Evangelicals and Social Action: From John Wesley To John Stott

Evangelical Christians have debated the extent of their involvement in social action and concern. Ian J. Shaw's book explores whether evangelism and social action have been intimately related throughout the history of the church, focusing on thinking and practices from John Wesley to John Stotts. It examines responses from the evangelical church to eighteen key issues of social action and concern between the 1730s and the 1970s, illuminating how Evangelical Christianity has viewed and been a part of ministries of social action over the last three centuries.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 21 October 2021
Publisher: Inter-Varsity Press

Evangelical Christians worldwide have engaged in lengthy discussions regarding the extent of their involvement in social action and concern ministries. In his book, Evangelicals and Social Action, Ian J. Shaw provides valuable insights into these debates by tracing the historical engagement of the evangelical church with social issues. Shaw focuses on the thought and practices of influential figures such as John Wesley, one of the architects of eighteenth-century evangelicalism, and John Stotts, who worked in the second half of the twentieth century. He examines whether evangelism and social action have been closely intertwined throughout the history of the church, as Stott contended.

The book begins by providing a comprehensive overview of Christian social action prior to Wesley, encompassing the early church through the eighteenth century. It then delves into detailed responses from the evangelical church worldwide to eighteen key social action and concern issues that emerged between the 1730s and the 1970s. These issues range from poverty to racial equality, addiction to children at risk, slavery to unemployment, and learning disability. The examples provided are drawn from a diverse range of contexts, showcasing how Evangelical Christianity has viewed and been involved in ministries of social action over the past three centuries.

In conclusion, Evangelicals and Social Action is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the history of the evangelical church and the Christian perspective on social action. Shaw's comprehensive analysis and thoughtful insights offer valuable contributions to ongoing debates within the evangelical community and beyond. This book is particularly relevant for individuals interested in exploring the intersection of faith and social responsibility and those seeking to better understand the role of the evangelical church in addressing contemporary social challenges.

Weight: 506g
Dimension: 313 x 311 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783596584