American evangelicalism

American evangelicalism
Jared Stump · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	American evangelicalism
Type	Protestant movement
Theology	Conservative Protestantism and fundamentalist strains
Founder	Multiple leaders including Jonathan Edwards, Charles Finney, Dwight L. Moody
Founded date	18th–20th centuries
Area	United States
Congregations	Numerous megachurches, parachurch ministries

American evangelicalism American evangelicalism is a broad transdenominational movement within Protestantism characterized by emphasis on the authority of the Bible, personal conversion or being "born again", activism, and evangelism. It encompasses figures, institutions, and movements ranging from colonial revivalists like Jonathan Edwards through 19th-century revivalists such as Charles Finney to 20th-century leaders including Billy Graham, Carl F. H. Henry, and Jerry Falwell. Evangelical networks intersect with denominations, parachurch organizations, media ministries, and political actors like Religious Right leaders and coalitions.

Definition and beliefs

Evangelicals typically affirm the inerrancy or authority of the Bible, the necessity of personal conversion, the centrality of Jesus' atoning death and resurrection, and active evangelism, reflected in institutions like The Southern Baptist Convention, Evangelical Free Church of America, Assemblies of God (USA), and movements such as the Fundamentalist–Modernist controversy. Prominent theologians and apologists—Carl F. H. Henry, John Stott, J. I. Packer, Francis Schaeffer—shaped doctrines including substitutionary atonement and premillennial eschatology affiliated with publications like Christianity Today and seminaries like Fuller Theological Seminary and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Historical development

Origins trace to the Great Awakening led by Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield in the 18th century, evolving through 19th-century revivals linked to Second Great Awakening leaders Charles Finney and social movements such as abolitionism and temperance where figures like William Wilberforce (British counterpart) influenced thought. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw institutionalization via leaders Dwight L. Moody, the rise of seminaries, and the publication battles of the Fundamentalist–Modernist controversy culminating in schisms that produced modern evangelicalism and separate fundamentalism led by figures such as Carl McIntire. The mid-20th century marked consolidation under evangelists Billy Graham and theologians Carl F. H. Henry and organizations like World Vision and Youth for Christ, while the late 20th century saw political mobilization through Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority and media expansion via televangelists including Pat Robertson and Jimmy Swaggart.

Denominations and organizations

Evangelicalism spans denominations and parachurch groups: major denominational homes include Southern Baptist Convention, Assemblies of God (USA), Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's evangelical caucuses, and the United Methodist Church's evangelical conferences. Parachurch organizations include Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru), InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Promise Keepers, Focus on the Family, and mission agencies like International Mission Board and World Vision. Media and educational institutions such as Christianity Today, Truett Seminary, Moody Bible Institute, and evangelical presses like Baker Publishing Group form national infrastructures alongside networks like National Association of Evangelicals and advocacy groups such as Family Research Council.

Demographics and geographic distribution

Evangelicals are concentrated in the Bible Belt across states like Texas, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, with significant communities in metropolitan areas including Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, Atlanta metropolitan area, and Charlotte metropolitan area. Demographically, adherents range across ethnicities—white evangelicals, African American evangelicals linked to historically black denominations, Hispanic evangelicals connected to immigrant congregations, and Asian American evangelical churches—with institutions like National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference influencing outreach. Surveys by organizations such as Pew Research Center and Gallup track affiliation, age, education, and political correlations.

Cultural and political influence

Evangelicals have shaped cultural life via broadcasting networks like Trinity Broadcasting Network and celebrities connected to ministries, influenced public policy through coalitions such as the Moral Majority and Christian Coalition of America, and participated in electoral politics through figures including Mike Pence, Sarah Palin, and movements supporting candidates like Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump. Evangelical colleges and seminaries, megachurches led by pastors like Rick Warren and Joel Osteen, and publishing houses affect higher education and popular culture, while alliances with conservative think tanks and advocacy groups engage debates on issues before institutions like the United States Supreme Court and state legislatures.

Social and ethical positions

Evangelical positions commonly include opposition to abortion endorsed by organizations like National Right to Life Committee and support for religious liberty claims advanced through groups such as the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty in cases involving employers and educational institutions. Many evangelicals endorse traditional marriage, informed by leaders and denominations such as Focus on the Family and the Roman Catholic Church as interlocutor on some cultural issues, while others engage in social justice work through charities like Samaritan's Purse and The Salvation Army. Disagreements exist within the movement on climate policy, science education debates involving Intelligent design, and approaches to criminal justice reform promoted by advocacy networks.

Criticisms and controversies

Critics point to evangelical involvement in partisan politics exemplified by the Moral Majority and the Christian Coalition of America, scandals involving televangelists like Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart, and internal conflicts over issues of race highlighted by responses to events such as the Civil Rights Movement and public controversies surrounding leaders. Debates over theological authority have produced splits noted in court cases and denominational realignments such as within the Episcopal Church and United Methodist Church. Allegations of abuse, financial misconduct, and accountability failures have affected organizations including some megachurches and missions agencies, prompting calls for reform from scholars at institutions like Fuller Theological Seminary and watchdog groups.

Category:Protestantism in the United States