A chain of links.
Andii (Nouslife: “Evangelical” in the USA) points to a USA Today article – Evangelical: Can the ‘E-word’ be saved? – that, in turn, references a Christianity Today editorial – Save the E-Word: (Oct 2006) – that, in turn, references this Christianity Magazine editorial from the UK – Christianity Magazine: Editorials – The E-Word (May 2006). Oh, and Scot McKnight also has some recent comments on it on Jesus Creed » Are you an E-word?
All of which seem to say that the term ‘evangelical’ (or ‘Evangelical’, if you so desire) has picked up so much baggage in recent history (e.g. popular media seeing it as defined by what ‘evangelicals’ are against, rather than for) that it is ceasing to be a meaningful (or, perhaps, helpful term).
The original (UK) article points to David Bebbington’s ‘quadrilateral’ sketching the boarders of evangelicalism historically (at least, in areas influenced by British churches). It covers a wide range of theological variations upon four themes: conversionism, biblicism, activism and crucicentricism.
- Evangelicals are conversionist in the sense that they believe that people must turn to Christ to be saved, typically articulated as achieved through God’s grace with a resulting conversion as a life-changing religious experience. For some, this is an instant “decision for Christ”, while others within the evangelical framework would allow for it to be more of a process. Nevertheless, the focus is upon a personal relationship with God through the person and work (see below) of Jesus Christ.
- Biblicism is reflected in a high view of the Bible. Specifically, that it is the ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice. In practice this is worked out in the preaching and study of the Bible as the inspired Word of God. Again, there are differences of opinion over definitions of terms like ‘inspiration’, how its authority is worked out (e.g. the Anabaptist emphasis upon a communal approach to biblical interpretation), and the role of the Spirit, but the overriding emphasis is of deep respect of the biblical text.
- Activism is the outworking of the experience of God produced by conversion. For some it focuses upon encouraging people to make ‘decisions for Christ’ (particular forms of evangelism and mission), while others see preaching the good news of Jesus Christ as being as much about social concern and activism as the more narrow evangelistic approach. This diversity is often a point of tension.
- Crucicentricism is the evangelical’s primary focus centering on the person of Jesus Christ and his atoning work performed on the cross. Again, it is typically interpreted as some form of substitution (Christ died in our place so that we might have eternal life), and more narrowly as a ‘penal substitution’ (Christ bears the penalty for our sins, thereby saving us from God’s wrath). More on variations of atonement here – Reality. Issue 62: Understanding Atonement, by Martin Sutherland. Nevertheless, evangelicalism is specifically focused upon the role of the cross (and Christ’s resurrection) in restoring human (and creation’s) relationship to God, whichever atonement theme is emphasized.
The evangelical expression these characteristics varies, and moreover, there are many who would add other ‘essential’ themes to evangelicalism, such as the majesty of Christ, the lordship of the Holy Spirit and the importance of fellowship. (And, of course, those who would add other things in like Dispensational eschatologies, 6 day creation, and identification with right-wing/conservative politics.)
Furthermore, the emphases noted above can also be ‘over-emphasized’ in ways which alter their broad intent. For example, overemphasizing the importance of scripture can lead toward bibliolatry, where the Bible might become seen as a ‘magic book’ to be worshipped in its own right, or as a talisman whose possession guarantees ‘good luck’. Similarly, it is also possible to move towards a Christomonism, where the other persons of the Trinity (and indeed, the notion of the Trinity), are relegated to the sidelines in life and worship. It’s ‘all about Jesus’ sometimes misses the point that you can’t divorce Christ from the Trinity without revisiting the early Church’s Christological controversies.
Discussions of evangelicalism also often fail to take into account the effect of geography upon its manifestation. The evangelicalism described in the UK article is, in many ways, not the same as that in the US or Australia or New Zealand. Nor do these types of article consider the shape of evangelicalism in the majority world, such as African, Asia and South America. It’d be very interesting to listen to some critiques of Western evangelicalism from the perspective of non-Western evangelicals, and to listen to what they think the strengths and weaknesses of it in the West are.
Oh, and some of the articles refer to various statistics, which makes this recent article relevant as well. See Evangelicals Behaving Badly with Statistics – Books & Culture: (Jan/Feb 2007)
