Recovering Classic Evangelicalism: Applying the Wisdom and Vision of Carl F. H. Henry

by Greg Thornbury

Publisher:

Crossway

, 2013

Overview

Once upon a time, evangelicalism was a counter-cultural upstart movement. Positioned in between mainline denominational liberalism and reactionary fundamentalism, evangelicals saw themselves as evangelists to all of culture. Billy Graham was reaching the masses with his Crusades, Francis Schaeffer was reaching artists and university students at L’Abri, Larry Norman was recording Jesus music on secular record labels and touring with Janis Joplin and the Doors, and Carl F. H. Henry was reaching the intellectuals through Christianity Today. It was the dawn of “classic evangelicalism.” Surveying the current evangelical landscape, however, one gets the feeling that we’re backpedaling quickly. We are more theologically diffuse, culturally gun-shy, and fragmented than ever before. What has happened? And how do we find our way back? Using the life and work of Carl F. H. Henry as a key to evangelicalism’s past and a cipher for its future, this book provides crucial insights for a renewed vision of the church’s place in modern society and charts a refreshing course toward unity under the banner of “classic evangelicalism.”

Key Features

• Explores the life and influence of Carl F.H. Henry
• Provides insight into the classic evangelicalism of previous decades
• Presents a vision for evangelicals to reclaim their place in modern society

Contents

• The Lost World of Classic Evangelicalism
• Epistemology Matters
• Theology Matters
• Inerrancy Matters
• Culture Matters
• Evangelicalism Matters

Praise for the Print Edition

The enduring influence of what Greg Thornbury wisely calls ‘classic evangelicalism’ is critical for the health and vitality of Christianity in America. He wisely looks to the greatest intellectual figure of twentieth century evangelicalism, Carl Henry, as a mentor and guide. At the same time, this is a radically current book, directed at the most crucial issues facing the evangelical movement today. This is an important work by a leading evangelical scholar. We can only hope that this book becomes widely influential.

—R. Albert Mohler Jr., President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

The witness of Carl Henry and classic evangelicalism to absolute truth and objective knowledge; the critical importance of theology in life and ministry; the total truthfulness of Scripture and biblical inerrancy; a churchly, faithful, and Christian engagement with culture; and a vision of what evangelicalism could and should be, are all things that we need to hear, or hear again, today. The content of every chapter of this book instructed, challenged, and encouraged me personally, and prompted me to want the evangelicals of this generation to read and heed the lessons of the story that Greg Thornbury tells so well.

—J. Ligon Duncan III, Chancellor, CEO, and John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary

This is the best book on Carl F. H. Henry published to date. Greg Thornbury shows why Henry is too important to be forgotten. Closely argued and well researched, this book can lead the way to a Henrician revival—one that can strengthen the fibers of faith within the evangelical soul.

—Timothy George, Founding Dean, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University; General Editor, Reformation Commentary on Scripture

Product Details

• Title: Recovering Classic Evangelicalism: Applying the Wisdom and Vision of Carl F. H. Henry
• Author: Gregory Thornbury
• Publisher: Crossway
• Publication Date: 2013
• Pages: 224
• Resource Type: Topical
• Topic: Christianity and Culture

About Greg Thornbury

Adjunct Professors, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Sample Pages from Recovering Classic Evangelicalism: Applying the Wisdom and Vision of Carl F. H. Henry