Many books have been written either defending or detracting from an evangelical view of the Bible. Christian Smith, as a trained sociologist, offers a much-needed perspective: explaining evangelical biblicism as a sociological phenomenon. Smith demonstrates, respectfully but critically, that the type of biblicism that often characterizes evangelicalism cannot account for how scripture itself behaves. Biblicism is retained, however, because of its sociological value for ”maintaining safe identity boundaries.” Smith”s analysis of the problem of biblicism and his offer of a way forward are important contributions to the current developments and tensions surrounding evangelicalism and the Bible.”–Peter Enns, author, Inspiration and Incarnation: Evangelicals and the Problem of the Old Testament

— Interesting – I thought of the idea of ”boundries” before regarding this.  I noticed how participants in the debate about creationism were curiously uninterested in the actual facts. The facts were sort of incidental and all they wanted was an adequate veneer of scientific respectability.

The Bible Made Impossible: Why Biblicism Is Not a Truly Evangelical Reading of Scripture [Hardcover] Christian Smith (Author)

“Christian Smith plainly says what so many others have been thinking or implying for some time–namely, that many strands of evangelicalism believe things about the Bible and theology that are simply impossible. Smith exposes the scholastic alchemy that holds this fragile theological edifice together and helps us understand that serious damage is done to the church and its witness when we perpetuate the errors of biblicism.”–Kenton L. Sparks, Eastern University

From the Back Cover

“Evangelicalism is cracking apart not because of theological drift to the left but because the only theology that can sustain a genuine evangelicalism is–to use the only word appropriate—a catholic theology. Many who were nurtured in American evangelicalism (as Christian Smith was) and now find it seriously deficient (as Christian Smith does) seem to be those on whom the light has dawned. I first saw a chapter of this book and was stunned; I”ve now read it all and am delighted. Here is a genuinely evangelical catholic understanding of scripture.”– Scot McKnight, North Park University

“Biblicism remains one of the most entrenched and pressing problems facing the church. In his characteristically lucid, direct, and fair-minded fashion, Christian Smith asks questions about biblicism that need to be answered. Smith also begins to articulate an alternative, Christ-centered approach to biblical interpretation that is supremely constructive–a truly evangelical account of scripture. Here his words fall like water on parched ground. We may expect the church to flourish as it reads them.”–Douglas A. Campbell, Duke University Divinity School

“Ever the sociologist, Smith forces readers to confront and account for the stubborn fact that not everyone who ascribes supreme authority to ”what the Bible says” hears God saying the same thing. Even those, like me, who are not persuaded by his ”truly evangelical” alternative will benefit from this strong dose of realism about the way in which evangelicals actually interpret and appeal to the Bible.”–Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Wheaton College Graduate School

“I do not think that biblicism has been quite as destructive as Christian Smith describes it in this book (for example, among evangelicals there is very little ”pervasive interpretive pluralism” in understanding John 20:31). Despite this reservation, I think Smith has written an extremely valuable book. Although his account of the problems besetting Biblicism is devastatingly effective, his appeal for a Christ-centered approach to scripture is wise, encouraging, and even more effective.”–Mark A. Noll, University of Notre Dame