Evangelicalism

The word evangelicalism usually refers to a traditional tendency in diverse branches of Protestantism, typified by an emphasis on evangelism, a personal experience of conversion, biblically-oriented faith, and a belief in the relevance of Christian faith to cultural issues. In the late 20th century and early 21st century, Protestant people, churches and social movements were often called evangelical in contrast to Protestant liberalism.

Related Topics:
Protestantism - Evangelism - Biblically-oriented - 20th century - 21st century - Protestant liberalism

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The term 'evangelical', in a lexical, but less-commonly-used sense, refers to anything implied in the belief that Jesus is the savior. The word comes from the Greek word for 'Gospel' or 'good news': ευαγγελιον evangelion. To be evangelical would then mean to be merely Christian, that is, founded upon, motivated by, acting in agreement with the good news message of the New Testament.

Related Topics:
Jesus - Greek - Gospel - Christian

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In Western cultural usage, Evangelical has usually referred to Protestantism, in intended contrast to Roman Catholicism. At different times, the name has developed nuances according to the controversies of the age:

Related Topics:
Protestantism - Roman Catholicism

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• In Europe since the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century, Lutheran churches have been called Evangelical churches, in contradistinction to the Reformed churches of Huldrych Zwingli, John Calvin, and their associates.
• In the 17th century and onward, the Puritan party in the Church of England who sought to identify that church with the Reformed movement of the Reformation, who later withdrew from that Communion and became known by the derogatory names of "Non-Conformists" and "Dissenters", were also called the evangelical party.
• In the 18th century, the Wesleyan revival within the Church of England influenced the formation of a party of pietistic Anglicans, whose descendant movement is still called the "Evangelical party".
• In North American experience, particularly the United States of America, in the Great Awakenings, the term distinguished the supporters of revivalism. As compared to those who emphasized conversion as a prolonged process, and a result of Christian nurture, evangelicals looked for a single experience to mark the starting point of the Christian life.

The earliest meanings continue to be current, depending on the context. In the name, Evangelical Orthodox Church, for example, the word in the title of this Old Catholic group simply means "Christian". The Union of Evangelical Churches is Germany's national Protestant church, formed by the state-mandated union of Lutheran and Reformed churches. Similarly several churches have Evangelical in their title, meaning evangelical in the sense of "Protestant", but not necessarily part of the modern evangelical movement per se. For most of Protestant history the term 'evangelical' for a self-description has been used by both, modernists and fundamentalists. However, in common contemporary parlance, the name has been all but relinquished to the "moderates", rather than liberals or fundamentalists.

Related Topics:
Evangelical Orthodox Church - Old Catholic - Union of Evangelical Churches - Modernists

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Evangelicalism: Roots ►