Evangelicalism

Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement that emphasizes personal conversion through faith in Jesus Christ, the authority of the Bible, and the importance of sharing the Christian gospel with others. Emerging in the 18th century during the Great Awakening, evangelicalism has become one of the most influential forms of Christianity worldwide, particularly in the United States where it represents roughly 25% of the population.

The movement is defined by four core characteristics known as the "Bebbington quadrilateral": conversionism (the belief that lives need to be transformed through being "born again"), activism (the expression of the gospel in effort), biblicism (a particular regard for the Bible), and crucicentrism (a stress on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross). These principles distinguish evangelicals from other Protestant denominations and have shaped their approach to faith, worship, and social engagement.

Historical Origins

Evangelicalism emerged during the First Great Awakening in the 1730s and 1740s, a period of religious revival that swept through Britain and the American colonies. Key figures included George Whitefield, an Anglican preacher known for his dramatic outdoor sermons, and Jonathan Edwards, whose theological writings and revival leadership in New England helped establish evangelical thought.

The movement gained momentum through the work of John Wesley, founder of Methodism, who emphasized personal holiness and the possibility of Christian perfection. Wesley's emphasis on emotional religious experience and individual relationship with God became hallmarks of evangelical practice. The Second Great Awakening in the early 19th century further expanded evangelical influence, particularly through camp meetings and frontier revivals.

In Britain, evangelicalism influenced the Clapham Sect, a group of Anglican evangelicals who campaigned for social reforms including the abolition of slavery. This demonstrated evangelicalism's capacity for both personal piety and social activism, a tension that would characterize the movement throughout its history.

Core Beliefs and Practices

Evangelical theology centers on salvation by grace through faith alone, rejecting the idea that good works or religious rituals can earn salvation. This doctrine, inherited from the Protestant Reformation, emphasizes that salvation is a free gift from God received through personal faith in Jesus Christ's atoning death and resurrection.

Biblical authority represents another cornerstone of evangelical belief. Evangelicals typically hold to biblical inerrancy or infallibility, viewing Scripture as the ultimate authority for faith and practice. This has led to distinctive approaches to biblical interpretation, often emphasizing literal readings of biblical texts and the importance of personal Bible study.

The concept of being "born again" is central to evangelical identity. This refers to a personal conversion experience where an individual consciously accepts Jesus Christ as their personal savior. Many evangelicals can point to a specific moment or period when this transformation occurred, though others describe it as a gradual process.

Evangelism—actively sharing the Christian message with others—is considered a fundamental Christian duty. This has led to extensive missionary activities, both domestic and international, and the development of sophisticated methods for communicating the gospel message through media, literature, and personal witness.

Denominational Diversity

Evangelicalism is not a single denomination but rather a movement that spans multiple Protestant churches. Major evangelical denominations include the Southern Baptist Convention, the Assemblies of God, the Presbyterian Church in America, and various Pentecostal and charismatic churches.

The National Association of Evangelicals, founded in 1942, serves as an umbrella organization for evangelical denominations and organizations in the United States. Similar bodies exist in other countries, reflecting evangelicalism's global reach.

Pentecostalism and the charismatic movement represent significant streams within evangelicalism, emphasizing the gifts of the Holy Spirit including speaking in tongues, divine healing, and prophecy. These movements have experienced explosive growth, particularly in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

Political and Social Influence

In the United States, evangelicalism has become closely associated with conservative politics, particularly since the 1970s. The Moral Majority, founded by Jerry Falwell in 1979, mobilized evangelical voters around issues such as abortion, school prayer, and traditional family values. This political engagement has made evangelicals a crucial voting bloc in American elections.

However, evangelical political engagement varies significantly across different contexts and generations. While American evangelicals tend to vote Republican, evangelicals in other countries may align with different political movements. Younger evangelicals have shown increasing concern for issues like climate change, social justice, and poverty, sometimes creating tension with older evangelical political priorities.

Evangelicals have historically been involved in social reform movements, from 19th-century abolitionism to contemporary efforts to combat human trafficking. This reflects the movement's emphasis on putting faith into action, though debates continue about which social issues should receive priority.

Global Expansion

Evangelicalism has experienced remarkable global growth, particularly in the Global South. Countries like Brazil, South Korea, Nigeria, and Guatemala have large evangelical populations that continue to expand rapidly. This growth has shifted the center of gravity of world Christianity away from Europe and North America.

Missionary activity has been a primary driver of this expansion. Organizations like the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, World Vision, and Samaritan's Purse have established global networks for evangelism and humanitarian aid. Indigenous evangelical movements have also emerged, often adapting evangelical principles to local cultural contexts.

The growth of evangelicalism in developing countries has often coincided with economic development and urbanization, as evangelical churches provide social networks and support systems for people navigating social change.

Contemporary Challenges

Modern evangelicalism faces several significant challenges. Theological diversity within the movement has led to debates over issues like biblical interpretation, the role of women in ministry, and approaches to social issues. The emerging church movement has questioned traditional evangelical assumptions about worship, theology, and cultural engagement.

Scandals involving prominent evangelical leaders have damaged the movement's reputation and credibility. High-profile cases of financial impropriety, sexual misconduct, and political hypocrisy have led to soul-searching within evangelical communities about leadership accountability and institutional integrity.

The relationship between evangelicalism and science, particularly regarding evolution and climate change, remains contentious. While some evangelicals embrace scientific consensus, others maintain positions that put them at odds with mainstream scientific opinion.

Generational differences are creating internal tensions, as younger evangelicals often hold different views on social issues, political engagement, and cultural participation than their predecessors. This has led to discussions about the future direction of the movement.

Related Topics

• Protestant Reformation
• Great Awakening
• Pentecostalism
• Biblical Inerrancy
• Christian Fundamentalism
• Missionary Movement
• Religious Right
• Born Again Christianity

Summary

Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement emphasizing personal conversion, biblical authority, and active evangelism that has become a major global religious force since its 18th-century origins.