If I have so far argued that Foucault is a kind of closet…
““If I have so far argued that Foucault is a kind of closet liberal and thus deeply modern, I need to be equally critical of evangelical (and especially American) Christianity's modernity and its appropriation of Enlightenment notions of the autonomous self. Indeed, many otherwise orthodox Christians, who recoil at the notion of theological liberalism, have unwittingly adopted notions of freedom and autonomy that are liberal to the core. Averse to hierarchies and control, contemporary evangelicalism thrives on autonomy: the autonomy of the nondenominational church, at a macrocosmic level, and the autonomy of the individual Christian, at the microcosmic level. And it does not seem to me that the emerging church has changed much on this score; indeed, some elements of emergent spirituality are intensifications of this affirmation of autonomy and a laissez-faire attitude with respect to institutions.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Evangelical Christianity often embraces personal autonomy, mirroring liberal ideas, despite rejecting liberal theology.
In simple terms: Evangelicals value personal freedom, echoing liberal ideas.
Key Takeaway
Recognize autonomy in faith and its broader cultural impact.
Themes
religion
politics
philosophy
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
theological
cultural
When to use this quote
- church leadership
- personal belief formation
- public policy debates
Key Concepts
autonomy
liberalism
identity
institutional critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How does autonomy shape evangelical practices?
- What tensions arise between personal freedom and institutional authority?
A Different Perspective
Autonomy can undermine communal responsibility and shared values.