Evangelicalism
“At its most basic level, evangelical Christianity is characterized by a belief in the literal truth of the Bible, a “personal relationship with Jesus Christ,” the importance of encouraging others to be “born again” in Jesus and a lively worship culture. This characterization is true regardless the size of the church, what the people sitting in the pews look like or how they express their beliefs. Evangelical institutions include not only churches but also primary schools and universities, large and small non-profit organizations, media companies and several political groups.
Though its history in America is much longer, Evangelicalism began to significantly influence American politics and culture in the 1970s, culminating with the Reagan Revolution and the rise of the Religious Right. Today its influence continues to extend well beyond its own religious orbit. In Southern California, we are watching how both megachurches and small communities of young evangelicals are adapting to new social and cultural challenges.” - USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture studies
Lectures
The Many Faces of American Evangelicalism by Timothy D. Hall
“Historian David Bebbington identifies four major impulses that link different strands of evangelicalism and set evangelicals apart from other kinds of Christians. "Conversionism" is the belief that salvation comes through a personal experience of divine forgiveness and embrace. For over two centuries evangelicals have called this the "New Birth" and described themselves as "born again." A second impulse, "Biblicism," entails reliance on the Bible as the ultimate authority in religious belief and practice. Evangelicals are also "activists," both in proclaiming their message of salvation and engaging in humanitarian, social, and political action. The final impulse focuses on the cross, on which Jesus died on humanity's behalf (1). Meanwhile, historian Mark Noll observes that evangelicalism's conversionism, biblicism, activism, and focus on the cross have never produced "easily definable, well-coordinated, or clearly demarcated groups of Christians" (2).”
Citation
Hall, Timothy D. "The Many Faces of American Evangelicalism." OAH Magazine of History 22, no. 1 (2008): 38-42.
Resources
Balmer, Randall. Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory: A Journey into the Evangelical Subculture in America. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 2006.
Loveland, Anne C. and Otis B. Wheeler. From Meetinghouse to Megachurch: A Material and Cultural History. Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 2003.
Marsden, George M. Understanding Fundamentalism and Evangelicalism. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1991.
Noll, Mark A. American Evangelical Christianity: An Introduction. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers, 2001.
Smith, Christian. Christian America? What Evangelicals Really Want. Berkeley University of California Press, 2000.
Evangelical Churches in Philadelphia
123 E Wyoming Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19120
4017 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 243.3630 | info@cccphila.org
