Understanding the Meaning of the Word “Evangelical”

I see that Focus on the Family identifies as an evangelical Christian organization. Some of my friends and neighbors — especially those who consider themselves to be educated, sophisticated, and liberal-minded — use the term in a negative sense. Most journalists don’t seem to consider it a compliment, either. I’m a Christian, but I’m not sure whether I want to be labeled as evangelical. What exactly does this word mean to you?

Generally speaking, evangelicalism is a wide-reaching definitional umbrella that covers diverse Protestant traditions, denominations, organizations, and churches. It’s derived from the Greek word evangelium, which means Good News or Gospel.

How the word “evangelical” developed over the centuries

During the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther used the term evangelische kirche (“evangelical church”) to express the idea that his breakaway movement was an attempt to recapture the authentic Christianity of Jesus and the apostles, as represented in the Gospels and other New Testament texts.

Later, evangelism was associated with the 18th-century revivals that broke out in England and America under the preaching of George Whitefield, John Wesley, and Jonathan Edwards.

In early 19th-century England, Anglican “evangelicals” (under the leadership of John Newton, William Wilberforce, Henry Thornton, Hannah More, and other members of the Clapham Sect) emphasized Gospel outreach, personal piety, Bible study, and social and political activism. Toward the end of the same century, the word was associated with the ministry of such evangelists as Charles G. Finney, Dwight L. Moody, and Billy Sunday.

In the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, the name evangelical was adopted and used widely by educated conservative Christians who affirmed the so-called “fundamentals of the faith” — for example, the deity of Christ, the authority of the Bible, and the importance of personal conversion. These Christians wanted to be distinguished from the perceived anti-intellectual, separatist, and belligerent tendencies of the Fundamentalist movement of the 1920s and 30s. Individuals such as Billy Graham, Carl F. H. Henry, and Harold John Ockenga played key roles in this development, as did institutions including Moody Bible Institute, Wheaton College, and Fuller Theological Seminary.

Current use of the word “evangelical”

You’re right: Today’s news media have given the terms “fundamentalist” and “evangelical” special meanings and definitions.

In some circles, a “fundamentalist” is anyone who is perceived to hold “extreme” or “radical” religious views of any description. “Evangelical,” on the other hand, seems to have taken on a primarily political significance: Most media outlets use it to refer to “right-wing conservative Christians,” particularly those who are thought to have a carefully defined social and political “agenda.”

Why Focus on the Family identifies as an evangelical organization

When we label ourselves “evangelicals” or make statements referring to our “evangelical” constituency, we are thinking primarily in terms of the classic definition of the word-the definition that stretches back though Billy Graham to Dwight L. Moody, Charles Finney, William Wilberforce, and Martin Luther.

In other words, we identify ourselves with Christians through the ages who affirm the inspiration and authority of God’s Word and who have sought to conduct themselves in society according to its principles and values.

We also hold another important value in common with the broader “evangelical” movement: interdenominationalism. In this respect, it’s worth pointing out that some religious sociologists have included under the umbrella of “evangelicalism” groups as distinct as Afro-American Baptists, Dutch Reformed Churches, Mennonites, Pentecostals, Southern Baptists, and Catholic charismatics. That indicates just how diverse and inclusive the movement is.

Want to talk more?

If you think it would be helpful to explore your question in more detail, call our professional and pastoral counselors for a free, one-time consultation at 1-855-771-HELP (4357). They’d be glad to talk with you.