THE CREATIVE EDGE OF AMERICAN PROTESTANTISM

The author introduces this study with the somewhat optimistic opinion that the Protestant churches are about to break out of their cultural ghetto by becoming aware of the social issues of our society and by ""showing a gratifying readiness to move into the center of social change."" But he concludes with the judgment that the Protestant social outlook is only now beginning to adjust to new conditions, and that the future position of Protestantism is neither stable nor assured. Between opening optimism and concluding uncertainty, he examines a wide range of contemporary issues and the position of the Protestant churches with respect to them. His method is to summarize, first, the historical development of the present situation and the churches' responses to social questions at various stages of this evolution. He then reviews some of the ways in which the churches have attempted to become involved in the movements that seek to deal with such social causes as church-state relations, political crusades, world politics, religion and the schools, urbanization, and race. The argument is well-informed and the organization of materials orderly. It is not always possible to detect whether the author is reporting what took or is taking place, or exhorting the churches as to what they ought to be doing. The book will provide helpful and interesting reading to readers who wish to be better informed about the course of Protestant social concern in the past, and the issues now confronting the churches today.