Thinking about Emotions

Tony is doing it, over at the Sola Panel. He queries, "So what is the call for a more emotional Evangelicalism really asking for?" Good question. I'm one of those who found our local version of evangelicalism a bit "heartless" in the old days. So what did I want to be different? I guess I felt that emotions were often dismissed as essentially unimportant. I think I was looking for some validation of the emotional Christian life - mourn with those who mourn, rejoice with those who are glad. That was probably going on anyway in the pews, but I think I felt a disconnect with that reality and the treatment of emotions from the pulpit.

I should say I've got no complaints in this area with my current (Anglican) church. Like many people, I found Piper's *Desiring God* to be an important book. To put it crudely, he demonstrated that it was possible (perhaps obligatory) to be a "joyful Calvinist". And that "joy" included a positive emotional element, rather than being simply some sort of mental attitude. Anyway, Tony will be writing more on this subject, and I look forward to reading it...