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by Paul O. Bischoff (Author)
Evangelicalism died peacefully surrounded by its family of affiliations, coalitions, publishers, and organizations. No churches were at its bedside. It received flowers from the Spirituality Center of America for its contribution to free expression located in the "born again" experience. The bulletin read "A Celebration of Evangelicalism's Life and a Witness to Cultural Spirituality." The few pastors who wanted the word "resurrection" in the bulletin were voted down lest seekers be offended by biblical doctrine. Gnostics for America lauded evangelicalism for its theological view of the inner divine spark located in all humanity. The media reported that the funeral appeared more like a conservative political rally. A nationally-recognized pastor of a megachurch was to be the keynote speaker, but he was embroiled in a sex scandal. The president of the Enneagram Esoteric Society was chosen instead. Her topic was "Enhancing the Fruit of the Spirit by Knowing Your Number." Different speakers eulogized the deceased. A representative of the therapeutic community praised the movement for how it left parishioners with emotional uplift after feel-good sermons based upon devotional writings. The ceremony was held in a theater with excellent projection and sound equipment, though there was a two-minute pause in the singing when the projection screen put up the words of a hymn rather than a praise song. This book concludes in the same way evangelicalism's funeral did--by pronouncing benediction at this movement's graveside. For as soon as that occurs, authentic Christianity characterized by a biblical gospel and return to the church may be able to usher in the kingdom of God going into the twenty-first century.
Author Biography
Paul O. Bischoff is a theologian and Bonhoeffer scholar with study at the University of Chicago Divinity School and Oxford University, with a doctorate from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He has taught at Wheaton College, North Park Theological Seminary and given international seminars in Ghana, Germany, and Ecuador. His books are The Human Church and Mary Gave God a Body. He is Jayne's husband and his family includes four adult children and nine grandchildren.
