Evangelicalism is a worldwide Protestant Christian movement that emphasizes the authority of the Bible, the importance of personal conversion (being “born again”), and evangelism or sharing the Christian message. The word “evangelical” comes from the Greek word evangelion meaning “good news,” reflecting the core belief that the gospel message Jesus Christ brings salvation or deliverance from sin. Evangelicals adhere to basic orthodox Christian doctrines but are diverse in their denominational affiliations, theological distinctives, worship styles and practices.
Core Beliefs and Characteristics
There are several key beliefs and characteristics that define evangelicalism:
Conversionism – Evangelicals emphasize the need for personal conversion and being born again through faith in Jesus Christ. This conversion experience involves repenting of sin and trusting in Christ’s death on the cross as payment for sin.
Biblicism – Evangelicals have a high view of the Bible, believing it is the inspired and inerrant Word of God and the ultimate authority for Christian faith and practice. Biblical interpretation focuses on the plain, literal meaning of the text.
Crucicentrism – Evangelicals have a clear focus on the atoning work of Christ on the cross. The gospel message centers on Christ’s death and resurrection to pay the penalty for sin and provide salvation by grace through faith.
Activism – There is strong emphasis on evangelism and preaching the gospel message. Evangelicals actively spread their faith through missions, evangelistic crusades, media broadcasting, literature distribution, and personal evangelism.
Transdenominationalism – Evangelicalism transcends denominational ties. Evangelicals can be found across various Protestant denominations that adhere to evangelical distinctives.
History and Origins
Evangelicalism emerged as a distinct movement from 1730-1740s during the series of Christian revivals known as the First Great Awakening in Britain and North America. Key figures included British preachers George Whitefield and John Wesley along with American preacher Jonathan Edwards. They emphasized personal conversion and gospel proclamation which sparked renewed zeal for evangelism.
In the late 19th century, evangelists like Dwight L. Moody and Ira Sankey promoted mass urban revivals. In the 1920s and 1930s, the rise of fundamentalism opposed liberal theology in mainline Protestant denominations. Following World War II, Billy Graham led large crusades which helped evangelicalism gain greater influence. Institutions like Christianity Today magazine (founded 1956), Fuller Theological Seminary (founded 1947), and the National Association of Evangelicals (founded 1942) provided infrastructure for the growing movement.
Denominations and Groups
Evangelicalism intersects with numerous denominations, networks and groups. Some of the main evangelical denominations include:
– Baptist – Southern Baptist Convention, American Baptist Churches USA
– Lutheran – Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
– Anglican/Episcopalian – conservative Anglican groups
– Presbyterian – Presbyterian Church in America, Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians
– Holiness groups – Church of the Nazarene, Free Methodist Church
– Pentecostal – Assemblies of God
– Non-denominational – Calvary Chapel, independent Bible churches
Prominent evangelical networks and associations include the National Association of Evangelicals, World Evangelical Alliance, Willow Creek Association, The Gospel Coalition, and Together for the Gospel. Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru), the Navigators, and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship are major evangelical campus ministries.
Worship and Practices
There is diversity in worship style among evangelicals reflecting both traditional and contemporary influences. More traditional evangelical churches feature hymns, choirs, and traditional preaching. Contemporary evangelical churches use rock music, casual atmosphere, multimedia presentations, and relevant preaching styles.
Common worship practices include expository preaching, Sunday school classes, midweek prayer meetings, baptism of believers by immersion, and Holy Communion. Some evangelical churches may feature contemporary worship, spiritual gifts of healing and prophesying, or glossolalia (speaking in tongues).
Evangelicals promote personal Bible study, small group fellowships, discipleship training classes, community service outreaches, and short-term foreign missions trips. Summer camps, conferences, rallies, and festivals are popular for evangelical training and fellowship.
Demographics
In 2015, there were an estimated 619 million evangelicals worldwide, representing a quarter of all Christians. The countries with the most evangelicals include the United States (91 million), Brazil (42 million), Nigeria (40 million), China (39 million), South Africa (19 million), Philippines (16 million), Kenya (14 million), India (45 million), and Mexico (11 million).
About 25% of Americans identified as evangelical Christians in 2019. This represented the largest U.S. religious group at over 80 million adherents. Evangelicals comprise significant minorities in other countries like Canada (10%), Australia (18%), and the United Kingdom (8.7%).
Evangelicals tend to be politically conservative on issues like abortion and same-sex marriage. In the U.S., most white evangelicals vote Republican while ethnic minorities largely vote Democratic. However, some progressive evangelicals push for more liberal social and political views.
Key Figures and Influencers
Important evangelical figures through history include 18th century preachers George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards and John Wesley who led the First Great Awakening revivals in Britain and North America. In the 19th century, Charles Finney led urban revivals during the Second Great Awakening while Dwight L. Moody and Ira Sankey promoted mass evangelism.
In the 20th century, Billy Graham (1918-2018) rose to prominence as one of the most famous evangelists worldwide leading crusades before millions. Other influential evangelical leaders included James Dobson (founder of Focus on the Family), Jerry Falwell Sr. (founder of the Moral Majority), Pat Robertson (founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network), and Rick Warren (author of the Purpose Driven paradigm).
Prominent present-day evangelical preachers and authors include John Piper, John MacArthur, Ravi Zacharias, Francis Chan, Tim Keller, Beth Moore, Joyce Meyer, Joel Osteen, and David Jeremiah. Major evangelical seminaries include Dallas Theological Seminary, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and Fuller Theological Seminary.
Evangelicalism and Culture
Evangelicals have an uneasy relationship with mainstream secular culture. On one hand, evangelicals aim to engage culture and impact it positively for Christ. On the other hand, aspects of modern secular culture like sexual liberation, materialism, and skepticism towards faith conflict with evangelical mores.
Evangelicals have been strong proponents of religious freedom and separation of church and state. But they also mobilize politically to oppose abortion, same-sex marriage, pornography, and bans on public religious expression.
Evangelical publishing houses like Zondervan, Thomas Nelson, and Tyndale produce popular Christian books, Bibles, curriculum, and music. Evangelical faith-based films and entertainment from companies like Kendrick Brothers and Pure Flix attract many viewers despite modest budgets.
Controversies and Criticisms
Evangelicals have faced controversies related to their aggressive proselytizing and exclusive salvation theology. Some portray evangelism as predatory with manipulative tactics. Critics argue claims that Jesus is the only way to salvation are narrow and intolerant.
Televangelism scandals involving fraud and immorality have brought negative attention. Some prosperity gospel preachers promise wealth and health to donors which critics dismiss as unbiblical exploitation.
Identification with far-right conservative politics has damaged evangelicals’ image for some. Support for Donald Trump despite his character flaws perplexed critics. Allegations of Republican partisanship and nationalism have tarnished evangelical credibility to engage broader society for some observers.
Coverups of sex abuse in churches and institutions have plagued evangelicals like other groups. Emphasis on hierarchical male leadership has also fostered abuse and limits women’s leadership in ways critics see as unbiblical patriarchy contrary to Galatians 3:28.
Relationships with Other Christians
Evangelicals maintain cooperative ties with other conservative Protestant groups like Baptists, Pentecostals, Holiness adherents, Reformed, and Anabaptists while differing on secondary issues like speaking in tongues, election, pacifism, and church-state relations.
Towards the Catholic Church, evangelicals hold some major doctrinal differences on issues like papal authority, veneration of Mary and the saints, purgatory, and salvation through faith alone apart from works. But they collaborate on many pro-life and family issues.
Relationships with liberal mainline Protestants are polarized. Dialogues happen through groups like the National Association of Evangelicals, but deep divides exist over the authority and interpretation of Scripture, the exclusivity of Christ, and sexuality.
Evangelicals have complicated relations with Eastern Orthodoxy. They share many core doctrines based on early church creeds but differ over Orthodox views of Mary, icons, priesthood, and the Eucharist. Evangelicals appreciate Orthodoxy’s ancient roots and liturgy but find legalism and mysticism concerning.
With non-Christian religions, evangelicals believe firmly in the uniqueness of Christ and need to evangelize non-Christians. At the same time, they increasingly partner with Jews, Catholics, and even Muslims on religious freedom and pro-family causes.
The Future of Evangelicalism
The future trajectory of evangelicalism is unclear. In the West, young adults increasingly detach from institutional religion as the “none” demographic rises. Yet evangelicalism continues growing rapidly in the non-Western world. Pentecostalism and charismatic renewal bring evangelical zeal to new regions in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
In the U.S., white evangelicalism faces an uncertain future. Political entanglement with a controversial Republican party alienates younger believers seeking a less partisan witness focused more consistently on biblical values like justice for the poor and needy. Ethnic diversity will likely expand through increasing Latino, Asian, and multi-ethnic evangelicalism.
A key challenge is retaining evangelistic and biblical passion while engaging complex new societal attitudes around gender norms, sexuality, pluralism, and mental health. Increased ecumenism, social justice, women’s leadership, and charismatic gifts point towards the ongoing evolution of the evangelical ethos. Regardless of changing cultural trappings, evangelicals will continue calling people to personal repentance and faith in Jesus according to the unchanging gospel.