Evangelicalism and the Two Pluralisms

Abstract

Evangelicalism, a primary driver of the emergence of modernity, has enormous consequences for Peter Berger’s two pluralisms. It greatly increases the salience of religion and religious difference; it tends to undermine the religious unity of society and to foster over time societies in which “many altars” coexist and compete for influence and adherents; it supports religious freedom and undermines the power of political elites in religion; and it radically challenges the status, authority, and even existence of inherited religious traditions, hierarchies, and clerical leaders. At the same time, Evangelical social activism relates much more naturally to the first pluralism than to the second. Evangelicals have few existing resources for peaceful coexistence with secularism, and a typical Evangelical would be likely to reject significant elements of Berger’s description of the so-called “secular discourse.” Evangelicals face great challenges in the modern world but also have substantial resources, and a case can be made either for optimism or pessimism about their prospects as the two pluralisms increase.