audiobook The Uneasy Conscience of Modern Fundamentalism by Carl F. H. Henry in History

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. An Older Book with a Message for Evangelicals TodayBy Dr. Robert J. VajkoThough the title of this 1947 book is outdated; the major issues are not. Henry deals with the problem of keeping the major doctrines of what was then called fundamentalism and yet making an impact on the social and even global issues of that time. This reviewer was challenged to read this book to see what the issues were in those days and how they relate to today.First; Henry chides the fundamentalists of his day since they did not “explicitly sketch the social implications of its message for the non-Christian world; it does not challenge the injustices of the totalitarianisms; the secularisms of modern education; the evils of racial hatred; the wrongs of current labor-management relations; the inadequate bases of international dealings” (39). But since Henry’s time; many of these have been challenged by evangelicals in various ways. However; it is still difficult to discern between God and Caesar –the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of men in many of these issues. To articulate the relationships between these would take a longer review than is possible. However; there is a sense in which the children of this generation need to see how to have a conduct that is “in step with the truth of the gospel” (Gal. 2:14) in all these areas. However; what is the church to do?Second; Henry lays a good foundation by explaining that there needs to be; as Calvin felt; “an articulate statement not only of dogmatics but of the social implications of redemption” (39). Various groups and writings have sought to deal with these issues. Someone needs to write a concise book like this on how these issues are to be faced by the evangelical movement—a child of the fundamentalist movement.To sum up; this book is a stimulant to thought in this area and could be seminal in our present context. Where is the Carl Henry taking up the issues as he did?30 of 30 people found the following review helpful. Redeeming Society with the GospelBy William E. Turner Jr.The late Carl Henry sets forth the case that there is a great divorce within Evangelicalism. He argues that evangelical Christianity has become separated from any form of social reform. Christianity has failed to deal with the pressing issues; which face the world today. Doctrine has become divorced from ethics and orthodoxy (right teaching) has become divorced from orthopraxy (right living). While redemption in Christ is the only answer to this world's problems Henry argues that Christianity has ceased its preaching of this message to the culture. Christianity has given up its humanitarianism.Sadly; since the church has given up its social endeavors; non-evangelical efforts have taken over. Therefore the saving message of the cross of Christ is replaced with sub-Christian methods of reform. The effort to save society continues but without a redemptive foundation all such efforts are bound to failure. Without the gospel social reform may feed a few empty stomachs but will fail to provide the living water of Christ; which is the world's only hope.Henry offers a solution by properly understanding kingdom preaching. The kingdom must be preached both as a present reality (kingdom now) and as a future reality (kingdom then). There is an already; not-yet dimension to the kingdom of God and this needs to be applied to kingdom ethics. We must live out the kingdom now with expectant hope of the kingdom then. This dimension of the kingdom needs to be restudied toward the end of being applied to the social and ethical challenges for this present age.It is also the doctrinal integrity of evangelical Christianity; which must confront the world. To give up the gospel for social reform is to cease to be Christian; but to give up social reform is to give up the gospel. Henry argues that it is the very metaphysics of Christianity; which provide the underpinnings for Biblical ethics. The Christian needs to have a biblical worldview to confront the needs and evils of the world. It is only the Christian worldview founded upon the cross of Christ; which provides the proper redemptive framework; which is the only hope for a world in travail.The balance of social concern and gospel preaching is rarely achieved; but Henry offers a helpful way forward by arguing that the very means of social reform is through gospel preaching. Through the proclamation of the redeeming gospel of Jesus Christ the world will be changed. The gospel properly understood seeks to change not just individual sinners; but the world; which groans under its present bondage. He correctly recognizes that the present world problems are not primarily economic; political; or societal; but spiritual. Nonetheless the evangelical Christian is to apply the spiritual-redemptive message of the gospel to the economic; political; and societal woes of today.While one may not fully agree with everything Henry says (I certainly did not); his underlining thesis is true: the gospel must be proclaimed and applied to the present cultural crisis; which our world faces. In applying the gospel of Christ to the world need the evangelical Christian remarries the truth of Christ with the humanitarianism of Christ. This today is most necessary.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Challenging CultureBy Jacob ThomasOld Book but still very relevant to Evangelical Churches in Western Culture today. A Harder read due to the age and complicated wording but a very good read