Product Description

The first half of this book takes a biographical approach to its subject, examining Carnell’s early life and education, while the second half of the book looks topically at the issues that shaped Carnell’s career and, as the author proposes, may have led to his psychological undoing. Through the lens of Carnell’s personal struggle, this book offers a provocative view into the larger cultural tensions, unleashed by new modes of secular thought, that challenged the framework of American religious life during the middle years of the twentieth century.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3354319 in Books
• Published on: 2002-11-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 268 pages

Review
"A fascinating biography and theological critique of Carnell, one of this century's most important leaders of American Protestant evangelicalism...Nelson's book is an excellent example of the way in which biography can provide an angle for historical, cultural, and theological commentary." Religious Studies Review

Customer Reviews

Pathos without empathy
To the extent that Nelson's biography represents the meticulous research of detailed aspects of Edward John Carnell's life (1919-1967) and ministry, this book is a very valuable resource for students of Carnell's thought.

Nelson's overall assessment of Carnell, however, seems to classify Fuller Seminary's second President as much as "ex-evangelical" as "new-evangelical". What is not appraised thoroughly enough is Carnell's commitment to objectivity in Christian apologetics: for Carnell, a thoroughgoingly Biblical faith transcends the strictures of various theological camps: whether Fundamentalist or Reformed; it was also bold enough to face liberalism squarely. Regrettably, the significance of Carnell's eloquent commitment to a historical-grammatical hermeneutic is not recorded and discussed with sufficient emphasis.

In addition, the apparently linking of interpretations regarding Carnell's death - about which uncertainty remains - to a negative assessment of his overall thought is strong on pathos but is not particularly effective, in my view (except perhaps to readers predisposed to discredit it).

Nelson's study of this most distinguished President of Fuller Theological Seminary is nonetheless a very valuable one.

Mark J. Fenn MPhil (Wales)