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Evangelicals in Exile

Evangelicals in Exile
By Alistair Ross
Darton, Longman & Todd
163 pages. £9.95

Alistair Ross is a 'wounded pilgrim' (the title of the series to which this volume belongs) who introduces himself as an evangelical with whom other evangelicals would feel uncomfortable and prefer to see in exile. Such an opening is enough to wake up any reader and arouse at least a curious interest.
In a highly readable, autobiographical style, the author takes us into his world and tells us the story of his life. We learn of his family background, hear of his conversion as a teenager, and are allowed to share some of the emotional and intellectual struggles he subsequently experienced. As he embarks upon a college course to prepare for the ministry, he exposes the inadequacies of an 'evangelical' theology and system which is not really concerned with people. We are hardly surprised to find these inadequacies spilling over into congregational life and a catalogue of painful situations faced in a variety of churches. A major component of this struggle was the author's involvement with Rachel, a deeply wounded Christian, during a prolonged period of counselling.
The perceived inability of evangelical theology and institutions to genuinely understand and meet the needs of such people led Alistair Ross into the realms of psychology in its various forms. Eventually, in the midst of personal struggles, it led to personal counselling and therapy in which he was on the receiving end of help.
The outcome of these experiences for him was the evolution of what he describes as 'psychodynamic theology'- an approach to the task of theology which openly relies on the insights of the whole gamut of psychological schools of thought. Theologians have provided the 'Lego bricks', but he is building his own precarious structure (p.119). 'It is theology from below, beginning where people are, encountered in their spiritual and therapeutic need.' His view of the cross at the centre of this theology is 'not so much in an all-too-neat understanding of the atonement but the entering into the depths of human pain and sin in order to restore relationship'. The four parameters of his thought are that God is persons in communion, he is encountered in revelation and relationships, God and theology are paradoxical and something of God is known metaphorically.
Many issues raised in this book are valid. There is indeed a need for an honest and constructive critique of evangelicalism more concerned with form rather than essence. Such a system is a hair's breadth removed from Pharisaism. Flowing from that, there is also a desperate need to re-appreciate the vibrant relational dimension to the Christian life. We are grateful to Mr. Ross for his candour in addressing these concerns.
There are, however, many other aspects of the book which are profoundly disturbing. What is offered to the wounded, for whom it was primarily written, is nothing more than cushions for their doubt and uncertainty. There is no hint of a Jesus who is mighty to save, or of a faith where 'I knows whom I have believed'. The very idea of such certainty is alien to the author.
The list of psychologists cited is chilling in the sense that few, if any, would have any sympathy for the Christian gospel and many of them are known for lifestyles which were distinctly unchristian. Perhaps most concerning of all, in an age when books are often sold on the basis of who endorses them, is that Steve Chalke's imprimatur will place this book into the hands of many who will be ill-equipped to cope with it.
Evangelical Christians must be honest as they face the struggles of life in a fallen world. But the answers to those struggles must come from robust and dynamic interaction with God's reliable Word which is unique in its ability to equip us for life in fellowship with him and his people.

Mark Johnston
Grove Chapel,
Camberwell