Evangelicals & Sources of Authority

What are the sources of authority for evangelical Christians in their debates and practices? They often refer to the Bible, but it is not the sole source. Practical results are important, as are personal feelings and experiences. Fourteen researchers examined the sources of authority to which evangelicals appeal. It was assumed that they accepted a certain balance between the authority of the Bible, tradition, experiences and rationality. In the past two decades, however, a shift from traditional interpretations of the Bible to an emphasis on individual experiences and emotions has been discernible, with varying implications. It is time to acknowledge that the evangelical movement is not stuck in conservatism, but is willing to enter new debates with changing sources of authority. This is volume 6 in the famous peer-reviewed AmSTar Series [Amsterdam Studies in Theology and Religion], published under the auspices of the Center of Evangelical and Reformation Theology (CERT).