Home > Christian History > Archives > Issue 92: America’s 20th Century Evangelical Awakening

Issue 92 : America’s 20th Century Evangelical Awakening

Originally published in 2006

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Table of Contents

A New Evangelical Awakening: Did You Know?

Interesting and Little Known Facts about America's Mid Century Evangelical Resurgence
From the Editor: Climbing the family tree

Jennifer Trafton
LIVING HISTORY

Patron Saint Nearly Benched

David Neff and Rebecca Golossanov
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum!

A brief history of the Christmas tree.

Edwin Woodruff Tait
"America's Hour Has Struck"

As the 20th century reached its midpoint, visionary Boston preacher Harold John Ockenga helped launch a "new era in evangelical Christianity."

Garth Rosell
Who Were the "Fundamentalists"?

Many people associate this word with religious bigotry and close-mindedness. But in the early 20th century, fundamentalists were simply evangelicals determined to do battle for the faith.

Douglas A. Sweeney
The New Evangelicalism

Harold John Ockenga defines the vision of the movement in this excerpt from a sermon preached at Park Street Church on December 8, 1957.
The Young and the Zealous

How do you change the course of the nation's future? Youth for Christ had the answer: Win over the next generation.

Bruce L. Shelley
The Riptide of Revival

Billy Graham's early crusades stirred the sleeping conscience of mid-century America.

William Martin
Ambitious for God

Henrietta Mears loved hats, college students, and the boundless possibilities of Christian ministry.

Jennifer Woodruff Tait
Evangelical Entrepreneurs

The Parachurch phenomenon

Michael S. Hamilton
America's Evangelical Explosion

The central section of the timeline shows the growth of evangelical parachurch organizations, institutions, and associations during this era. Founders names are in parentheses.
The Born-Again Mind

Harold John Ockenga's conviction that the church needs thinkers helped spark a renaissance of evangelical scholarship.

George Marsden
Awakening the Evangelical Conscience

The New Evangelicals called for a fresh application of Christian truth to the social problems of the day.

Richard J. Mouw
One in the Spirit?

Evangelicals are still searching for the elusive ideal of unity.

Douglas A. Sweeney
A New Evangelical Awakening: Recommended Resources

Dig Deeper into this issue's theme
PEOPLE WORTH KNOWING

The Politics of Service

Three Christian activists who drew on faith to fight social challenges

Collin Hansen
CHANGED LIVES

Fueled by Fervent Prayer

Youth for Christ's praying community sent young Harold Myra on a lifetime quest.