Following five years of surveys into the beliefs and actions of evangelicals in the UK, the Evangelical Alliance has released a groundbreaking new book, 21st Century Evangelicals. 

Following more than a dozen short reports, the Alliance drew together leading academics in theology and the social sciences who looked in depth at the data and contributed their analysis and reflection. The book is made up of chapters tackling subjects including social involvement, politics, global mission, gender and families, each with a response from an experienced practitioner.  

21st Century Evangelicals busts many of the myths of what evangelicals look like, and delving beneath the surface of the surveys provides an impressive portrait of a vibrant and active part of the UK Church.     

In recent years there has been an explosion of interest in religious belief and its unexpected resilience in a world where it was predicted to demise. This book explains why evangelical Christians are of particular interest, as the churches they are part of are usually the ones bucking the trend of nationwide decline.  

The Rt Rev Julian Henderson, Bishop of Blackburn, commented on the book’s publication: “The research produces many fascinating insights which will inform the way evangelicals understand themselves and their movement.” 

Greg Smith, editor of the volume, said: “The data we have compiled is a treasure chest of information about evangelicals in the UK. In the book we have been able to delve deeper than in the initial reports, and our team of authors has set out their analysis in the framework of contemporary academic debates, while writing in a style that should be accessible to all.”

21st Century Evangelicals is out now, edited by Greg Smith and published by Instant Apostle.  Purchase your copy of 21st Century Evangelicals. 

Notes

* ISBN: 9781909728257 

* The book’s editor, Greg Smith, is research manager at the Evangelical Alliance and is also a William Temple Foundation Associate Research Fellow. 

* Chapter authors: 

• Rev Dr Steve R. Holmes: Baptist minister and Senior Lecturer in Theology at the University of St Andrews. He chairs the Evangelical Alliance’s Theology Advisory Group (TAG). 
• Dr Mandy Robbins: Reader in Psychology in the Department of Psychology, Glyndwr University, Wrexham. 
• Dr Matthew Guest: Senior Lecturer in Theology and Religion at Durham University. 
• Dr Keith J. White: Visiting Tutor at Spurgeon’s College, Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary and Asian Graduate School of Theology. 
• Dr Sylvia Collins-Mayo: Head of the Department of Criminology and Sociology at Kingston University. 
• Professor William K. Kay: Professor of Theology at Glyndwr University, Wrexham. 
•  Dr William Ackah: Lecturer in Community and Voluntary Sector Studies in the Department of Geography, Environment and Development Studies at Birkbeck College, University of London. 
• Dr Dave Landrum: Director of Advocacy at the Evangelical Alliance. 

* Reflections on the book’s chapters were provided by: Lucy Peppiatt, John Glass, Fran Beckett OBE, Stephen Timms MP, Elaine Duncan, Alan Charter, Anne Dyer and Israel Olofinjana.