We also have a chapter that discusses indepth what’s distinctive about the evangelical ‘subculture’ in N. Ireland. …

You are right, there could be some interesting parallels and points of contrast with other expressions of Christianity and even other religions. The most likely points of similiarity, I would think, would be in the sociological processes that people experience – rather than in the substantive religious ideas that people talk about.

The formation of the evangelical Christian experience into six “journeys” is very interesting. Based on cumulative results of the interviews, no one will exactly fit into one of the “boxes”, but then academia is all about trying to define the previously undefined.

How have you and Dr Mitchell defined “Evangelical”? I would go for “a person accepting the Bible as the prime object of spiritual authority”. One could add “…and affirming the doctrine of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth”. Is yours and Claire Mitchell’s definition significantly different? Any other offers?

I wonder if the six journeys you have constructed would translate to other Christian or Christian-based communities? Roman Catholics, Pentecostalists, Anglicans, are some possibilities. Without having seen the full initial results, my own estimate would be that the “journeys” may have to be redefined, with new ones adding to or replacing the six presented above. Among other communities, spiritual authority may pivot around different phenomena and objects. Sometimes, the preferred source(s) of authority differ within the respective groups as well. The result is that the religious life may be experienced, articulated and interpreted in different ways to an Evangelical Christian.

On the other hand, I imagine some surprising parallels occuring between the experiences of Evangelicals and other believers.