Delving into meaning of 'evangelical'

"What is an evangelical?" a reader asked me recently. "You use the term frequently, but what do you mean by it?"

Interesting question … and one I have difficulty answering. My intuition knows what I mean; my brain has a more difficult time defining it.

This is especially true in today's climate. Originally "evangelical" was a theological term. Martin Luther used it to distinguish between his beliefs and those of the Roman Catholic Church, from which he eventually separated.

To Luther an "evangelical" was one who relied almost exclusively on the Scripture as the source for religious belief. He didn't trust the traditions developed by the church through the ages. Today, many Lutheran congregations continue to include the word "evangelical" in their name.

For many years, especially in America, "evangelical" identified a large group of Protestant Christians who were conservative in their theology and evangelistic in their activity.

In 20th century America, however, "evangelical" came to differentiate between fundamentalist Christians and Christians who held the same basic beliefs but were more open-minded and tolerant of those who disagreed. The Rev. Billy Graham, Dr. Carl F. H. Henry, and Fuller Theological Seminary were in the vanguard of that movement.

Through all of this "evangelical" remained a strictly religious term. Many "evangelicals" were social activists, but as a group they had little or no involvement in social or political issues.

In the latter part of the 20th century "evangelicals" began to be more involved in changing the social and political structure of American society. Alarmed at what they believed was a rapidly declining moral climate in our society, they began crusading against abortion, homosexuality, pornography, divorce, and other "family" issues.

They welcomed as partners many individuals and groups with whom they would not associate religiously, and the term "evangelical" became almost as much a political designation as a religious one.

So what is an "evangelical" today?

To get some expert advice on this, I turned to sources much better informed than me. Dr. Dale Simmons, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Judson University, pointed out that most attempts to define "evangelical" involve four key religious beliefs.

First is a high view of Scripture as the all-sufficient rule for faith and practice. Second is the majesty of Jesus Christ, who is seen not just as a moral influence or prophet but as the incarnate Son of God.

Third is the importance of personal conversion as the central criterion for salvation. Fourth is a commitment to sharing the gospel with others, not merely being a silent witness, and many expand that to include a social-action agenda.

Interestingly, sources as diverse as the Anglican Web site Covenant-Communion.com and the Web site of Wheaton College's Institute for the Study of American Evangelicals (wheaton.edu/isae) give very similar definitions, listing the same four criteria.

The media, including me, may find the term useful in dealing with our current socio-political climate, but both writers and readers need to keep in mind that "evangelical" is still a religious term and that many "evangelicals" aren't part of the particular movement to which we are referring. Some support a more liberal social agenda; still others choose to be non-political. But they're there and in greater numbers than we realize.