Disclosing God in Action: Contemporary British Evangelical Practices

Dear Colleagues,

Evangelicalism has many scholarly historical, theological and sociological accounts of what it is and what it should be as a movement, as evidenced by special issues in this journal and beyond (e.g. Atherstone and Jones, 2019; Greggs, 2009; Warner 2007). Increasingly, however, evangelical scholarship has been developing a more substantial engagement with practice through making use of interdisciplinary theological methodologies, with recent groundbreaking work calling for more voices to be heard in this endeavour (Morris and Cameron, 2022: 224). This is what this special issue aims to do.

We are seeking contributions from diverse scholars who self-identify as evangelical, doing research work into the contemporary practices of British evangelical Christians, or indeed, of the scholar’s own practices. The focus is on British evangelicalism due to its own distinct history and theological dynamics that makes it worthy of study in its own right (e.g. Stanley, 2013: 38f), as well as allowing for a coherent scope to this special issue. We recognise that British evangelicalism is transnational, intercultural, interdenominational and intergenerational in its make-up, and so would encourage contributors who can speak to these dynamics. Furthermore, since the covid pandemic, our world has faced prolonged multiple and complex crises. In this age of ‘permacrisis’, what fresh insights are needed? We would therefore also encourage contributions that can engage with practices set against this post-pandemic backdrop.

We are interested in accounts of what British evangelicals actually do in the day-to-day practicing of their faith; of how their practices form and sustain contemporary communities within the various contexts of home, work, church and the public and political sphere. We are looking for critical, reflexive and constructive accounts of practice, that move to reflect theologically on how God’s own action is disclosed through these practices, however partially discerned (Volf and Bass, 2002; cf. Root, 2014, Watkins, 2020). Such practices might include, but are not limited to, Bible engagement, conferences, contemplation, discipleship, Eucharist, evangelism, fasting, small groups, forgiveness, giving, gratitude, hospitality, intercession, intercultural activity, political mobilisation, Sabbath, singing, solitude, spiritual gifts, and social, racial and reparative justice. Contributors may offer accounts that draw on differing conceptual understandings of practice, including their shape, normativity, and specificity for Christian formation. Contributors from any area of theology are welcome.

It is the guest editors’ hope that this theological engagement with contemporary British evangelical practices will indicate possibilites for the future of evangelicalism, as well as enrich the academic discourse around this most contested of movements.

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200-300 words (Deadline for abstract submission: Wednesday 27 March 2024) summarizing their intended contribution. Please send abstracts to the Guest Editors. Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors for the purposes of ensuring a proper fit within the scope of the special issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review. Manuscripts should be between 5000-10,000 words in total.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

References:

Atherstone, Andrew, and David Ceri Jones (eds.). The Routledge Research Companion to The History of Evangelicalism. London: Routledge, 2019.

Greggs, Tom, ed. New Perspectives for Evangelical Theology: Engaging with God, Scripture, and the World. London: Routledge, 2010.

Morris, Helen and Helen Cameron (eds.). Evangelicals Engaging with Practical Theology: Theology That Impacts Church and World. London: Routledge, 2022.

Root, Andrew. Christopraxis: A Practical Theology of the Cross. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2014.

Stanley, Brian. The Global Diffusion of Evangelicalism: The Age of Billy Graham and John Stott.  Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2013.

Volf, Miroslav, and Dorothy C. Bass, eds. Practicing Theology: Beliefs and Practices in Christian Life. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002.

Warner, Rob. Reinventing English Evangelicalism, 1966-2001: A Theological and Sociological Study. Milton Keynes: Paternoster, 2007.

Watkins, Clare. Disclosing Church: An Ecclesiology Learned from Conversations in Practice. London: Routledge, 2020.

Dr. Andrew Rogers
Dr. Helen Collins
Dr. Israel Olofinjana
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 200-300 words) should be sent to the Guest Editors for pre-check.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• evangelicalism
• contemporary
• British
• practices
• divine action
• theological reflection