Evangelicalism's strength (and weakness) is that it is entrepreneurial. Evangelical leaders can quickly respond to needs and create strategic organizations or creative intellectual projects. In short, Evangelicalism has been influenced by charismatic and creative leaders... and thinkers. Because evangelicalism isn't institutional but is shaped by these strong leaders it also is vulnerable to leaders who are not well-grounded evangelicals. We've seen this over the last few decades as academic theology has been profoundly shaped by fads like Liberation Theology, Process Theology, Openness Theology, Post-Modern [Emergent] Theology, Barthian Theology, and New Perspective Theology. Historical perspective and robust biblical theology allow us to understand and critique these movements. This session will evaluate how evangelical theologians can become wiser and better equipped to evaluate the next academic fad.
