Mention in New York Times (April 29)

Thanks to the faithful visitor to my blog who alerted me to the fact that I am mentioned in this Sunday’s (April 29, 2012) New York Times (Book Reviews) in an article entitled “Breaking Faith”–a review by Randall Balmer. Balmer uses me as one of five people who provide “evidence of the vitality of Christian thinking.” I really don’t think I deserve that, but I’ll gladly accept it (especially if it helps sell my books! 🙂

I have known Randall casually for several years. He’s the son of an Evangelical Free pastor who has struggled long and hard with his evangelical upbringing and education. (He attended Trinity College, now Trinity International University.) I think his book Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory (and the accompanying public TV series) is one of the best popular presentations of American evangelicalism I have ever read/seen. It’s a little dated now, but still very informative, entertaining, insightful and even inspiring. Every time I watch the series (I’ve shown it to many classes over the years) I tear up at certain points that transport me back to my own evangelical upbringing. (Especially the scenes from the Holiness Camp Meeting for some reason.)

I can’t recommend Randall’s books on American religion and especially evangelicalism highly enough.