Dr. Molly Worthen joins Matt and Derek to talk all things evangelicalism, not the least of which is her book, Apostles of Reason: The Crisis of Authority in American Evangelicalism. As someone outside of the camp of evangelicalism, Dr. Worthen helps bring a new look at the many paradoxes in the evangelical movement.
Timestamps:
Intro + what was it that made Dr. Worthen want to study evangelicalism? [0:00 - 7:10]
Dr. Worthen’s case that one has to study all of church history in order to understand evangelicalism [7:10 - 10:43]
What is the crisis of authority in evangelicalism? 1) How do you develop an authentic relationship with God, 2) How do you mend the rift between faith and reason, 3) How do you act publicly on your faith in an increasingly secularized public square? [10:43 - 19:09]
What of sola scriptura? [19:09 - 24:49]
The crises of authority in evangelicalism juxtaposed with more ecclesiastical traditions [24:49 - 33:15]
Issues of inerrancy in evangelicalism and its difference to sola scriptura + how many are retrieving Natural Law and catholicity [33:15 - 42:44]
Does the crises of authority in evangelicalism explain why Trump happened? + Conclusion [42:44 - 55:58]
Resources mentioned:
Are You Alone Wise?: The Search For Certainty In The Early Modern Era (Oxford Studies In Historical Theology) by Susan E. Schreiner
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Finally, as always, follow Derek, Andrew, and Alastair for more tweet-sized brilliance. Thanks to Timothy Motte for his sound editing work. And thanks to The Joy Eternal for lending us their music, which everybody should download out of gratitude for their kindness.