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Beyond Evangelical
Recent studies indicate that evangelical Christians are known by the world as people who are narrow-minded, judgmental, self-righteous, legalistic, callous, hard-hearted, politically partisan, and quick to attack their own. Why is this, and is there a viable cure?
The evangelical Christian world has fractured into four main streams. One of these streams has grown weary of the Christian Right vs. Christian Left squabbles and vitriolic disputes. If this describes you, then you are not alone. And you will be encouraged to know that God is raising up a new breed of orthodox Christians who are breaking free from the Christian Right vs. Left quagmire.
"Beyond Evangelical" explores the changing face of evangelicalism and introduces readers to a growing segment of the Christian population who do not fit into the Right or Left categories, but who are marked by an uncommon devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ as this world's true Lord.
The evangelical Christian world has fractured into four main streams. One of these streams has grown weary of the Christian Right vs. Christian Left squabbles and vitriolic disputes. If this describes you, then you are not alone. And you will be encouraged to know that God is raising up a new breed of orthodox Christians who are breaking free from the Christian Right vs. Left quagmire.
"Beyond Evangelical" explores the changing face of evangelicalism and introduces readers to a growing segment of the Christian population who do not fit into the Right or Left categories, but who are marked by an uncommon devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ as this world's true Lord.
Kindle Edition
First published June 8, 2012
2 people are currently reading
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About the author
Frank Viola
67 books206 followersFrank is a bestselling author and in-demand conference speaker. You can find his books, podcasts, articles, messages, and courses at http://frankviola.org.
Viola doesn't interact on GoodReads. If you want to contact him, you can write him directly with a question or comment at frank@frankviola.com.
Viola doesn't interact on GoodReads. If you want to contact him, you can write him directly with a question or comment at frank@frankviola.com.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 14, 2025
Astonishingly good read that brings evangelicalism back to its roots and shows how the modern Left and Right have departed from those roots. Really gave language for how I feel and what I believe. Solidly biblical. It's out of print but can be found in Viola's "Titan" - There Must Be More.
September 18, 2015
Excellent book. Frank Viola hits a home run with this one.
With some exception, most of Evangelical Christianity can be segmented into two categories. Those on the right/conservative and those on the left/liberal with some variation in between. Evangelical Christianity is typically comprised of four key components: Biblicism, Conversionism, Crucicentrism, and Activism. Beyond Evangelical goes beyond the left/right paradox and focuses on the centrality and supremacy of Jesus Christ. Living by the indwelling life of Christ. Beyond Evangelical expands upon the evangelical quadrilateral with four additional notes: Christ-centered, Resurrection life-centered, Body life-centered, and Eternal-purpose centered. It appreciates the positive sides to the strengths found in both conservative and liberal Christianity while avoiding its weaknesses. To be clear, Beyond Evangelical is not anti-evangelical, non-evangelical, or post-evangelical. Instead, it takes evangelical and goes a step further entirely releasing itself from the man-made constraints of evangelicalism (theology, denominationalism, doctrine, etc) and relies solely on Christ. In essence, Beyond Evangelical offers a third way. Beyond Evangelical sounds a lot like "Deep Church" by Jim Belcher, but only better. Belcher's view gets muddled in the existing paradigms of left/right Christianity, whereas Beyond Evangelical doesn't.
If you are tired of the bickering, left/right polarization, tribalism, and politics of evangelical Christianity, I highly recommend Beyond Evangelical. It seemingly crushes through these barriers and guides us once again to a very Christ centered life.
Perhaps the best summary of what it means to go "Beyond Evangelical" is this:
"To reject evangelical culture in favor of a more catholic, diverse and ancient expression of the Christian faith, while, adhering to evangelical doctrine without becoming part of team or faction operating under the illusion of superiority to others and a closure of the Christian conversation." (Location 1463 of 1970)
With some exception, most of Evangelical Christianity can be segmented into two categories. Those on the right/conservative and those on the left/liberal with some variation in between. Evangelical Christianity is typically comprised of four key components: Biblicism, Conversionism, Crucicentrism, and Activism. Beyond Evangelical goes beyond the left/right paradox and focuses on the centrality and supremacy of Jesus Christ. Living by the indwelling life of Christ. Beyond Evangelical expands upon the evangelical quadrilateral with four additional notes: Christ-centered, Resurrection life-centered, Body life-centered, and Eternal-purpose centered. It appreciates the positive sides to the strengths found in both conservative and liberal Christianity while avoiding its weaknesses. To be clear, Beyond Evangelical is not anti-evangelical, non-evangelical, or post-evangelical. Instead, it takes evangelical and goes a step further entirely releasing itself from the man-made constraints of evangelicalism (theology, denominationalism, doctrine, etc) and relies solely on Christ. In essence, Beyond Evangelical offers a third way. Beyond Evangelical sounds a lot like "Deep Church" by Jim Belcher, but only better. Belcher's view gets muddled in the existing paradigms of left/right Christianity, whereas Beyond Evangelical doesn't.
If you are tired of the bickering, left/right polarization, tribalism, and politics of evangelical Christianity, I highly recommend Beyond Evangelical. It seemingly crushes through these barriers and guides us once again to a very Christ centered life.
Perhaps the best summary of what it means to go "Beyond Evangelical" is this:
"To reject evangelical culture in favor of a more catholic, diverse and ancient expression of the Christian faith, while, adhering to evangelical doctrine without becoming part of team or faction operating under the illusion of superiority to others and a closure of the Christian conversation." (Location 1463 of 1970)
June 28, 2013
There were certainly portions of this book that challenged me and made me think. But for most of the book, the author seemed to have an overly negative, and in many cases, an incorrect view of both the religious "right and left." The nature of the book required some level of generalization and stereotyping. But, in my opinion, the author's assertions were not how I would define the views of those I know on the religious right and left. Overall, the book was a challenged me to think about how we approach evangelism and our faith in general.
March 26, 2015
An excellent treatise on what it means to go "beyond evangelical" in pursuit of Christ and God's ageless purpose.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews