Definition of Evangelical

[mikewhitney]

I might be off base here, but I sort of see a dividing line in whether the church emphasizes the need for a personal decision to follow Christ or not. I don't see that in the more liberal churches at all, whereas the UMC Church here in town I mentioned gives all visitors a welcome packet that includes a basic gospel presentation (and the pastor will emphasize the gospel in his sermons, even going off topic in doing so).

Your observation is relevant. Church groups don't have to call themselves 'evangelical', but the use of the term would tell prospective members of the distinction from liberal churches.

[Cow Poke]

I might be off base here, but I sort of see a dividing line in whether the church emphasizes the need for a personal decision to follow Christ or not. I don't see that in the more liberal churches at all, whereas the UMC Church here in town I mentioned gives all visitors a welcome packet that includes a basic gospel presentation (and the pastor will emphasize the gospel in his sermons, even going off topic in doing so).

That's probably inherent in the "Evangelical". There's a need to tell others about Jesus, as in the Great Commission. At the extreme other end is, for example, the Unitarians, who, in my town, just gather like old hippies to play guitars and swap recipes.

[KingsGambit]

So, is the content of the message not as relevant as the act of sharing the message?

This question is intended to 'examine' whether groups would reasonably call themselves 'evangelical' if the message isn't consistent with the Apostle's Creed.

I'd say the content is non-negotiable. The Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses evangelize more than anybody but they sure ain't evangelical.

[KingsGambit]

I might be off base here, but I sort of see a dividing line in whether the church emphasizes the need for a personal decision to follow Christ or not. I don't see that in the more liberal churches at all, whereas the UMC Church here in town I mentioned gives all visitors a welcome packet that includes a basic gospel presentation (and the pastor will emphasize the gospel in his sermons, even going off topic in doing so).

[mikewhitney]

But the root in "Evangelical" would be "to evangelize". It's not so much about what you believe, but what you do.

So, is the content of the message not as relevant as the act of sharing the message?

This question is intended to 'examine' whether groups would reasonably call themselves 'evangelical' if the message isn't consistent with the Apostle's Creed.

[Cow Poke]

I realize that the Apostle's Creed is quite minimal in it's scope. Especially noticeable, this creed doesn't confess anything explicitly about scriptures. I used this as a simple, but minimal, statement of beliefs that I thought would apply as a statement to discern from people who like scriptures as fallible myths. However, you can't be consistent to say scripture is all fallible mythology while also adhering the Apostle's Creed.

But the root in "Evangelical" would be "to evangelize". It's not so much about what you believe, but what you do.

[KingsGambit]

My last church before moving (and the one I'm attending now) recite the Apostle's Creed now. I'm sort of in the no-man's land between mainline and evangelical, as both churches are UMC churches that are very much evangelical (many such churches, especially in the South, do not reflect the leftward motion on a denominational level).

[mikewhitney]

I realize that the Apostle's Creed is quite minimal in it's scope. Especially noticeable, this creed doesn't confess anything explicitly about scriptures. I used this as a simple, but minimal, statement of beliefs that I thought would apply as a statement to discern from people who like scriptures as fallible myths. However, you can't be consistent to say scripture is all fallible mythology while also adhering the Apostle's Creed.

[mikewhitney]

I've always thought it had to do with the emphasis of "evangelizing" to spread the gospel... not whether it was credal or not...

I would think evangelism is part of the use of the name, but I wondered if there was also reaction to liberal theology -- which I would tie-in with the break from the creeds.

[mikewhitney]

Here's the Apostle's Creed copied from CCEL
https://www.ccel.org/creeds/apostles.creed.html

1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:

2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:

3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:

4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:

5. The third day he rose again from the dead:

6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:

7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:

8. I believe in the Holy Ghost:

9. I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints:

10. The forgiveness of sins:

1l. The resurrection of the body:

12. And the life everlasting. Amen.

I know from my background that lots of Christians don't learn the creeds and confessions, but the Apostle Creed would still underlie the description from Cow Poke.

It doesn't seem to be a 'big' problem if Christians aren't all aware of the ideas in this creed. The problem is if a person opposes the truths found in this creed.

There also is problem when ministers confess the Apostle Creed publicly but disagree with it in private.

After studying the creeds and confessions, I decided it would be good to teach these in the local churches and to confess these among the members. But it could be interesting introducing congregational confession in a church group that hasn't been publicly confessing these.

[Cow Poke]

I've always thought it had to do with the emphasis of "evangelizing" to spread the gospel... not whether it was credal or not...

Which is why I like the definition I posted.

[Littlejoe]

I've always thought it had to do with the emphasis of "evangelizing" to spread the gospel... not whether it was credal or not...

[Cow Poke]

Would most evangelicals hold to the definition that 'evangelicalism' has its foundational meaning as "people who hold to, at minimal, some of the ancient Christian confessions?"

(I am fine including 'mainstream' Christian groups who also adhere to some of the ancient Christian confessions. I was sort of focused on the term 'evangelical' here. )

I might moderate the definition by noting that such evangelicals may be consciously aware of the connection of their faith with the confessions. (If someone has an improved definition of evangelical, that would be helpful.)

If I end up having to define those who are Christians, I would tend to speak of confessional Christianity -- those holding to, at minimal, the Apostles' Creed.

I suppose we could also ask what makes Christians also evangelical.

I've always thought that "Evangelical" had more to do with those who believe it's.... well, here's a definition from Webster with which I agree....

emphasizing salvation by faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ through personal conversion, the authority of Scripture, and the importance of preaching as contrasted with ritual

[Cow Poke]

I'd say that most people who label themselves "Evangelical" are unlikely to hold to any of the creeds, as Evangelicalism is generally non-creedal.

Interesting. Hadn't thought of it that way.

[One Bad Pig]

Would most evangelicals hold to the definition that 'evangelicalism' has its foundational meaning as "people who hold to, at minimal, some of the ancient Christian confessions?"

(I am fine including 'mainstream' Christian groups who also adhere to some of the ancient Christian confessions. I was sort of focused on the term 'evangelical' here. )

I might moderate the definition by noting that such evangelicals may be consciously aware of the connection of their faith with the confessions. (If someone has an improved definition of evangelical, that would be helpful.)

If I end up having to define those who are Christians, I would tend to speak of confessional Christianity -- those holding to, at minimal, the Apostles' Creed.

I suppose we could also ask what makes Christians also evangelical.

I'd say that most people who label themselves "Evangelical" are unlikely to hold to any of the creeds, as Evangelicalism is generally non-creedal.