rob Bell's controversial book "Love Wins." How he manages to deal with critics from both sides is a lesson we can learn from.

Second, Mouw is very open and honest about his own struggles and doubts. He avoids becoming dogmatic about his views. He even shares about his troubles dealing with theological quagmires such as the episode in Romans 11 where Paul talks about the profound mystery of God and the grafting in of Gentiles into the Jewish family tree. He even turns this struggle into a helpful way to tackle theological matters. He invites one to dialogue and is not afraid to live with tensions of unresolved questions. This is crucial with regard to Christian Theology. For instance, we may know a lot about the Holy Trinity but we cannot be so dogmatic as to declare that our view of the Trinity is the way the truth and the life. Only Jesus can say that. We can only affirm what we know for know and to be open for new revelations that may come in the future. That puts Mouw in good stead to dialogue with others such as the Mormons and interfaith conversations. That is a mark of a humble teacher.

Finally, I am most glad to see Mouw's very civil approach in tackling difficult and controversial issues. This is one of the key virtues that evangelicals need most today. While we cannot do much to stop the negative images of Christianity, especially evangelicals in the culture, we can offer up alternative points of view to help others understand that evangelicalism is larger than what the culture paints it to be. This is essentially an act of faith, that trusts God to clarify when there is a need to clarify, and to listen when it's time to listen. One of the problems of modern evangelicalism is the tendency to be too quick to speak and slow to listen. His chapter on "Public Activism" seeks to chart a new path to help us heal from the excesses of cultural and political evangelicalism. Through engagement, we maintain a presence to be ready for any opportunity to clarify views. Thorough a biblical view of authority, we hope to redeem the state of government to be constructive and inclusive.

All of these hopes and dreams form the basis of a restless faith. I concur.

Richard Mouw is President Emeritus and Professor of Faith and Public Life at Fuller Theological Seminary. He has served as President of the same institution from 1993 to 2013.

Rating: 4.75 stars of 5.

conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Brazos Press and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

Restless Faith
Holding Evangelical Beliefs in a World of Contested Labels
by Richard J. Mouw
Baker Academic & Brazos Press
Brazos Press
Christian
Pub Date 19 Feb 2019


I am reviewing a copy of Restless Faith through Brazos Press and Netgalley:



Richard Mouw tells the readers of this book what it meant for him to spend the past five decades as a restless evangelical as a way of maintaining his identity at a time when the term Evangelical has become so politicized that many believe the term is no longer viable.



In this book Richard Mouw ope and candidly reflects on wrestling with traditional evangelical beliefs over the years and shows that altho he has changed his mind in some areas he has not changed his core beliefs. He reminds us that we should hold on to the legacy that has enriched evangelicalism in the past.


Mouw tells us that the Christian Life In it’s healthiest form is always a matter of holding on to essentials while constantly moving along paths that we can walk in faithfulness only by seeking God’s Guidance.


I give Restless Faith five out of five star!


Happy Reading!

One of the most influential evangelical voices in America chronicles what it has meant for him to spend the past half century as a "restless evangelical"--a way of maintaining his identity in an age when many claim the label "evangelical" has become so politicized that it is no longer viable. Richard Mouw candidly reflects on wrestling with traditional evangelical beliefs over the years and shows that although his mind has changed in some ways, his core beliefs have not. He contends that we should hold on to the legacy that has enriched evangelicalism in the past. The Christian life in its healthiest form, says Mouw, is always a matter of holding on to essentials while constantly moving on along paths that we can walk in faithfulness only by seeking the continuing guidance of the light of God's Word. As Mouw affirms the essentials of the evangelical faith, he helps a new generation see the wisdom embodied in them.

Mouw has created an impacting voice through the discussion of evangelism and the Church. I am really interested in this topic, despite some of the controversy surrounding that word. He makes excellent points in the examination of evangelism.

This book is definitely not for all readers. Some points were a bit difficult to digest, not as difficult as Timothy Keller’s points, but rather a few notches below.

The concept was strong and the overall voice in the book was definite. I would have liked a bit more “realism” in the sense to make the book more approachable for a larger audience. This book can really be geared and marketed toward those who currently work in churches or those who are currently in seminary schools across the country.

I’d recommend the book if you’re interested in this particular topic, if you fall into the audience of a Christian Church employee, or are in seminary. However, this book needs to have some clarity for those who are less educated in the Christian world.