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.ReligiousTolerance.org: Evangelical Definition
Definition
Although there is no single definition for Evangelicals, historian David Bebbington boils it down to four key points:ReligiousTolerance.org: Evangelical Definition
- Conversionism: Belief that lives need to be changed
- Activism: Expression of the gospel
- Biblicism: Regard for The Bible
- Crucicentrism: Stressing the sacrifice of Jesus of Nazareth
Historical Figures
Some important figures in Evangelical Protestantism include:
- George Whitefield
- John Wesley
- Jonathan Edwards
- Charles G. Finney
- Dwight L. Moody
- Billy Sunday
- Billy Graham
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Term comes from Greek word evangelion ("the good news")Weaton.edu: Defining Evangelicalism
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Fact:
Martin Luther originally called his church the Evangelische Kirke (Evangelical Church) during the Reformation
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Fact:
Evangelicals can include such diverse groups as Baptists, Mennonites, and PentecostalsWeaton.edu: Defining Evangelicalism
