Evangelicalism (protestantism)

Evangelicalism (protestantism)
Name	Evangelicalism (protestantism)
Main classification	Protestantism
Orientation	Evangelical
Scriptures	Bible
Theology	Reformed theology, Arminianism
Founder	Multiple leaders
Founded date	18th century (revivals)
Founded place	Great Awakening
Area	Global

Evangelicalism (protestantism) is a transdenominational movement within Protestantism emphasizing biblical authority, personal conversion, evangelism, and the atoning work of Jesus; it spans diverse denominations and institutions. Originating in the revival movements of the 18th century, it has influenced religious life, politics, and culture across North America, Europe, Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Prominent figures, organizations, and events have shaped its theology and public posture over three centuries.

Definition and Beliefs

Evangelical belief centers on the primacy of the Bible as authoritative, the necessity of personal conversion or being "born again" (as in the ministry of John Wesley and George Whitefield), the centrality of Christ's atoning death and resurrection (reflected in debates such as Atonement theology), and active evangelism exemplified by missionaries like William Carey, Adoniram Judson, and Hudson Taylor. Doctrinally evangelicals derive from streams such as Calvinism (linked to John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards) and Arminianism (linked to Jacob Arminius, Charles Finney), producing diverse views on predestination and free will. Key practices include personal Bible study (as promoted by Bible societies), public preaching (as in the ministries of D. L. Moody, Billy Graham, Charles Spurgeon), and charismatic gifts in movements connected to Pentecostalism and the Charismatic movement.

History and Origins

Evangelicalism arose from the 18th-century revivals of the Great Awakening in British America and the Evangelical Revival in Great Britain, influenced by preachers like George Whitefield, John Wesley, Jonathan Edwards, and lay organizers such as Count Nicolaus Zinzendorf. The 19th century saw expansion through missionary societies (for example, the London Missionary Society, American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions) and institutional growth via seminaries like Princeton Theological Seminary and Fuller Theological Seminary, and denominational figures such as Alexander Campbell and Lyman Beecher. The 20th century featured renewal and reaction: the rise of fundamentalism (associated with the Fundamentalist–Modernist controversy and figures such as J. Gresham Machen), evangelical resurgence influenced by leaders like Billy Graham, organizational networks including the National Association of Evangelicals and international forums such as the Lausanne Congress, and the interplay with movements like Pentecostalism and the neo-evangelical cohort.

Global Distribution and Demographics

Evangelicals are numerically significant in regions shaped by missionary activity and revival: large populations appear in United States, Brazil, Nigeria, China, South Korea, Philippines, India, United Kingdom, and Kenya. Demographic studies cite growth in sub-Saharan Africa linked to indigenous leaders (for example, Samuel Ajayi Crowther, E. A. Adeboye), expansion in Latin America shaped by figures like T. B. Maston and denominational networks such as the Assembleias de Deus, and rapid conversions in parts of East Asia involving organizations like the China Inland Mission. Institutional centers include churches such as Hillsong Church, Redeemer Presbyterian Church (New York City), and missionary organizations including SIM and Wycliffe Bible Translators. Socio-demographic profiles vary: in United States evangelical identity intersects with regions such as the Bible Belt and urban megachurch trends associated with pastors like Joel Osteen and Rick Warren.

Denominations and Movements

Evangelicalism is present across denominations: Baptist bodies (including the Southern Baptist Convention), Methodist traditions influenced by John Wesley, Presbyterian branches with evangelical synods, Anglican and Episcopal evangelical societies (such as the Church Missionary Society), and non-denominational networks including Calvary Chapel and Willow Creek Community Church. Movements within evangelicalism include Fundamentalism, Neo-Evangelicalism, Pietism linkages, the Holiness movement, Charismatic movement, and parachurch organizations like Youth for Christ, Campus Crusade for Christ (now Cru), and The Navigators. Academic and publishing institutions—Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, InterVarsity Press—have shaped theological contours and public outreach.

Worship, Practices, and Institutions

Evangelical worship ranges from liturgical expressions in evangelical Anglicanism to contemporary services in megachurches exemplified by Saddleback Church and Hillsong Church, featuring preaching in the tradition of Charles Spurgeon and musical styles influenced by contemporary Christian music artists such as Hillsong United and institutions like Christian Broadcasting Network. Education and formation occur in seminaries (e.g., Gordon-Conwell), Bible colleges, and parachurch ministries including Navigators and YWAM; missionary sending involves organizations like Operation Mobilisation and OMF International. Media and publishing—newspapers, radio ministries of A. W. Tozer-era figures, television ministries such as TBN, and authors like Timothy Keller—play major roles alongside schools, hospitals, and charitable arms associated with institutions such as World Vision and Compassion International.

Political and Social Influence

Evangelicals have exerted visible political and social influence, especially in United States public life through coalitions like the Religious Right, activism around issues addressed in landmarks such as the Roe v. Wade debate, and engagement with parties and leaders at national levels. Globally, evangelical actors have influenced social movements in South Africa during the era of Apartheid (involving leaders like Desmond Tutu in broader Christian engagement), public policy in Brazil with politicians linked to evangelical caucuses, and civil society initiatives in Nigeria and Kenya. Debates over biblical interpretation, science (including controversies around evolution and creationism), and social ethics have unfolded in arenas such as university faculties, court cases, and international conferences like the Lausanne Congress.

Category:Christian movements