The American Evangelical Story: A History of the Movement

If you want to understand the current American Evangelical landscape we find ourselves in, Sweeney masterfully highlights the most essential events, peoples and ideologies. He does it in a very interesting and readable way that keeps the story flowing with enough info not to be over simplistic but not too much to lose the big picture. He adds helpful excerpts from primary documents that are never too long but always in a way that contributes to the story. Finally, in my amateur understanding of different people and camps, he seems to respectfully represent people without hagiography nor misrepresentation.I really wish I read his a long time ago. It helped many things click in my head, as a result I feel more able to serve and love the Church.I highly commend it to lovers of history and those who avoid it, it's that good and that important!

Sweeney presents here a very accessible survey on American Evangelicalism. I read the book in a day, so it is not overly scholarly. A few points...1. Sweeney's definition is certainly unique. A movement based in orthodox Christianity, with a Protestant view of the Gospel, with an 18th century twist. It is clear or see how he comes to this when you read his conclusion. He sees very little uniting "evangelicals" and has a sort of morbid hope for its future. He maintains that there is no room for confessionalism in evangelicalism.2. I greatly enjoyed his recounting of the history of the movement shaping the church, culture, missions, and so much more in America. This is why I say it is certainly a survey. It briefly describes the key contributors and events in the movement, but does not delve deeply into them. It makes me want to learn more...3. This brings me to one of the great strengths of the book. Every chapter ends with a reading list. Very useful.4. He does very little except in the 7th chapter to address evangelical core issues such as biblical inerrancy and the like. I was hoping for more thought on this.As a fundamental, Calvinist, Baptist (self defined), I can see where I clearly line up with the evangelical movement. This book helps me to see the beginning and root of many things that I believe. As I was hoping for slightly more theological discourse, I was slightly disappointed. But Sweeney is candid about the movement's triumphs and shortcomings. It is worth the read if you are evangelical or are curious as to its roots and contributions to American church and society.

This book was everything I'd wanted in an account of American evangelicalism. Comprehensive, yet concise. Opinionated, yet balanced. Critical, yet gracious. This was a captivating read, giving time and space to the theological intricacies underlying historical developments without ever getting off-track of the historical narrative. I especially enjoyed Sweeney's commitment to develop some of the less-acknowledged facets and corners of evangelicalism (namely the roles of women, minorities, and the Pentecostal-Charismatic movement).My only gripe with the book was that it didn't cover some of my personal interest areas (which were understandably outside Sweeney's scope, but could easily have been included), particularly the interaction and role of Canadian evangelicalism alongside American evangelicalism, as well as more recent developments in the evangelical landscape (the book does not venture much beyond Billy Graham, except to mention developments like the founding of the Vineyard movement).

Reading this book is like cutting butter (its smooth). It is the perfect place for anyone seeking to understand the history of evangelicals in America (I really wish this had been assigned in seminary). Also the author knows the material well enough to add bits of humor in the writing that add to the overall enjoyment of reading a history book. Well worth the time and the money.

Sweeney presents a quick look at the history of evangelicalism in America. He focuses on contemporary issues including gender and race within the continuum of historical evangelicalism in America.He allows for a broad sweep of theology, including Pentecostalism, charismatic and historically black churches under the umbrella of evangelicalism.The book is suitable for an academic context but written in language accessible to anyone interested.

I read this book for a writing assignment I had for a g Church history graduate class, and I was thankful to have the opportunity to have read it. Sweeney is incredibly knowledgeable in this subject area, and his book is full with such wonderful information, but it is incredibly easy to read. Very casual, which I always feel as though it makes it all the easier to read and ingest. I'm very glad to have this book now and I know I will turn to it again in the future.

I am enjoying this book

Great book! It goes through the entire history of Evangelicalism in America and helped me understand the history of the movement much better. You will see a ton of names and stories through here that will inspire you and help to understand the mentality and passion of the American church founders. Used this book for a college class, it was easy to read and very informative.