The Activist Impulse [Hardcover]

Description: Anabaptists have often felt suspicious of American evangelicalism, and in turn evangelicals have found various reasons to dismiss the Anabaptist witness. Yet at various points in the past as well as the present, evangelicals and Anabaptists have found ample reason for conversation and much to appreciate about each other. The Activist Impulse represents the first book-length examination of the complex relationship between evangelicalism and Anabaptism in the past thirty years. It brings established experts and new voices together in an effort to explore the historical and theological intersection of these two rich traditions. Each of the essays provides fresh insight on at least one characteristic that both evangelicals and Anabaptists share--an impulse to engage society through the pursuit of active Christian witness. Endorsements: From George Marsden's wise foreword, the editors' informative introduction, and Steve Nolt's superb survey of Anabaptist-evangelical relationships in American and Canadian history, right through to the last chapter and Sara Wenger Shenk's discerning afterword, this volume sparkles. Its examination of Anabaptists among North American evangelicals brims with discerning historical insight. For Anabaptists, evangelicals, and evangelical Anabaptists with eyes to see, it also provides a bracing challenge to live up to the best in these respective traditions. There have been good books before on the complexity of evangelical-Anabaptist relationships, but this one is the best. --Mark A. Noll Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History, University of Notre Dame Author of Protestantism: A Very Short Introduction (2011) This is a very timely and helpful set of essays. It is timely because more than a few evangelicals are finding themselves attracted to Anabaptism. It is helpful because this set of essays offers many avenues through which to explore the tensions and intersections between these two traditions. --Mark Thiessen Nation l/