Definitions of the Christian term "evangelical"

Differences between Europe and North America

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

Voice of America (VOA) writes:

"Church attendance in Europe has been steadily decreasing in recent decades. Traditional Protestant and Roman Catholic churches have a hard time drawing in new members, particularly young people. But Evangelical churches are booming across the region, particularly those attended by immigrants from Africa, Asia, and Latin America."

Luc Perrin, a member of the French evangelical group Impact Christian Center stated that some French people fear evangelical churches, particularly immigrant congregations.

VOA writes:

Some are concerned about the growth of scam "prosperity churches" that prey on poorer people. ... Some Evangelical churches also complain that it is hard to get permits to construct new worship centers. Others have had run-ins with local officials." ₁₂

During the Protestant 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:

• Conversionism: the belief that lives of all humans need to be changed by way of a "born again" decision to repent of their sins and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.
• Activism: the expression of the gospel in various ways, including missionary outreach and social reform.
• Biblicism: a particular regard for the Bible as the Word of God and the ultimate authority for religious belief and morality.
• Crucicentrism: a stress on the substitutionary atonement by Christ on the cross. _13,14

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.

References used:

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

1. "Evangelical Churches Flourishing in Europe ," Voice of America, 2006-JUL-24, at: http://www.voanews.com/
2. Mentioned in Larry Eskridge, "Defining evangelicalism," Wheaton College, at: http://www.wheaton.edu/
3. Dave Stewart, review of Donald Lewis, "Blackwell Dictionary of evangelical Biography, 1730-1860, 2 V," Blackwell Pub, (1995).
4. 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/

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Copyright © 2003 to 2008 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally written: 2003-APR-8
Latest update: 2008-SEP-20
Author: B.A. Robinson

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