Reforming Fundamentalism: Fuller Seminary and the New Evangelicalism

by George M. Marsden

A sequel and companion to the author's widely acclaimed Fundamentalism and American Culture, this book uses the history of Fuller Theological Seminary — a durable evangelical institution — as a lens through which to focus an examination of the broader story of evangelicalism and fundamentalism since the 1940s. Marsden's detailed history relies heavily on primary sources, and his careful attention to the surrounding worlds of mainline denominations and stricter fundamentalism makes this book a major contribution to the study of a movement that has played an important role in shaping American culture.

Genres: History, Church History, Theology, Christianity, Religion, Nonfiction, Fundamentalism

342 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

George M. Marsden is the Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History Emeritus at the University of Notre Dame. He has written extensively on the interaction between Christianity and the American culture and has published numerous books, including Jonathan Edwards: A Life, which won the prestigious Bancroft Prize given for the best work of history. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Riveting history of Fuller Theological Seminary and the mid-twentieth century divide between fundamentalists and the new evangelicals.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. When it comes to American evangelical history, Marsden is king. I was also reminded on this read what a joy it is to read religious history from someone who actually understands theology and the importance that theology plays in historical cause and effect.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

institutional history is very much not my thing.

[JM · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can't really rival George Marsden when it comes to understanding the makings of modern conservative Christianity. Thoughtful, engaging, and erudite, this book obviously bears the marks of the great historian.

While history books can have a reputation for being dry, Reforming Fundamentalism is none of that. In fact, it reads like a novel. Marsden shows his skill as a master story teller.

Reforming Fundamentalism is the story of the founding of Evangelicalism, centering around the movement's main institution (Fuller Seminary) and the crew of brilliant minds teaching there during its first several years of operation. The seminary and its followers attempted to achieve acceptance in the academy and maintain orthodox convictions, but they felt they could only accomplish this through distancing themselves from the more strident forms of Fundamentalism and infiltrating liberal denominations with their graduates. To attain acceptance in the academy, Fuller struggled, and at times, refused, to anchor itself with a firm statement of beliefs. Unfortunately for the institution, that lack of anchor drifted it into rocky waters such as the inerrancy, thus creating a rift in Evangelicalism.

One weakness this book shows is using only Fuller to understand the larger Evangelicalism. Fuller has strong Reformed/Princeton roots, as Marsden points out. However, at several places Marsden seems to read these institutional roots into the larger Evangelicalism. This reductionism simply does not explain all the facts. If a Reformed heritage was the only background of Evangelicalism, why was Leslie R. Marston, a Free Methodist bishop, an early NAE leader? Why were Mennonites and First Wave Pentecostals among the original members of the NAE? While a Reformed background is a strong (probably the strongest) motif in early Evangelicalism, it is too simplistic to read that into the whole movement.

[John]

Such a good read—almost like a novel. And such a sad, sad story of the leftward slide of an evangelical institution that has little resemblance left of biblical Christianity. There are lessons on faithfulness and fidelity to learn from if we have eyes to see them.

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explains why evangelicalism cannot exist in contact with critical thought or academic excellence.

[Matthew Richey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book interesting for 2 reasons. First, having been on hand for the falling apart/break up of a seminary myself, I found this record of the founding, struggles, tensions, and blow-up of Fuller Seminary fascinating and illuminating. Secondly, I believe studying history is an exercise of getting to know oneself better. As the son of parents raised/saved into fundamentalist churches who slowly moved away from some of the radical elements of their upbringing (and would now identify as evangelicals, but be hesitant to claim "fundamentalist because of some connotations), this record of the break-up between the fundamentalist and progressive factions at Fuller Seminary was helpful in understanding my own history.

This isn't for everyone because I could see how the subject wouldn't be interesting for many, but if you are an evangelical or you have fundamentalist and/or evangelical roots this could be helpful in understanding some of the tensions and background to the fundamentalist and neo-evangelical movements. If you haven't read Marsden's Fundamentalism and Evangelical Culture yet read that first (so good) but this would be a great follow-up.

Marsden is an excellent historian and writer and these are on full display here. I felt he was fair and balanced to both sides of the split/break-up between Fuller and Fundamentalism. Five stars because I can't imagine anyone writing on this topic better than Marsden does here.

[Mark Seeley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading George Marsden. I came very late to this book, but it was an exceedingly interesting read that covered a good portion of my lifetime. Growing up in the fundamentalist culture, this book portrays its historical trajectory through evangelicalism to neo-evangelicalism to eventually, if I may say, American pragmatism. All this through the eyes of Fuller Theological Seminary. My seminary years ended in 1980 pretty much when the story ends. I remember reading Rogers and McKim's 'The Authority and the Inspiration of the Bible.' Many of the personalities and professors were people I read and studied. But also names from my youth. . . Jack Wyrtzen, Billy Graham, Wilber Smith. I found it intriguing that at first they wanted to model Old Princeton and emulate Machen, but did not adopt their confessional moorings. The result is that Fuller drifted into a benign and bland evangelicalism.

[James Ruley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This work by Marsden examines the establishment and fragmentation of the “new” evangelicalism through the lens of Fuller Seminary. The work explains the origins of Fuller as well as its challenges and eventual doctrinal drift over the years. Although the work was interesting and a helpful example of how evangelicalism evolved, the precise example of Fuller does not feel as relevant for explaining the movements development as a straight up history of it would have been. Interesting and helpful, but not incredible.

[Steve Wegman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The history of Fuller Seminary. It’s attempt to stay true to the fundamentals of Christianity while embracing thorough scholarship about the bible. Unfortunately it was written in 1987, with an update in 1995, so it could use further updating to describe where Fuller is today. Reading about how antagonistic people with different positions are toward each other as they fight over who rightly understands Jesus (who commands that we love each other) is disturbing.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm probably more interested in institutional histories than most readers, but this is really an interesting account of the clash of personalities, politics, and theology during the early days of Fuller Seminary. Marsden does a good job of being as objective as possible between the conservatives and the moderates.

[Joey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book covering the history of Fuller Theological Seminary from about the 1940's through the 1970's, focusing primarily on Fuller's role in the broader issues (separatism, inerrancy, scholarship) facing Fundamentalism and later New Evangelicalism. This is one of the first books I've read for a while that I literally couldn't put down. George Marsden is a great writer of history.

Fuller was founded to be an evangelical seminary, theologically Reformed, in the tradition of the old Princeton Seminary. The early founders were all out of the Fundamentalist movement, but they were frustrated by some of the anti-intellectualism that they saw in the movement. They desired to create a seminary that would be a center of Christian thought, bringing evangelical scholarship back into the mainstream.

Particularly saddening is the story of the career setbacks and psychological struggles of Fuller's second president, Edward John Carnell.

The last part of this book covers the criticism of Fuller Seminary's view on inerrancy (in the 70's) by its former professor Harold Lindsell in his book The Battle for the Bible.

Some of the key players in this book include the following:
Founders:
Charles E. Fuller
Harold John Ockenga - the first president of Fuller

Founding faculty at Fuller:
Harold Lindsell
Carl F.H. Henry
Everett F. Harrison
Wilbur M. Smith

Later presidents of Fuller:
Edward John Carnell
David Allan Hubbard

Later faculty at Fuller:
Charles J. Woodbridge
Bela Vassady
Daniel P. Fuller
Paul King Jewett
George Eldon Ladd
Gleason L. Archer Jr.
William Sanford Lasor
Geoffrey William Bromiley

Fundamentalists critical of the new school and the "New Evangelicalism":
John R. Rice
Carl McIntire

Early supporter of the school:
Billy Graham

As a side note, for those interested in the ministry of John Piper, though he is not mentioned in this book, he was greatly influenced by the men in this book. Piper was called to the ministry through hearing a radio sermon by Harold J. Ockenga, and he attended Fuller Theological Seminary from 1968-71. Piper has said that some of the books that have most influenced his theology & preaching were written by Daniel P. Fuller and George Eldon Ladd.

[Todd Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. A must read for any seminarian or student of the history of evangelicalism in the West. Marsden, in a scholarly and balanced fashion, chronicles the founding and first decades of Fuller Seminary. The intra-church struggles, interpersonal struggles, and the vision and pushback of the leaders was absolutely fascinating. The debate over inerrancy, the flirtation with higher criticism, and the desire to be respected by the Academy, all serve as a warning for seminaries that care about the truth. Fuller found itself on a slippery slope, sliding downward. The result is that the professors who initially pushed for change would be horrified by where the seminary is now.

[James Harmeling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding and very readable modern history of the ongoing struggle to define and practice balanced conservative theology. This book leads the reader to delve into Henry's auto-bio, Nelson's tragic bio of Carnell, and Fuller's bio of his father. It also illumines the background to Lindsell's famous books as well as Henry's and Ladd's.

I think every pastor and Christian ministry leader should thoughtfully work through this book for the purpose of defining their ministry or school. It is a leadership study that Marsden makes as objective as possible.

[Demetrius Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many people and facts to keep track of here. At times the details bog the narrative down a bit. But, overall, this is an enthralling account of the inception of Fuller Seminary and an even more engrossing account of the lives and personalities of its early faculty. I have a new found appreciation for the goals and ideas of the new evangelicalism and the perils they faced to try to accomplish them. Harold Ockenga may be one of my new favorite people of the 20th century. What a time they lived it and what a story that came of their lives!

[Carrie]

This is a book about Fuller's history and ethos. It was drastically more interesting than I anticipated; so much scandal! But in a good way! This is the story of Fuller figuring out who she was and who she would be, spanning from the 1940's-1980's. I resonate not with the exact struggles represented over time, but I resonate with where I think Fuller is now and the nature of the struggles as well as the more forged corners of identity represented. Makes me happy to say I'm a student here.

[Jonathan Ginn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely fascinating read, masterfully written by a world-class church historian. Marsden’s ability to take the lively origin story of Fuller Seminary, along with both her private and not-so-private developments, and weave together a well-researched, yet truly gripping, page-turner is second to none. I couldn’t help but notice timely parallels between some of the things that were going on then, and what seems to be taking place now.

[Mark Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marsden doesn't like my use of this book (he says so in the intro to the second edition), but it can't be helped. He shows the results of 20th century evangelical doctrinal compromise. Sound doctrine is important because it's healthy food for Christian people. When they give away their good nutrition under pressure from the world, bad things happen.

[Nathan Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book by George Marsden that I have read in the last few months and I must say I was not dissapointed. I really appreciate his insights even if I dont always identify with the authors conclusions and would probably have a bit of a different outlook on who the heroes and villains were in this story.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books on Church History I have read. Fascinating story with many lessons for us to learn and warnings to heed.

[Andy]

0388

[Zach Waldis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't recommend this enough. Marsden is as compelling a writer as he is an historian. And he's a good evangelical like me :)

[Mike Matiscik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad story of religious manipulators. Look at what they did to Fuller Seminary. So so sad.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still refer to and think of this book often. It was largely new information to me and the telling of it kept me going at a pretty good clip. So much to learn from this history of fundamentalism!

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know why I eat up the drama of fundamentalism, but here I am again. Marsden's work is like reading soap operas to me. I can't get enough. The drama is ludicrous, the pettiness hilarious. Why is this happening to me? I blame you, George.