Evangelicals...out of the box

James K.A. Smith is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Adjunct Professor of Congregational and Ministry Studies at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also serves as Executive Director of the Society of Christian Philosophers.

In a podcast from a few years ago in an interview with Krista Tippett at NPR's Speaking of Faith, he talks about "Evangelicals Out of the Box." An absolutely fascinating, and encouraging podcast. In this climate of extreme polarities, of conservative and liberal, where the Christian faith seems to be clenched in the fists of religious, and political fundamentalism. James talks with a humility of an evangelism of hope, of a way forward that loosens the grip of Christianity from these extremes. I wonder what it would be like now, if we could visit with James, and re-visit, if evangelicals have in fact moved out of the box? My sense is, maybe, if we have, we haven't wandered far, outside with anxiety, hanging on to its edge. Do yourself a favor, and have a listen, and come back...I'd love to here your comments. Below I've included some sound bytes from the interview.

An Intellectual and Spiritual Faith ( @ 9min.38sec )

Jamie Smith describes his discovery of the intellectual rigor of the Christian Reformed tradition, and how he has found this to be holistic, especially as practiced together with Pentecostal spirituality. Christian Reformed theology provides deep resources for "thinking about the hard things," he says, and this draws many Evangelicals. In Charismatic tradition, he values a "radical openness" to mystery and surprise.

Radical Orthodoxy ( @ 3min.18 sec )

Jamie Smith describes "radical orthodoxy" in more detail, including how this sensibility is helping him think about the core question of his identity in the contemporary situation. Specifically: what does it mean to be an Evangelical after 9/11 in the United States in the second Bush Administration?

The Fundamentalism of the Left ( @ 5min.50 sec )

Jamie Smith's observations on "fundamentalist Leftists" as well as an evolving "progressive Third Way" within the Evangelical and larger Christian world.

The Post Secular World ( @ 6min.23 sec )

Smith defines the post-modern observation that the idea of a neutral public sphere, governed by reason alone, is no longer tenable. The public sphere now is pluralist, governed by a broad range of commitments and agendas both religious and secular.

You can listen to the whole podcast ( HERE ) at America Public Media's, Speaking of Faith with host Krista Tippett.

Or try the

Download 1-04 Evangelicals Out of the Box

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