The American Evangelical Church

Bill Hull starts his assessment of American Protestantism with a quote from de Tocqueville:

"Where you expected to find a priest, you found a politician - or a salesperson."

Hull seems to feel that the emphasis on numerical growth in your congregation, or on the increasing number of souls who have gone through a one time experience of being "saved" is one way that America's background culture affects the outlook of its pastors and teachers.

Hull goes on to give what he feels are the characteristic flaws of what he calls "the American Gospel."

• It "limits grace to the forgiveness of sin."
• It "separates justification from sanctification."
• It "teaches faith equals agreement with a set of religious facts."

He feels that American Christians feel that Discipleship, rather than being integrally bound up in their faith in Jesus Christ, is instead an option that those who have been "saved" from their sins might follow if they choose to do so.

He very much disagrees and spends his book urging a "faith that embraces discipleship."