What Evangelical Really Means

 

Reactions to Evangelicalism

There are so many misconceptions about the word: evangelical. Here are a few:

Evangelicals want to impose their beliefs on others. All learning comes from someone else. This doesn’t have to involve imposition or forcing or even telling another person that they must. Telling someone you are in favor of something, or they should or shouldn’t do something can be encouragement, like telling someone they shouldn’t put themselves down. Or the “shoulds” can be discouraging, for example, trying to discourage someone from taking their own life.  
​​“Evangelical” is a Christian denomination, or it is a practice only of white religious zealots. In fact it is a rather flexible term that can include Catholics, Mormons, Protestants, any racial demographic, and both the left and right on the political spectrum.

Evangelicalism is ethnocentric, especially Americentric bias in theology; it is nationalistic and exceptionalist politically. Another common criticism and biased conception is that evangelicalism involves a lack of positive engagement with the social and natural sciences, music, art, philosophy, news media and other expressions of culture.  Below are some examples to the contrary of this misconception:

          One example is Tony Campolo and Shane Claiborne whose aim is bringing together evangelicals who believe in the importance of insisting on issues of social justice mentioned by Jesus (in red lettering in some translations of the Bible). They believe Christians should be paying attention to Jesus' words and example by promoting biblical values such as social justice issues. These issues include the fight against poverty, the defense of peace, building strong families, respecting human rights and welcoming foreigners.

          Another example is Richard John Neuhaus, founder of the religion-and-policy journal First Things. He has for years articulated toughly conservative yet nuanced positions on a wide range of civic issues. A Lutheran turned Catholic priest, he can translate conservative Protestant arguments couched tightly in Scripture into Catholicism's broader language of moral reasoning, more accessible to a general public that does not regard chapter and verse as final proof.

            Finally, there is the Editor/Owner of ChristAliveHere.com, Glenn Currier. Throughout his life he has been involved in the arts, music, and theatre, and has studied different religious or philosophical orientations such as Buddhists, Taoists, and Native American spirituality. He and his wife support numerous non-profits such as the local food bank, the World Wildlife Foundation, and others. He loves football, and baseball as a spectator. He is a poet and has his own poetry website where he posts more than 300 poems written over many years. He initiated a poetry group in his local community and identifies himself as a writer. 
 

Where does the word Evangelical come from?

The term “evangelical” comes from the Greek word euangelion. It means “the good news” or the “gospel.” Evangelical faith focuses on the “good news” of salvation brought to sinners by Jesus Christ. Some dictionary definitions of evangelical (used as an adjective) are: of or according to the teaching of the gospel or the Christian religion; zealous in advocating something, also, of or denoting a tradition within Protestant Christianity emphasizing the authority of the Bible, personal conversion, and the doctrine of salvation by faith in the atonement.

 

Evangelical Christians: People of Faith
According to the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), evangelical faith is very diverse, ranging “across geography, race, politics, education and economics. In the words of the Bible, 'we are among ‘a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language’ “ (Revelation 7:9)

Evangelicals have a conviction in the authority of the Bible, and salvation through Jesus Christ, believing in the Holy Trinity and Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection to life.

 

Groups of evangelicals vary by where they live, how they vote, level of education and local cultural folkways and mores. The beliefs of these groups vary so much that one group is uncomfortable with the beliefs and behavior of another group. “We return to the teaching of the Bible and the leadership of Jesus in our quest to be faithful to our callings to love God, love our neighbors and share our faith.” (NAE) 

 

Editor’s Conclusion and Editorial Comments

                I have been bewildered by the massive stereotyping and negative bias toward people who call themselves evangelicals. The bias against evangelicals in much of mass media and by some politicians is manifest. On the other hand, I am among the first to stand up for freedom of the press. But more fundamentally I am even more bewildered by the fact that God has given humans freedom, despite the weakness, sinfulness, and fallibility of our species.

              From time to time I have been uncomfortable labeling myself, especially as belonging to a particular religion, or political party because I have concluded that there is no such thing as a perfect church, denomination, political party, culture, or nation. I have been ashamed of some of my own affiliations over the years because of a particular belief or practice that I later judged to be wrong or extreme.

               About Shame: I freely admit I am a sinner. I’ve had healthy shame for some of my actions and inadequacies. I surprise myself when I act as if I am superior or “better than.” I must remind myself periodically that I am not God and I should repent of my wrong doing and make amends . Being married is a great advantage because God works his will through my wife, and I admit that I sometimes prepare myself for humiliation, especially when I am summoned by my wife with these words: “We need to talk.”

                I am an evangelical, and I was heartened by the information above from the NAE, especially as they speak of the diversity of groups who identify as evangelicals. I have often said that my dear mother, a devout Catholic to the end, would roll over in her grave if she knew my present church membership and my identity as an evangelical. But in fact, since she has gone on to her glory, I am sure she understands and still prays for me just as she did on Earth.

               About Sin and Sinners: I have problems with my fellow believers who seem reluctant to say they are sinners or to talk about that. We are all sinners. Human nature is plagued by pride, the chief tool of Satan the accuser. I think pride is the primal sin of human beings. For example, we make a mistake when we in any way place ourselves above newcomers to church, people who dress differently, or people who in the early stages of learning about Christianity. We turn people away from Jesus with such actions and attitudes. Jesus Christ was well known for his bias for the bottom, his associations with the marginalized, sinners and people who were broken physically or emotionally.

              Ups and Downs: I have had my ups and downs as an evangelical. I am a moderate when it comes to politics, sometimes identifying with progressives and sometimes with conservatives. The first protestant church of which I was a member was non-denominational. I still love and cherish that church partly because I received adult baptism there and was born again. I remember in one of the first messages I heard from the pastor. He said: "It is okay to ask questions here" and in one message he said "I am a broken man." That was the first time I had ever heard a preacher say such a thing. And a close friend from that church reassured me when I told him of my doubts. One of the things that has helped with doubts is when I heard of Mother Theresa of Calcutta that she suffered from severe doubts over many years.

              My Conversion: Converting to Protestantism was one of the best things I have done in my life. Although my fellow evangelicals speak of being "saved," I am somewhat reluctant to say that, because I know that my salvation continues with each passing day through Bible study, worship services, Sunday School, a men's support group to which I belong, and of course, through my marriage to my wife Helen. Finally I believe that we are saved through grace and belief in Jesus Christ, and that we can cut ourselves off from grace by our own actions, attitudes, and thoughts. Grace is always there like electricity in a house. We just have to plug into it. 

 

Glenn Currier

Editor and Owner: ChristAliveHere.com