CH212: American Church History — The Great Retreat and Neo-Evangelicalism (1930s–1950s)

This episode outlines the evolution of American conservative Protestantism as it transitioned from a period of cultural isolation into a proactive movement known as Neo-Evangelicalism. Following the public setbacks of the 1920s, many believers initially entered a "Great Retreat," creating a private subculture of independent churches and Bible institutes to avoid secular influence. However, by the 1940s, visionary leaders like Carl F. H. Henry and Billy Graham began to reject this separatist mindset, arguing instead for a scholarly and socially engaged faith that could influence modern society. Through the establishment of intellectual institutions and mass-media outreach, the movement sought to maintain traditional theological roots while reclaiming a significant voice in the public square.