Evangelicalism And National Identity In Ulster, 1921-1998

Controversial - it challenges particularly Paisleyism and Orangeism within terms of their own belief systems
Innovative - it offers an fresh interpretation of Paisleyism from previous theories of Bruce, Smyth, and Taylor
Provides a rounded picture of Ulster Evangelicalism by fresh or new analysis of other, unresearched or overlooked, Evangelical identities
Focuses on key contemporary themes of belonging, identity and culture
Offers an inside look at an important component of Northern Irish society which in turn provides a valuable context for understanding increasing Protestant fragmentation in the Peace Process era
Takes religion seriously as a factor in the conflict in Northern Ireland and shows how, for Evangelicals, radically differing interpretations of what the Bible says to the conflict are vital to understanding Evangelical attitudes and actions in the post-Good Friday Agreement era
Unique comparative assessment of the interaction between religion and nationalism in Northern Ireland.
Includes comments on recent events - for example, the current suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Evangelical Protestantism in Ulster is the most influential and historically significant sector of Christianity in Northern Ireland. This innovative and controversial book explores different Evangelical responses to the declining fate of Ulster Unionism during the period from Partition in 1921 to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. Focusing on how religious belief has interacted with national identity in a context of political conflict, it eschews a reductionist or purely historical approach to interpreting religion. Rather, using a combination of historical and theological material, Patrick Mitchel offers a critical assessment of how Evangelical identities in Ulster have embodied the religious beliefs and values to which they subscribe. Evangelical Protestantism is often associated only with the Orange Order and with the controversial figure of Ian Paisley. This book's fresh analysis of a spectrum of Evangelical opinion, including the frequently overlooked moderate Evangelicals, provides a more rounded picture that shows why and how Evangelical Christians in Ulster are deeply divided over politics, national identity, and the current Peace Process. Patrick Mitchel concludes with a critical assessment of the political and theological challenges facing different Evangelical identities in the context of identity conflict in Northern Ireland. This is an invaluable guide to understanding both the past and contemporary mindset of Ulster Protestantism