Wesley Nelson

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The August 2001 Covenant Quarterly Article by Wesley Nelson "An Introduction to Secular Evangelicalism."
Wayne C. Nelson, emeritus professor of pastoral studies at North Park Theological Seminary, celebrated his ninetieth birthday in November 2000. Wesley joined the North Park faculty in 1960 and retired in 1977. Since that time he has continued to speak and write to appreciative audiences both young and old. He has long been regarded as a creative thinker and practitioner in regard to the communication of the gospel. In a largely autobiographical article, Wesley argues that for some Christians integrity demands that they assume a position of "secular evangelicalism." While such a position exposes them to criticism by those who take a more traditional or pietistic stance, it also enables them to relate to a considerable segment of our society that has a secular worldview.

The essay touches on a variety of controversial issues. One is reminded of the introduction to a book by Orlando Costas: "There is something here to offend everyone." The character and ministry of Wesley Nelson require us to take these challenges seriously and in the spirit in which they are offered.

Responding to the article are four scholars with appropriate expertise. Robert K. Johnston, former dean of North Park Theological Seminary and currently professor of theology and culture at Fuller Theological Seminary, is a regular contributor of film reviews to The Covenant Companion. Rosalie de Rosset is professor of literature and homiletics at Moody Bible Institute and a long-time friend of Wesley. Richard Carlson, professor of ministries at North Park Theological Seminary, is trained in the area of sociology of religion. George R. Hunsberger, professor of missiology at Western Theological Seminary, is national coordinator of the Gospel and Our Culture Network. Each brings a distinctive and informed perspective to the evaluation of Wesley's thesis.

The last word belongs to Wesley, whose "Final Statement" is a response to his respondents. We trust that as our readers examine how some persons in our society live out their faith or non-faith, the discussion may prove challenging and/or comforting. Because of the nature of this journal the last published word must be that of Wesley, not of our readers.

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