Evangelical Christianity

Definition of the term "Evangelical"
within North American Christianity

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Origin, and the usage of the term "Evangelical in Europe:"

"Evangelical" was derived from the Greek word "euangelion" which means: gospel or good news.

During the Reformation, Martin Luther referred to his movement as the evangelische kirche (evangelical church). Later, "Evangelical" became a near-synonym for "Protestant" in Europe. It retains this meaning in Germany today.

A British historian, David Bebbington, defines an "Evangelical Christian" as a person exhibiting four beliefs and behaviors:

A Community Leader of an Anglican congregation in the UK suggests:

"...that mainstream Christians in the UK seem to use 'Evangelical Christian' to describe those that meet David Bebbington's definition...and 'Christian Evangelists' to describe the more Conservative groups. Confusingly, they often describe a charismatic leader of EITHER group as a 'Christian Evangelist' or just an 'Evangelist'.

Usage of the term "Evangelical" in North America:

In North America, "Evangelical" does not have a unique meaning that is acceptable to all. Various groups and individuals define it as a specific conservative Christian system of beliefs, or a type of religious experience, or a commitment to proselytize the unsaved, or as a style of religious service, or as having a personal "walk with God," or as a group of denominations, or as a personal acceptance of a "biblical worldview," or as some combination of the above.

In a study comparing Evangelical and mainline denominations, a Princeton University study included the following as Evangelical denominations : Assemblies of God, Southern Baptists, Independent Baptists, black Protestants, African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion; Church of Christ, Churches of God in Christ, Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, National Baptist Church, National Progressive Baptist Church, Nondenominational, Pentecostal denominations, and the Presbyterian Church in America. ₁ Many theologians would also include the conservative faction within such mainline denominations as the Episcopal Church, USA, the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the United Methodist Church.

The names of a few American mainline or liberal denominations contain the word "Evangelical." These include the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCC). However, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, which as a similar name, is a very conservative Protestant group.

Some definitions; take your pick:

There are probably as many different definitions of the Christian term "Evangelical" and "Evangelicalism" as there are Evangelical Christian congregations. Various definitions that we have seen are:

Usage of "Evangelical" on this web site:

Since about 95% of our site's visitors are residents of North America, we will use the following definition:

Evangelical: "The conservative wing of Protestant Christianity comprising many denominations and other faith groups that tightly hold to historical Christian creeds, beliefs and practices." This umbrella term includes Christian Identity, Fundamentalist, Pentecostal and Reconstructionist, some Baptist, and many other faith groups, as noted above.

Most theologians recognize two other main wings of Protestantism: mainline and liberal denominations.

We realize that this definition deviates from that used by many Christians -- particularly in Europe. But, until a consensus is reached on definitions, confusion will continue.

References used:

The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today.

1. Robert Wuthnow, "Study on Religion and Politics Finds Widespread Interest in Progressive Issues: Survey Suggests Political Potential of Mainline Protestants," at: http://www.princeton.edu/
2. Merriam-Webster's collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition, Page 401.
3. Dictionary.com, at: http://dictionary.reference.com/
4. "Application for CHURCH membership," National Association of Evangelicals, http://images.mychurchesimages.com/
5. "Evangelical Christians," Barna Research Online, at: http://www.barna.org/
6. Cal Thomas, "God, Satan, and the media," 2003-MAR-5, at: http://www.townhall.com/
7. "Frequently Asked Questions," California-Nevada Annual Conference Evangelical Renewal Fellowship, at: http://www.newpathways.com/
8. G.A. Mather & L.A. Nichols, "Dictionary of cults, sects, religions and the occult," Zondervan, (1993), Page 101.
9. Jim Packer, "Fundamentalism and the Word of God"
10. Dr. Leon Morris, "What do we mean by "evangelical"? at: http://www.worldevangelical.org/
11. Kevin Reed, "What is an Evangelical?" at: http://www.swrb.com/newslett/
12. Sydney Ahlstrom, "From Puritanism to Evangelicalism: A Critical Perspective," in "The Evangelicals: What They Believe, Who They Are, Where They Are Changing," Abingdon, (1975), Pages 269 - 270, 288, Note 1.
13. Mentioned in Larry Eskridge, "Defining Evangelicalism," Wheaton College, at: http://www.wheaton.edu/
14. Dave Stewart, review of Donald Lewis, "Blackwell Dictionary of Evangelical Biography, 1730-1860, 2 V," Blackwell Pub, (1995).
15. Tim & Sandy Kruse, "What is an Evangelical Catholic?" at: http://www.evangelicalcatholic.com/
16. "Evangelical," WordReference, at: http://www.wordreference.com/