Guide Note

Evangelical Christians are part of a movement whose members emphasize a "personal experience" of conversion, commonly referred to as being "born again." The term is typically used by the media in the United States to describe conservative Protestant Christians.¹

Fast Facts

1. Term comes from Greek word evangelion ("the good news")²
2. Martin Luther originally called his church the Evangelische Kirke (Evangelical Church) during the Reformation
3. Evangelicals can include such diverse groups as Baptists, Mennonites, and Pentecostals²

Although there is no single definition for Evangelicals, historian David Bebbington boils it down to four key points:¹

1. Conversionism: Belief that lives need to be changed
2. Activism: Expression of the gospel
3. Biblicism: Regard for The Bible
4. Crucicentrism: Stressing the sacrifice of Jesus of Nazareth

Some important figures in Evangelical Protestantism include:

1. George Whitefield
2. John Wesley
3. Jonathan Edwards
4. Charles G. Finney
5. Dwight L. Moody
6. Billy Sunday
7. Billy Graham