The Emergence of Evangelical Spirituality (Schwanda, ed.)

Recent decades have witnessed a growing interest in evangelical spirituality. Although several books are available that focus on evangelical spirituality, none thus far has included the rich and varied resources of primary readings of this under-researched spiritual tradition. The Emergence of Evangelical Spirituality offers readers a balanced collection of primary sources for eighteenth-century evangelical spirituality in America and Britain. Beginning with a chapter that introduces readers to the foundational nature and themes of evangelical spirituality, the book goes on to present the writings of men and women authors some very well known, others not well known grouped into six thematic categories. From giants of the movement such as Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield to social reformers William Wilberforce and Hannah More and such hymn writers as William Cowper, The Emergence of Evangelical Spirituality presents an invaluable and unequalled treasury of authors representing a rich heritage of American and British spirituality for students and general readers alike.

Author

Tom Schwanda is associate professor of Christian Formation and Ministry at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, and an ordained minister of the Reformed Church in America. The author of several works on Puritan and early Evangelical spirituality, Dr. Schwanda holds a PhD in historical theology from Durham University in England.

Endorsements

Until recently there has been a relatively small standard corpus of evangelical texts available for those interested in the Christian tradition of evangelicalism, and the depth and richness of evangelical writing has been largely unknown. This new reader in the classic age of evangelical witness, the eighteenth century, is therefore very welcome indeed. With a wide range of texts and incisive introductions, Tom Schwanda has provided a tremendous resource for both new students of this movement and established scholars. Ideal for classroom usage as a textbook, it could also be profitably used as a personal devotional. Highly recommended! --Michael A. G. Haykin, professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

This compelling collection of evangelical writings showcases an intensely personal piety inspired by a vision of God's grace shown to humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. These selections show the lyrical beauty of many evangelical contributions and the pervasive influence of scriptural images, themes, and phrases. This volume is an exceptionally instructive resource for evangelical Christians eager to understand their heritage, and for others who seek to understand evangelical Christianity empathetically. --John D. Witvliet, Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary

In displaying the richness, variety, and deep texture of the evangelical movement's beginnings, The Emergence of Evangelical Spirituality is as interesting and delightful as the age it examines. The volume's selection of primary texts, both major and minor, along with Schwanda's insightful organization and contextualization of the writers and their works, is a gift to church history and evangelical scholarship. --Karen Swallow Prior, Liberty University, author of Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More: Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist