FUNCTIONING AS AN EVANGELICAL

'For me, the only way to be a properly functioning evangelical is to keep arguing about what it means to be an evangelical.' 

Richard J Mouw, Restless Faith, p.174. 

EVANGELICAL INDIVIDUALISM

'I noted earlier the evangelical declaration that "it is well with my soul," and insisted that this is an important and profoundly expression of Christian assurance. But it is not enough. It is a central confession, but it is a central confession; it is not a full expression of Christian assurance. The God who declares here and now that it is "well" with my soul is the same creating Lord who once looked at the whole world he had made and proclaimed, "This is good." This God wants once again to say that things are "well" with his entire creation - and he will someday do so when he announces: "Behold, I make all things new...It is done! I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end'" (Rev.21:5-6). "It is well with my soul" is only a first step, an initial fruit of God's redeeming activity. We must share in God's restless yearning for the renewal of the cosmos.' 

Richard J Mouw, When the Kings Come Marching In, p.110. 

HEAVEN

'...even when a belief in an afterlife is functioning correctly for Christians, it contains an element of "pie in the sky." There is no getting around this fact, and it should not be embarrassing for a Christian to admit it. After all, if the pie is actually in the sky, then a "pie in the sky" belief is very appropriate.' 

Richard J Mouw, When the Kings Come Marching In: Isaiah and the New Jerusalem, p.44.