ome scholars with roots in more traditional churches caution against overstating the importance of liberal religion. The recent work on the subject is \u201ca nice rebalancing of the historiographical ledgers,\u201d\u009d said Mark Noll, a historian of religion at Notre Dame and a prominent evangelical intellectual. But for a tradition to have any continuing influence, he added, it needs committed bodies in the pews.<\/p>\n
That point is seconded by Ms. Coffman, who worked as an editor at Christianity Today before entering academia. She currently teaches at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, a Presbyterian institution where pastors in training, she said, are less likely to be savoring their broad cultural victories than debating which elements of evangelical worship they should adopt to attract a viable congregation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI teach at a mainline seminary, and we do not feel very triumphal,\u201d\u009d Ms. Coffman said.<\/p>\n