Every Leaf, Line, and Letter

“Evangelicals have always been people of ‘the book.’ Regardless of their levels of literacy, they have loved and tried to live by the contents of the Bible. Some have done so as highly learned theological exegetes. Most have been more simple hearers and doers of the Word. But no matter their ethnicity, race, gender, or social class, they have done their best, when at their best, to honor every ‘leaf, line, and letter’ of the Scriptures. This all-star cast of first-rate scholars and associates of David Bebbington, one of the most important evangelical scholars of our age, has compiled the best collection of short essays ever written on the diversity of evangelical uses of the Bible. This book is a must-read for serious students of evangelicalism, their study of the Scriptures, and the historiographical legacies of Bebbington himself.”

“Those readers, whether friendly or hostile to evangelicals, who imagine that there is one standard ‘evangelical’ approach to the Bible will receive a salutary surprise from this volume of essays. Each piece is of high scholarly level, marking an advance in its own area; together they demonstrate that the relation of evangelicals to the Bible has always been relative to history, geography, politics, and culture, and that this contextual shaping of the evangelical mind is especially true of the new generation of evangelicals in the Global South. Yet the reader is enabled to recognize an evangelical identity in all the diversity and is left with a greater understanding of how, for evangelicals, this stems from a confidence that the biblical text has the capacity to transform human lives. The book is itself an outstanding example of a new era of evangelical scholarship and demands to be taken into account henceforth by all who presume to write about ‘evangelicals,’ an achievement which is due in no small measure to its skillful compilation by Timothy Larsen.”

“In Every Leaf, Line, and Letter, an all-star list of contributors offers fresh insight into how evangelicals across time, space, and cultures share an emphasis on Scripture and yet interpret the Bible in a rich variety of ways. This volume is a feast that will tantalize and satisfy all sorts of readers, from the casual browser to the rigorous scholar. A welcome addition to every library of evangelical studies.”

“It’s not exactly true that this book explores Every Leaf, Line, and Letter of the Bible, as if such a project were even possible in a single volume. But the dozen contributions still offer a dazzling range of acute and informative studies of evangelical uses of Scripture over the past three centuries, all rooted in exemplary scholarship. Global and transnational themes are very well covered, and the authors show admirable concern with perennial themes of race and empire, of gender and social justice. The resulting book is both valuable and provocative.”

“One could hardly ask for a more interesting and comprehensive set of essays on the role of the Bible in evangelical life. It is a historical anthology that ‘gets into the weeds’ without getting lost—meaning each essay prompts one to think about contemporary biblical issues that evangelicals wrestle with today.”

“At a moment when talk about evangelicalism tends to veer wildly from vituperation to pious reassurance to aggressive counterattack, this splendid collection of essays is good medicine. Both in the range of subjects considered and the quality of the scholars represented, it provides an indispensable survey.”

“In Every Leaf, Line, and Letter, Tim Larsen and his colleagues offer a must-read for all evangelicals concerned with the role the Bible plays in the cultivation of faith. The historical sweep they construct is impressive, granting context for why our better angels find in the Bible immeasurable inspiration while our lesser demons wield it as a sword of division. Their work is an appropriate tribute to David Bebbington and what is arguably the most contentious corner of his widely cited quadrilateral. Professors, pastors, and laypersons alike will find great value in letting these essays sit with them, reflecting on how the Bible calls us to a life worthy of being Christ’s body.”