Renewing the Center

Where has evangelicalism been, and where is it going? As we enter a new century and a new millennium, it is appropriate for evangelical Christians to take stock of their faith and its relationship to the world around them. In Renewing the Center, Stanley Grenz challenges the thoughtful to do just that and provides them with an insightful guide.

According to Grenz, "The postmodern condition calls Christians to move beyond a polarity that knows only the categories of 'liberal' and 'conservative' and thus pits so-called conservatives against loosely-defined liberals. The way forward is for evangelicals to take the lead in renewing a theological 'center' that can meet the challenges of the postmodern-and in some sense post-theological-situation in which the church now finds itself."

Grenz begins with a historical survey, considering the influence of two major strands within evangelicalism. He goes on to sketch a creative vision for a renewed evangelical theology that faces the intellectual challenges of its time. He further envisions an "evangelical center" through the establishment of a "generous orthodoxy" that enables the church to fulfill its mission in the world.

Renewing the Center is an important new book for professors and students of theology, pastors, and church leaders.