In This Issue - Fall 2006

This issue of Revitalization highlights a current initiative to breathe new life into evangelical Christianity, particularly its U.S. versions, by reminding the movement of its roots. The Call to an Ancient Evangelical Future grows out of efforts by noted author Robert Webber at Northern Seminary, Lombard, Illinois, to build consensus around “ancient” biblical and theological affirmations that cut across contemporary ideas and values that have compromised American evangelicalism. Yet in mining the church’s early tradition, the call indirectly affirms some aspects of postmodernity, particularly the emphasis on narrative and, to some degree, cultural diversity.

This is both a consensus and a compromise document. It went through almost forty drafts, with intense debate over particular emphases and specific wording. Some 300 people participated, and over 400 have now endorsed the document, including several people associated with Asbury Theological Seminary. (For full information see www.ancientfutureworship.com.)

We think this is an important document in ongoing discussions about the meaning of Christian faithfulness and of church renewal. It has already been lambasted in Touchstone magazine for its “vagueness.”

I became fairly intensely involved in the later discussions on specific wording and emphases, especially regarding the priority of biblical authority, New Testament ecclesiology, and issues of reform and renewal. (I am thus listed as one of the four theological editors; the others are Hans Boersma, James I. Packer Professor of Theology, Regent College; Kevin Vanhoozer, Research Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; and D. H. Williams, Professor of Religion in Patristics and Historical Theology, Baylor University. Robert Webber of Northern Seminary and Phil Kenyon of the Grow Center at Northern Seminary are listed as co-conveners.)

Northern Seminary is hosting a conference on the AEF Call, December 7-9, 2006. Speakers include Martin Marty, Brian McLaren, and Frederica Mathewes-Green. More information is available at the website indicated above. The Call is printed in this issue of Revitalization without additional comment, and as a basis for further discussion—particularly regarding issues of reform and renewal.

-Howard A. Snyder