Combined in one volume, the fruits of these discussions are simultaneously helpful and disturbing. The contributors both summarize various evangelical perspectives and clarify key distinctions within the conservative movement. Not that the writers don't try hard to sort out the genuine believers from the mere pretenders. Their efforts to come up with a suitable array of systems to categorize the faithful are laudable, and they reflect the challenges in trying to understand the awesome and bewildering nature of the vast expanse of groups that claim refuge under the evangelical umbrella. Illustrations of the confusion abound.
Evangelicalism still seeks an identity.
Robert Webber has identified fourteen groups of evangelicals. Even if these groups hold in common a high view of Scripture, a highly structured atonement theology, a belief in a specific form of eschatological vision, etc., the views are not uniform. Contemporary black theologians do not seem much interested in the question this forum addresses. White evangelicals are the ones who seem troubled by competing varieties of evangelicalism and the accompanying identity confusion. Our rather formal endeavor is, we must admit, born of disarray primarily among white Protestants who have been elbowing each other for the right to march in the evangelical parade.