Born Againism: Perspectives on a Movement

by Eric W. Gritsch

Book Overview

What are the origins of the born-again movement? How does the born-again experience relate to Baptism? Why do fundamentalists argue the literal inspiration of the Bible? Answers to these questions and many more emerge from the story of the born-again movement. Born Againism places the born-again phenomenon in historical perspective, beginning in the late eighteenth century as a movement propelled by speculations about the end time (millennialism)...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0800616251
• ISBN13: 9780800616250
• Release Date: January 1982
• Publisher: Fortress Press
• Length: 111 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Essential reading on new versions of Christianity

According to the author, much of what passes for Christianity these days is simply a few decades or centuries old, usually the result of a charismatic writer/speaker who touched upon a nerve or fear in society and convinced enough people that God was speaking through him. Moreover, much of this "Christianity" is held by its believers to be "from the apostles" or somehow what Christians in the 2nd and 3rd centuries professed. Furthermore, Pentecostalism and Fundamentalism are the fastest spreading versions of Christianity in the world today, so an understanding of the origins and underpinnings of the movement are required of any thoughtful student of culture or religion. This book is the single best place to begin on the subject if you want a critique from a Lutheran perspective that goes along with much of what would be termed the Great Tradition of the eastern and western Christian views. As a movement, "Bornagainism" is one example. The author, a Lutheran, does a masterful job outlining the origins of the millennialist/fundamentalist movement from its British roots in reaction the French Revolution to the (odd) variety that America always gives whatever it touches. This led up to new, individualized ways of understanding scripture, authority and the nature of the Church, again culminating in wide diversity of opinion and even a strong shift toward fundamentalism in the previously immune Lutheran tradition about the inerrancy of the bible (and note, not the literal nature of the bible accounts, especially Genesis). This distinction between literalism and inerrancy is a key point, since it opens up all interpretations under so-called prophetic influence to be the binding word of God. The author points out the obvious and not-so-obvious contradictions that result from this hermeneutic and gives a Lutheran corrective that tries to avoid the confusion of God's word with the Scripture and God's word with one's own feelings about a spiritual state. Gritsch then goes on to cross-examine the charismatic movement, outlining its history from Kansas tongues and the pietists concerned with true holiness to the "Christian narcissism" that may result from or induce an obsession about one's own spiritual temperature and neither the grace of God nor love of neighbor. Finally, the author looks at the question and relationship between being born again and baptism, giving preference to the traditional sacramental model one would expect from a Lutheran, Catholic or Orthodox understanding. I would recommend this book as essential reading on the spirit of modern American Christianity and also on the fastest version of Christianity spreading around the world today. As a curious side note, the book Power and the Papacy: The People and Politics Behind the Doctrine of Infallibility details an intriguing connection between millennialism and the rise of papal infallibility. Not often considered, but VERY interesting reading. Enjoy!

A very good introduction to those movements

In this interesting book, published in 1982, the author sets out to explain the origins and beliefs of the "born-again movement." Starting out in late eighteenth century England, he traces the evolution of the movement, and its split into Fundamentalism and the Charismatic Movement. The narrative is quite fascinating, and the author does a very good job of explaining the movement's history; explaining what various people taught, and giving the scripture they used to justify their positions.The two sections (Fundamentalism and the Charismatic Movement) each end with a chapter wherein the author explains the position of "ecumenical Christianity" on the issues raised previously. In general the resource most relied upon are the works of Martin Luther, so it might be that "ecumenical Christianity" is another way of saying "Lutheran". I apologize if this is not the case, I just don't understand what the author meant.Overall, I thought that this book did do a masterful job of explain Fundamentalism and the Charismatic Movement in a nonjudgmental way, giving the reader a full understand of where those movements came from and what they believe. My one complaint against this book is that it does not include an index, which I found somewhat irritating. That said, though, I liked this book and highly recommend it.