Oct
07
2009
Duane Litfin: Future of American Evangelicalism
SPEAKER: Duane Litfin, President of Wheaton College
TITLE: The Future of American Evangelicalism (Audio here)
THE GIST: Duane Litfin offered a “Wheaton-eye” view of the current state of denominationalism, the recent developments in evangelicalism, and then offered three observations relevant to Southern Baptists. Baptists should see ourselves and participate as evangelicals without relying too much upon the evangelical movement. We must stay gospel-centered, Christ-centered, and Word-centered.
BRIEF OUTLINE:
Recent Developments in Younger Generations that Affect Denominationalism
- Retreat from hierarchy
- Internet
- Lack of denominational loyalty
- Local church has become dispensable
Some Thoughts on Evangelicalism
- The geographical diaspora of evangelicalism is a useful metaphor for the movement itself.
- In the past thirty years, evangelicalism has sprawled to the point that it can no longer be easily defined.
- Evangelicals have no way of truly policing themselves.
- The issues that evangelicals are dealing with are more complex than they were during evangelicalism’s heyday. (Example: speaking of truth and error regarding the Bible now includes discussion of the nature of truth)
- Evangelicals often lack moral credibility when speaking to cultural issues.
What do these developments mean for the SBC?
- Baptist polity is well-positioned to survive the decline of denominationalism. (We can preserve the benefits of denominational structure without the negatives.)
- The SBC may be forced to become less insular. Already, the SBC has joined the broader evangelical world. You should view this development as an opportunity, not a threat.
- Don’t depend upon evangelicalism as a movement. Movements come and go; Christ remains forever.
MEMORABLE QUOTES:
Evangelicalism broke free from the ghetto of fundamentalism, remaining mostly fundamentalist in theology, while demonstrating openness to intellectual and cultural engagement.
Harold Lindsell’s book, The Battle of the Bible, was less a battle for the Bible and more a battle for the term “evangelical.”
The SBC was right to stand up and police itself, saying, “This is who we are, and this is not who we are.”
Our moralism and self-righteousness gives our opponents their ammunition.
As an outsider, I say to you Southern Baptists: participate everywhere you can with whoever you can, without compromising the truth.
Stay gospel-centered, Christ-centered, and Word-centered.