In Deconstructing Evangelicalism, Presbyterian historian (and contributing scholar to Modern Reformation) D. G. Hart joins both historical argument and theological prescription in his typically iconoclastic fashion. Claiming that the recent resurgence of evangelical history is nothing more than a historical and sociological fiction papering over the differences in the creeds, polity, and worship practices of conservative Protestants, Hart urges everyone involved in the evangelical racket to give up the label and return to more basic denominational identities. The result, he believes, would be more faithful Christianity and a more reasoned academic dialogue.
There can be no doubt that renewed denominational identity, centered on revitalized interest and commitment to distinctive creeds, polities, and worship would be a boon. Yet the “so what?” question haunts this book. Hart suggests that the damage done by a moratorium on the term evangelical would be negligible, and further that this indicates a weakness of evangelical identity. An evangelical might respond that this is to misconstrue the descriptor in the first place, which is not supposed to be about creeds, polities, or worship. Rather, it is about a certain attitude or style that flows from the recognition that the gospel of Jesus-his death and resurrection-has a world-historical significance that changes everything. Is there sufficient substance to this attitude or style to encourage the gospel-oriented piety for which John Calvin and the Reformed tradition are noted? Is there a substance here, regardless of its label, that we who are committed to a modern Reformation can say we earnestly desire? Hart clearly thinks not.
