Evangelicals, evolution, and inerrancy: a comparative study of congregational boundary work
A number of evangelical Christian denominations and networks uphold a specific doctrine of Scripture, stating that the Bible is the ‘inerrant’ word of God. Those who adhere to biblical inerrancy tend to reject literary interpretations of the creation accounts in the Bible and therefore to reject evo...
| Published in: | Journal of contemporary religion |
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| Authors: | ; |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Carfax Publ.
2021
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| In: |
Journal of contemporary religion
Year: 2021, Volume: 36, Issue: 2, Pages: 199-221 |
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
USA
/ Evangelical movement
/ Great Britain
/ Bible
/ Inerrancy
/ Creation theology
/ Theory of evolution
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| RelBib Classification: | AB Philosophy of religion; criticism of religion; atheism HA Bible KBF British Isles KBQ North America KDG Free church NBD Doctrine of Creation |
| Further subjects: | B
Ken Ham
B Richard Dawkins B Intelligent design B Creationism B Inerrancy B Evangelical B boundary work |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Summary: | A number of evangelical Christian denominations and networks uphold a specific doctrine of Scripture, stating that the Bible is the ‘inerrant’ word of God. Those who adhere to biblical inerrancy tend to reject literary interpretations of the creation accounts in the Bible and therefore to reject evolutionary theory. Indeed, evolution rejection frequently functions as a key boundary for biblical inerrantists that must be strictly maintained. In this comparative study, we analyse interview data and other materials to uncover the mechanisms by which evolution rejection as a boundary is strengthened, maintained or weakened within two evangelical church congregations that adhere to biblical inerrancy: one in London, UK, the other in Texas, US. We find significant differences in boundary work between the two congregations and consider how the interplay of three factors—1) orientation of the congregation (internal or external), 2) religious context (minority or majority), 3) boundary salience—may lead to boundary strengthening or weakening. |
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| ISSN: | 1469-9419 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal of contemporary religion
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1080/13537903.2021.1945752 |