Probably the best definition of the term "evangelicalism" is given by J. I. Packer, who says:
Evangelicalism, viewed substantially, may be difined as that version of Christianity which affirms the salvation of sinners by grace alone in Christ alone through faith alone, as against any thought of salvation by effort and merit on the one hand or by the working of ecclesiastical mechanism, institutional and sacramental, on the other. But evangelicalism, viewed methodologically, must be defined as that version of Christianity which determines its teaching, attitudes, worship style, and practical priorities by expounding and applying Holy Scripture, which it receives as authoritative instruction from God the Creator, the God who speaks. The Reformed Christianity to which John Calvin gave definitive shape is, I judge, evangelicalism in its purest form, and it is the way of Reformed Christianity constantly to call for reformation of the church and its heritage, even its own Reformed heritage, by "God's Word written" (as Article Twenty of the Anglican Thirty-nine, my own church's confession, calls the Bible). /p>
Probably the most comprehensive exposition of Evangelicalism is to be found in The Lausanne Covenant, a 95-page document produced by The Lausanne Movement. This, having said, defining evangelicalism is not straight forwards (for which see Samuel Crossley's excellent article in links below).
Whatever their other differences, evangelicals accept the Bible as the final source of authority in all matters of life and faith. Though, historically speaking, evangelicals trace their roots to Jesus and the apostles, the term 'evangelical' gained wide use during the 16th Cent Reformation to describe the theological outlook of the reformers over against that of the Church of Rome. The popular usage of the term in modern times can be traced to the response to the rise and influence of Liberal Theology in the West in the 19th Cent.
As a description of a fierce disposition towards truth and the rule of God both in the believer's life both in person and in society, the adjective should be a badge of pride and honour. The term, however, is beginning to see a decay in this great gift, especially in north America, where evangelical's intimate involvement in, and close association with, one particular party (the Republicans) and in their pro-Zionist outlook, have led them into some of the most shamefully abusive and hypocritical decisions and actions we have seen since the Reformers reacted against the hypocricy of the Roman papacy in the 16th Cent. It is telling that, according to a number of surveys, as many as one in four evangelical believes in the atrociously mindless QAon Conspiracy N. While it hoped it is only a case of a temporary lapse in discernment, the fact that one of the most well-known North American evanglical systematic theologians can come out in public to suggest (though he later retracted it) that Donald Trump made a suitable presidential candidate is extremely worrisome. In that American evangelicals is so endowed with resources to spread its influence in churches everywhere, this is doubly worrisome. If you claim to be an evangelical, take time off to reflect on where your stand and its implication for the church of which you are a shepherd.
Note: The adjective 'evangelical' is easily confused with the other adjective formed from the same root 'evangelistic.' Even someone as intelligent and intellectually sharp like author Tom Holland (the historian, not the theologian) can get it wrong; he, e.g., speaks of Richard Dawkins being "the world's most evangelical atheist" (Dominion, xxvi). An "evangelical atheist," as would be apparent from the about is a contradiction in terms. What Holland really wanted to say was "the world's most evangelistic atheist," i.e., he is passionate to share the cause of, and to win disciples to, atheism. Heaven and the entire church will definitely resound in waves after waves of rejoicing if Dawkins is to become an "evangelical," having left behind his atheistic past.
Further Reading:
Alister McGrath, Evangelicalism and the Future of Christianity. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1993.
Brian Stanley, The Global Diffusion of Evangelicalism: The Age of Billy Graham and John Stott. Nottingham: Inter-Varsity Press, 2013.
Derek J. Tidball, Who are the Evangelicals? Tracing the Roots of Today's Movements. London: Marshall Pickering, 1994.
George M. Marsden, Understanding Fundamentalism and Evangelicalism. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991.
Alister Chapman, Godly Ambition: John Stott and the Evangelical Movement. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011.
Media Resources:
Time Keller. The following addresses were delivered at the Evangelical Ministry Assembly, 2007.
"What is an evangelical?" (Open on Phone)
What are the risks? (Open on Phone)
What is an evangelical ministry? (Open on Phone)
Proclamation Trust, UK. About 50 mins each. Audio N
Print Resources:
Bruce Ware, Systematic Theology I. Lecture 6: Liberalism, Neo-orthodoxy, Evangelicalism. BiblicalLearning.org.
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Stephen R. Holmes, "Evangelical Doctrine: Basis for Unity or Cause for Division?," SBET 30.1 (2012): .br> N (Open on Phone)
Samuel Crossley, "Recent Developments in the Definition of Evangelicalism," Foundations 70 (2016): 112-133.
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