The Evangelicals You Don't Know: Introducing the Next Generation of Christians

Religion journalist Krattenmaker (USA Today, Onward Christian Athletes) sheds fact-filled light on
Evangelical Christians who are more inclined toward socially informed acts and open discussion. While the subtitle suggests this is a generational difference, Krattenmaker notes that this is more about ways of expressing conviction, not necessarily age. Drawing examples from many sources, he discusses Compassion Connect, based in Portland, Oregon; the annual Q conference’s attention to service-oriented witnessing over political sparring; and a wonderfully ironic and powerful confessional program developed by Evangelical students at ultraliberal Reed College. Krattenmaker is not an Evangelical Christian himself; instead he is a fair-minded, inquisitive interviewer and reporter, substantiating his findings in detail but also bringing alive the interviewees and the work they are accomplishing with their new methodology of exercising their religious beliefs.

For years, atheists have been countering the claims of prominent evangelical Christians, with their anti-gay, anti-women, and anti-science beliefs. What Tom Krattenmaker shows us in this book is that a new wave of Christians, while still believing in God, may hold views closer to atheists than their older evangelical counterparts. They are growing in influence and we're all better off because of it.

It's this new generation of Christians -- dedicated to social justice issues -- whose beliefs stand a chance of surviving in a post-religious America. If Christianity has ever let you down, this book will lift you up. While atheists pride themselves on winning minds, the Religious Left is doing an incredible job of winning hearts. Tom Krattenmaker shows us how they're doing it and offers a preview of what's to come.

The wonderfully informative notes section adds nuance and perspective to Krattenmaker’s statements and will aid in understanding his perspectives. His willingness to see things with new eyes is an admirable lesson for people on every part of the political, social, and religious strata. . . The Evangelicals You Don’t Know aims for an audience of progressive non-evangelicals. Some Christians may feel on their guard as they begin, but the author’s honesty, humility, and research will put them at ease. Readers of all faiths and backgrounds will see religion, in general, and evangelical Christianity, specifically, in a broader, more positive light through Krattenmaker’s research, experience, and insight.

Krattenmaker writes about religion in public life and is a columnist for USA Today. He is a sympathetic outside observer of the "new evangelicals" who reject the divisive rhetoric and political alliance between conservative Christians and right-wing Republicans. Rather than focusing on "wedge" issues such as abortion and gay rights, as did Jerry Falwell and James Dobson, a new generation is promoting a variety of social good works and linking cooperatively with nonevangelicals. As examples of those he wants secular progressives to know, Krattenmaker highlights Kevin Palau's service projects in Portland, Gabe Lyons's annual conference of leaders attempting to engage the culture, and Jim Daly's altered tone at Focus on the Family. Some new evangelicals have embraced environmentalism as "creation care," while others have questioned a one-sided American support of Israel that neglects Palestinians. The new generation is much more open to gay rights. One indication was the appearance and reception of gay alumni at the 2011 Homecoming of evangelical Wheaton College. Krattenmaker suggests that even the stalemate between pro-choice and pro-life may be circumvented by providing cooperative assistance to women and families, thus reducing the number of abortions. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers.

Tom Krattenmaker’s excellent book demonstrates that evangelicals once again, always exquisitely attuned to the idiom of the culture, are finding new ways to live out their faith in a pluralistic society. The very good news in these pages is that this rising generation of “new evangelicals” is eager to consign the follies and the fallacies of the Religious Right to the dustbin of irrelevance.

The Evangelicals You Don’t Know is a thoughtful and informative book. Tom Krattenmaker expertly and entertainingly charts a development that although small and inchoate, at present, may conceivably come to change the texture of American religion and polity as we know it a decade or so from now.

Tom Krattenmaker is one of the liberals we evangelicals need to know. In The Evangelicals You Don’t Know, one of America’s leading journalists on religion presents a fair-minded, critical assessment of evangelicalism from his liberal vantage point. Krattenmaker complexifies the situation in which we find ourselves in America today. Drawing attention to a groundswell of compassion and civic virtue within evangelical Christianity that does not fit the negative stereotypes of much of secular America, Krattenmaker powerfully argues that the battle is not between evangelicals and non-evangelicals, including secularists. As he sees it, the culture war dividing line is between religious and secular totalitarians on the one hand and those from across the religious and cultural spectrum that are coming together in support of the common good. Journalism of this caliber and scope is vitally important if we are to move beyond the partisan politics and religious fervor that so divides our society in the pursuit of a more humane America. A must read for all concerned—everybody.

These aren’t your (grand)father’s Evangelicals, says Tom Krattenmaker in this cultural study of Evangelical Christians in America. Combining storytelling with interviews and plenty of hard data, the Portland journalist offers a new vision of Evangelicals—ecofriendly, city-serving sorts with beards and tattoos—that doesn’t square with perceptions of the Evangelical Religious Right.

Traditional ‘evangelicals’ are aging quickly and fading fast in this country. But, in the decline of this once so powerful force, Tom Krattenmaker finds signs of hope for Christianity and the country. In the margins and often out of the lime light, ‘new’ evangelicals are stepping in and reimagining their faith for a new world and younger generation. Tom has his fingers on the pulse of the struggles in American Christianity, and this book is must-read for anyone hoping to understand religion in America today.

A frequent USA Today contributor, Krattenmaker (Onward Christian Athletes) combines reporting and opinion in this analysis of new evangelical leaders and their efforts to engage the culture in a noncombative way. Krattenmaker, who is not an evangelical and describes himself as a secular progressive, says he is keenly interested in evangelicals who “defy the stereotype.” He is convinced that people such as Kevin Palau, Gabe Lyons, Jonathan Merritt, and even Focus on the Family’s new leader, Jim Daly, are moving away from confrontation on such issues as abortion and gay rights. He also suggests evangelicals may be distancing themselves from their unblinking support of capitalism and the Republican Party. And they are also doing good works, whether fighting sex-trafficking or adopting orphans. Krattenmaker calls this “goodwill-mongering” evangelism and salutes these efforts. He convincingly argues that liberals, and especially atheists, should drop their reflexive antipathy toward evangelicals and begin to engage them. The two camps may not agree, but the nation may be better served by a more understanding and respectful posture. While many of the evangelicals he writes about have written their own books, this volume may be more persuasive to left-leaning, secular readers.

Traditional ‘evangelicals’ are aging quickly and fading fast in this country. But, in the decline of this once so powerful force, Tom Krattenmaker finds signs of hope for Christianity and the country. In the margins and often out of the lime light, ‘new’ evangelicals are stepping in and reimagining their faith for a new world and younger generation. Tom has his fingers on the pulse of the struggles in American Christianity, and this book is must-read for anyone hoping to understand religion in America today.

Krattenmaker, one of America’s leading journalists on religion, presents a fair-minded, critical assessment of evangelicalism from his liberal vantage point. Krattenmaker complexifies the situation in which we find ourselves in America today. Drawing attention to a groundswell of compassion and civic virtue within evangelical Christianity that does not fit the negative stereotypes of much of secular America, Krattenmaker powerfully argues that the battle is not between evangelicals and non-evangelicals, including secularists

Journalism of this caliber and scope is vitally important if we are to move beyond the partisan politics and religious fervor that so divides our society in the pursuit of a more humane America. A must read for all concerned—everybody.

Mention evangelical Christians—indeed, Christianity itself—and many Americans think of right-wing political conservatism often expressed in its most judgmental forms—opposition to abortion, gay marriage, and a disbeliever in evolution—while promoting school prayer and Christmas crèches on the courthouse lawn. Surprisingly, argues Krattenmaker (contributing columnist, religion, USA Today; Onward Christian Athletes), young evangelicals share this criticism of their faith communities and are increasingly transforming evangelicalism from within. Outmoded conceptions of evangelism, hateful attitudes toward gays and lesbians, scorn heaped on those of other faiths or on those who have none, anti-intellectual rejection of science and evolution: such attitudes are being weighed and found wanting by the “next Christian” leaders Krattenmaker encounters. These young evangelicals, says the author, are altering for the better not only evangelicalism’s self-presentation but also its self-understanding and commitments. Krattenmaker offers little explanation of the dynamics behind these changes other than to suggest that a younger generation is weary of the “culture wars” of the faith and wary of a dogmatism that thinks it has nothing to learn from nonbelievers. VERDICTKrattenmaker’s engaging journalistic survey of kinder, gentler, younger evangelicals working toward cooperation rather than confrontation will hearten secularists and progressive religionists, as well as evangelicals who have long been uncomfortable with the political captivity of their faith.

Kratenmaker introduces us to a generation of evangelical leaders who are politically either neutral or liberal and are heeding Jesus' call to assist the poor and protect the children and widows; and to reintroduce civil discourse into the lexicon of theologically conservative Christians. This book will certainly bend the perception of any reader that automatically equates Christians and the Religious Right.

Krattenmaker engagingly narrates some noteworthy changes in American religion for a broader audience.