Evangelicalism (United States)

Evangelicalism (United States)
Name	Evangelicalism (United States)
Main classification	Protestant
Orientation	Evangelical
Founded date	18th century
Founded place	Great Awakening, Massachusetts Bay Colony
Language	English
Area	United States

Evangelicalism (United States) Evangelicalism in the United States is a transdenominational movement within Protestantism characterized by emphasis on conversion, Biblical authority, and active evangelism. It developed through successive revivals linked to figures and events such as the First Great Awakening, the Second Great Awakening, Charles Finney, and the rise of denominations including the Southern Baptist Convention and the Evangelical Free Church of America. Evangelicalism has significant institutional presence in organizations like the National Association of Evangelicals, media such as the Christian Broadcasting Network, and political coalitions connected to the Religious Right and the Moral Majority.

History

Early roots trace to transatlantic connections among Methodism, Congregationalism, and Pietism during the First Great Awakening with leaders like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield. The Second Great Awakening promoted itinerant preaching by Charles Finney and expansion of Baptist and Methodist Episcopal Church networks across the Frontier (United States) and regions such as New England and the Burned-over district. Nineteenth-century debates over slavery and affiliation with denominations such as the Southern Baptist Convention shaped regional divides, while twentieth-century developments—fundamentalist-modernist controversies involving figures like Billy Sunday and institutions like Princeton Theological Seminary—solidified boundaries. Postwar growth involved institutions such as Fuller Theological Seminary, leaders like Billy Graham, and movements like Neo-evangelicalism that formed organizations including the National Association of Evangelicals and media empires linked to Pat Robertson. Late twentieth- and early twenty-first-century shifts saw political mobilization through the Moral Majority, Christian Coalition, and alignments with political actors in episodes including the Reagan Revolution and the 2000 United States presidential election.

Theology and Beliefs

Core doctrines emphasize conversion often called being "born again", the centrality of Jesus Christ, and the authority of the Bible as revealed in confessions and statements promoted by groups like the International Council on Biblical Inerrancy and seminaries such as Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Evangelicals adhere to evangelical Protestant distinctives such as substitutionary atonement, the importance of the crucifixion and resurrection celebrated in liturgies across congregations like the Assemblies of God and the Plymouth Brethren. Debates persist over biblical inerrancy versus more critical hermeneutics promoted in academic settings like Yale Divinity School or Harvard Divinity School, and over eschatology with adherents to premillennialism associated with influentials like Hal Lindsey and amillennial or postmillennial positions held by other leaders. Social ethics involve stances on life issues emphasized by organizations including Focus on the Family and debates on sexuality that engage institutions such as Wheaton College.

Demographics and Geographic Distribution

Evangelicals are distributed unevenly across regions: concentrations in the Bible Belt states such as Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee and significant communities in the Midwest and Rust Belt cities including Chicago and Detroit. Urban evangelical megachurches appear in metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, Houston, and Atlanta, while rural evangelical congregations persist across the Appalachian Region. Demographic studies from institutions such as the Pew Research Center and the United States Census Bureau-adjacent surveys show diversity by race with notable evangelical communities among White Americans, African Americans, Hispanic and Latino Americans, and Korean Americans. Generational shifts interact with educational institutions like Liberty University and movements connected to figures such as Rick Warren.

Institutions and Organizations

Major denominational bodies include the Southern Baptist Convention, the Assemblies of God, and the United Methodist Church (evangelical caucuses within). Umbrella organizations include the National Association of Evangelicals and the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada-adjacent US partnerships. Educational institutions range from seminaries—Fuller Theological Seminary, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School—to colleges such as Wheaton College and Liberty University. Media and parachurch organizations include the Christian Broadcasting Network, Focus on the Family, World Vision USA, and publishing houses like Thomas Nelson and B&H Publishing Group.

Political Involvement and Public Policy

Evangelical political engagement intensified with the emergence of the Religious Right and organizations such as the Moral Majority and the Christian Coalition that mobilized voters on issues like abortion and school prayer during the Reagan Revolution and subsequent political cycles. Evangelicals have influenced judicial nominations in matters reaching the United States Supreme Court and policy debates over abortion involving groups such as National Right to Life Committee and activists like Jerry Falwell Sr.. Political realignment saw alliances with the Republican Party in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, with notable intersections in elections including the 2004 United States presidential election and the 2016 United States presidential election. Intramural debates address immigration policy, criminal justice reform, and foreign policy positions regarding nations like Israel.

Culture, Media, and Education

Evangelical culture produces music, literature, and film industries with artists and producers connected to Contemporary Christian music scenes, labels such as Sparrow Records, and filmmakers linked to Pure Flix Entertainment. Broadcast networks include Trinity Broadcasting Network and the Christian Broadcasting Network, while print and digital outlets feature publications like Christianity Today founded by Billy Graham associates. Educationally, evangelical influence spans primary parachurch ministries, homeschooling movements, and higher education at colleges such as Biola University and seminaries including Dallas Theological Seminary.

Criticism, Controversies, and Internal Debates

Criticisms arise from secular scholars at institutions such as Harvard University and Princeton University over positions on science and evolution debates with proponents like the Institute for Creation Research and critics in the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Controversies include sexual misconduct scandals involving clergy in various denominations, financial transparency issues in televangelism exemplified by disputes involving figures like Jim Bakker and consequences for organizations such as PTL Club. Internal debates concern the extent of political engagement debated by leaders including Franklin Graham and theologians associated with The Gospel Coalition versus activists advocating social justice engagement as in networks tied to Sojourners and the Evangelical Environmental Network.

Category:Christian movements in the United States