Evangelical Christianity is one of the most formative and least acknowledged movements in Australian history. This book restores evangelicals to their place as a dynamic element in the dialogue between Christianity and general Australian society. Evangelicalism focuses on the Gospel, the God-given means not only of the salvation of individual souls, but also of the renovation of society and culture. In this novel and well-sustained study, Stuart Piggin argues that evangelicalism is strongest when it synthesises Biblical orthodoxy with spiritual passion and human compassion. When this synthesis was achieved, it resulted in spiritual vitality and the strengthening of Australian nationhood. Piggin draws on a wealth of personal accounts and out-of-the-way sources to shed light on matters as disparate as the character of the Reverend Samuel Marsden, the 'sinless perfection' movement among students at the University of Sydney in the 1930s, the Billy Graham Crusades, and theAnglican debate on the ordination of women. By analysing the experience and contribution of the evangelical movement, this book challenges readers to rethink their national history.