From Rapture to Revelation: Addressing the Spiritual and Theological Concerns of Former Fundamentalists in the United States of America

Ever since the September 11 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City there has been a renewed interest in the area of Islamic fundamentalism. Consequently the interest in Christian fundamentalism has shifted into the background whereas it had been a chief concern of a number of authors since the 1970s. In 1993 the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU) conducted a multilateral dialogue addressing the worldwide phenomena of Christian fundamentalism and they eventually published a report on their findings entitled Christian Fundamentalism Today: The Papers and Findings of the WARC LWF PCPU Consultation 22-26 February 1993 (ed. H.S. Wilson Geneva: World Alliance of Reformed Churches 1994). While such writings serve to inform the reader on the issue of Christian fundamentalism they offer no practical steps on how ecumenically minded Christians can more effectively address the spiritual and theological concerns of those who are seeking refuge from the fundamentalist worldview especially within the context of the United States. This work will focus on the problem of how ecumenically minded Christians could more effectively address the spiritual and theological concerns of former fundamentalists in the United States especially when dealing with the difficult theological topics of biblical inerrancy and eschatology. Since evangelicals closely resemble fundamentalists in doctrine and practice the author will approach this task by conducting a textual analysis of the documents that came out of some of the official bilateral dialogues between evangelical and non-evangelical groups in hopes that the results of these documents will offer some clues as to how to improve relations between former fundamentalists and ecumenically minded Christians especially when it comes to dealing with the aforementioned theological issues. In From Rapture to Revelation Michelle Lyerly traces the rise of Americas new passion for fundamentalism notes its alienating power and offers a pathway toward reconciliation in the future. She speaks with the authenticity of one who has walked the path she is describing from the religious wounds of her evangelical upbringing to her vision of an ecumenical future. --John Shelby Spong Columnist Waterfront Media Grace Lyerly in confronting her own fundamentalist past has performed a service to the worldwide church by investigating practical steps that ecumenically minded Christians can take to address the spiritual emotional and theological concerns of others seeking to recover from such a fundamentalist worldview. In the process she offers not just ways in which the healing of individuals can be effected but offers a breathtaking vision of former fundamentalists acting as mediators between their former and current denominations. It is recommended reading for all interested in promoting reconciliation in the body of Christ. --Henry Sturcke Reformed pastor and adjunct instructor at the University of Zurich Michelle Grace Lyerly received her Master of Arts degree from Lexington Theological Seminary a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) seminary in Lexington Kentucky in 2004. Shortly thereafter she studied at the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Institute at Bossey and received a Master of Ecumenical Studies from the University of Geneva in 2005. Her sincere prayer is that all Christians both of the liberal and conservative persuasions will fully realize the unity they already share in Christ and those who have had painful experiences in the church will come to know the unconditional love of God in their lives.