The word "evangelical" floats around in churches, the media and particularly this year's election but Americans often have no idea what an evangelical is, a new study shows.
As Christians themselves still have a hard time agreeing on what exactly defines an evangelical, Ellison Research asked the average adult American what they believe is an "evangelical Christian." Thirty-six percent of them said they had no idea.
"I'm not sure; all I can think of is Billy Graham," said one 40 year-old woman from Florida who does not attend worship services, in the survey.
"I am not sure, and I am a Christian," said a 55-year-old man from Indiana.
Although Americans who would call themselves evangelical were much more likely to have an actual definition for the word than others, the survey, released Wednesday, found that 14 percent of those self-described evangelicals couldn't guess what an evangelical is.
Evangelical leaders were also asked to provide a definition.
Richard Cizik, vice president for Governmental Affairs at the National Association of Evangelicals, gave a three-fold definition: "(1) the Bible is authoritative (i.e., infallible and inerrant in original autographs) in faith and practice; (2) born-again experience (i.e., a conversion to believe in and follow Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord through rebirth by the Holy Spirit); (3) shares this message of faith with others through evangelism and social witness."
He admitted, however, that even his three-fold test is not perfect.
Dr. Leon Morris from the World Evangelical Alliance described an evangelical as "a gospel man" or woman – someone who makes the Gospel of Christ central to his or her preaching, thinking and living.
Those most unlikely to know the definition of an evangelical were people who attend Roman Catholic worship services, people who do not attend any sort of worship, political moderates, Democrats and independents, according to Ellison Research, which surveyed 1,007 Americans adults. Younger Americans were also less likely to have even a guess.
The most common perception Americans have of an evangelical is that they evangelize. According to the study, 18 percent said an evangelical is a Christian who tries to spread his or her faith. Of those who associated evangelicals with evangelism, some described it as proselytizing and others saw it in a more positive light – telling others about Jesus.
Some Americans defined evangelicals as just a specific type of Christian – whether it's Protestant, born-again, charismatic or spirit-filled, liberal, modern, white, etc. Nine percent held this perception.
"A born again, conservative, fundamentalist Christian," a 22-year-old self-described evangelical man from California responded. "I believe it's a Baptist," said a woman from Nevada.
Another 9 percent said evangelicals are just Christians who are particularly devoted or zealous about their faith (although not to the point of fanaticism), and are totally sold out to their beliefs.
"I think an evangelical Christian is someone who does not waver on their beliefs in the truth of the Word of God (the Bible) and the presence of God in our country," a 35-year-old woman, who attends a non-denominational church and calls herself an evangelical, said. "I believe they are more concerned about what God thinks of them than what the world thinks of them and are willing to say what needs to be said to fight to keep God in our country."
One 22-year-old woman who does not attend worship services and does not know any evangelicals said she believes an evangelical is "one who is very strong with their ideas about their faith and in turn might push those ideas onto others."
In other responses, 8 percent of Americans defined an evangelical as focusing strongly on the Bible, believing in the Bible as God's word and as inerrant, allowing the Bible to guide their lives, and believing in a literal interpretation of the Bible. Older Americans, Protestant churchgoers and political conservatives were more likely to give this response. Continue >>
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Did Obama support the murder of Christians in Kenya? Aparently he raised $1 million dollars to his uncle who did.
reformation,
I agree. But when a man who makes 1.5 million a year is verbally accosted by "christians" as being carnal because he makes that much money, and yet they have no idea how he uses that money, the truth needs to be told.
I love it when people speak about how wealthy they are. How much money they make and how they give it towards advancing the Kingdom Of God? Do they really? Matt 6:1-4 say's " Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." I'm sure there's not many Job's out there! If God stripped most of these men from there riches, I wonder how many would truly say " The Lord gives and the Lord takes away." Who cares what you make and how much you have and may give, one may ask do you Truly Know The LORD JESUS CHRIST! And not in a knowing way most so-called confessing Evangelical christians say they do. Because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and FEW there be that find it.
And again, before people go off saying "Does he really need a $28 million dollar house?", ask yourself first if David in the Old Testament needed all his wealth? Or did Solomon need to be the richest man in the world? Or did Joseph need to be second in command of Egypt, the greatest kingdom of his time?
Seek God first. Let Him determine your blessings.
tallguy,
Usually there is. But I have been in business with men in their 20's and 30's who make six to seven figure income a year, and actually only work on average of 10-20 hours a week. But I do agree that that is not the majority.
One gentlaman, for example, (he's in his 50's though), makes enough that he lives on 10% of his income (literally) and gives the rest to missions, church, charity, etc. And paid cash to build a $28 million dollar house. And he's a Christian. Is he in sin? No. God chose him to be one who can make that kind of money so that he can, in turn, use it wisely to help others promote the gospel.
Hey Prophet, if someone makes a lot of money there is usually a tradeoff. I used to make twice what I make now which allowed me to easily buy more "stuff". But I was always on the road. I traveled the world all the way from Johannesburg to Saudi Arabia to the sands of Egypt to the oil sands of Ft McMurray, Alberta. It was interesting work, but I missed out on so many things at home which are way more important, like birthdays, recitals, time with family and friends.
Money is just money. What's important is if we can use our careers to advance God's Kingdom. Can we show Christ to others through the way we do the work that we do.
You're right, to sell it all and follow Christ is difficult. In writing this, it's making me have a greater appreciation for the brothers, monks, nuns that have literally done this.
Amen my friend <><...
"And here's a tough one... go and sell what you own, give the money to the poor, and come follow me. These are difficult words coming from Jesus.'
That's a bitter pill for most Christians to swallow...you and me included.
So, you would have no problem with a fellow Christian making twice what you make?
Prophet:
I work in electrical engineering and I make more in a year then you and your wife combined and I don't really care, I'm not motivated by money. I just received a raise which was nice, let's just say it keeps up with inflation. I thank God that he has created me with a resourceful mind which allows me to design electrical facilities for the oil and mining industries here in western Canada, I enjoy my job. I can use it for His glory by being a man of faith and making sure to be ethical in everything that I do. Be different, show an example of Christ in my daily interactions.
Still, I don't think that God is so concerned with my financial well being, but I know he is extremely concerned with my Spiritual wellbeing. Jesus told us that we are not to store up treasures on earth, but to store our treasures in heaven. And here's a tough one... go and sell what you own, give the money to the poor, and come follow me. These are difficult words coming from Jesus. He didn't say go get a bigger TV and spend your time watching the Miracle Channel, he said give the money to the poor, come follow me....
<><.... Pax Christi my friend
But the "Prosperity Gospel" can probably be wrapped up in one verse.
III John 1:2 "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."
God made Joseph second in command of Egypt.
Solomon was the richest man in the world.
Abraham was extremely wealthy.
None of them, including David, sought out riches. God chose to bless them because of their obedience to Him.
tallguy,
I assume you have a job. Have you ever turned down a promotion, or a raise? If you have accepted either, you fall into your own condemnation of prosperity.
tallguy,
You said "Prophet, try to explain to someone starving in Africa (or even right here in Canada or USA) why God "hasn't blessed them immensely".
If I could then I would know the mind of God. Try explaining how King David was a "man after God's own heart" and how God blessed him immeasurably.
God blesses whom He blesses.
My wife and I make a combined income of around $70K. To someone who makes $25K a year, that may seem like we're rich....but then again...the man living on welfare thinks the man making $25K a year is wealthy.
I will repeat. God blesses whom He chooses to bless. And yes, God is more concerned about our spiritual health than our materialistic things.
Pursue His righteousness, and let His blessings pursue you in whatever way He deems fit. Don't do it the other way around.
Well to begin, I will step on some toes, but it's necessary to tell the Truth here.
The Bible talks about Saints, but man doesn't appoint them God does. Now, is not all who accept Christ Jesus as their Lord a Saint? Do we need some man made 'process' to proclaim someone a Saint?
Now on teresa, she was satan's perfect weapon.
Under the guise of Love and Works, she told many "Just be the best Hindu you can be or Just be the best Muslim you can be and you will get to Heaven."
With her power of persuasion she led many down this false path to destruction. As Hitler led many to the Slaughter Physically; so did she Spiritually.
Teresa was not Saved. The catholic church leads many to damnation.
tallguy, I can somewhat relate to what igh is saying, I never had a New Testament until I was in the 8th grade and never had a Bible until I went to Catholic Seminary in the 9th grade. I attended Catholic school all the way from the 1st to the 10th grade. The only thing I had prior to that was the Missal which of course contained various passages from the Bible. It sounds like this has changed and I'm glad to hear that.
igh:
Today's Mass readings (Sunday, September 7, 1008) for all Catholics Masses throughout the world:
Ezekiel
Chapter 33: 7-9
Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9
Romans 13:8-10
Matthew 18:15-20
Look them up. You'll see the common thread. You'll see how the OT is tied to and forshadowed the NT. You'll see how the NT has fulfilled what was predicted in the OT. I can't understand why your friend doesn't get it, in each and every Mass around the world the Gospel is read.
Google Daily Mass readings. You'll see every day OT and NT readings and there is always a thread through them. The Mass is more scriptural then you might have know about.
<><...
igh:
you're painting all Catholics with a pretty wide brush, that's not fair, stop it! Your friend is not living her Catholic faith the way it is intended.
Trust me, many of us know our bibles. I don't leave home without it! I and many of us read our bible in it's fullness, love and serve Jesus in His fullness.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you. <><..
Stanjz is right!. No matter how much these prosperity preachers want you to think that "God wants to bless you" it aint true! Jesus is not concerned with our material wealth, only our Spiritual Wealth!
Prophet, try to explain to someone starving in Africa (or even right here in Canada or USA) why God "hasn't blessed them immensely".
My comments on Mark 10:24-27
Since wealth, power, and merit generate false security, Jesus rejects them utterly as a claim to enter the kingdom. Achievement of salvation is beyond human capability and depends solely on the goodness of God who offers it as a gift.
Google Veritatis Splendor. Read it.
â
"stan, so are you saying if a Christian is rich then he is not a good Christian, but I know many wealthy Christians who are some of the most giving people I know."
As I've posted here in the past...I know of a man who lives in the exclusive section of Beverly Hills, has a 12 car garage, a helicopter to get to and from his corporations and still gives 90% of his personal income to the ministry. He has been living off of 10% of his income for decades and God has RICHLY blessed him. He started this when he was a 'simple' businessman with a moderate income.
When we're giving 90% to the ministry then we will have room to complain.
Question:
God blesses two people with an income of $150K a year.
Person A lives modestly, pays tithes and offerings without fail, gives to the poor, maybe uses a credit card on occassion but pays it off monthly, and saves for the future in case of unforseen difficulties....i.e a wise steward.
Person B, lives a life of luxury, pays tithes and offerings sparingly, if at all. Turns their ears from the needy, and foolishly spends all his income (i.e. living beyond his means, running up credit cards and such), not saving any for the future.
Who's the Godly man and who's the carnal man? Who's the wise man and who's the fool?
Who will God continue to bless because he has proven himself a wise steward of what he's got?
And it doesn't need to be $150 a year income. What about $40K a year? $25K a year? It's all the same. I know people who make $50K who are way better stewards than many who make three times that.
It's not in how much you make, it's in what you do with what you make.
I in no way promote "prosperity Gospel", but I do promote "Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you."
If we seek His kingdom, and not worry about the materialistic stuff, He will bless us as He sees fit. That means that some may be blessed to be millionares, and some may be blessed to make $30K a year. Whatever He decides, we need to be content with, for He knows what we can be responsible with.
Some are called to forsake all and go forth, and some are called to work and support those who go forth. Let God determine who, and how, He blesses. Don't tell God what to do.
stan,
Did you purposely omit verses 26 - 27?
"26And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?
27And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible."
But let me ask you this. It may be almost impossible for a rich man to enter into the kingdome of heaven. But what about someone who is already a Christian, whom God decides to bless immensely?
stan, so are you saying if a Christian is rich then he is not a good Christian, but I know many wealthy Christians who are some of the most giving people I know. But what has wealth got anything to do with the issue of being an evangelical.
The problem with the evangelical community is that their leaders are sneaking in and mixing Americanism or materialism with the Gospel. Instead of focusing on the fact that God does want good things for people, but most of them are not in the form of material goods; they start off by making an outrageous claim like "God doesn't want you to be poor." No one said He does, but He does explicitly tell you not to become rich here on earth and He says it in many ways and with very foreboding language. I read someone who said â
Many who *think* they are "Evangelicals" really aren't. George Barna, the highly respected Christian statistician offers a definition that is pretty accurate. Take a look at this link.
http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=Topic&TopicID=17
I've always thought that evangelical was a verb....
umm , well wasnt Jesus 'Evangelical?' are we not supposed to do as he did? So....... Are not all who follow Christ Evangelicals? I am saying to make Disciples, as Jesus said to do. Speaking the Truth unashamed, doing good works,bearing Fruit to eternal life. And not denying his name. Amen.
I have never seen more stubborn people who are so sure of themselves and there faith, that have no clue to what Christ did and why, than catholics. Doctrine is not necessary for them.
i have a neighbor who says she is catholic. She doesnt even know what the "New Testament" is.
tim, the better question is do you live your faith in a way that shows the love of Christ to others and do you share your faith with those who ask you the reason for the way you live your life. And do you have a desire to see lost people come to Christ. If your answer is yes then you are indeed an evangelical in my mind.
DRJ,
Amen!
Your statement â
I typically call myself a born-again Christian. I firmly believe "I have been saved by Christ, saved by grace, believe in a born again experience, and believe in eternal life through Christ. By comparison I am probably a good person but I don't feel I know enough about Biblical teaching, and have not discovered how to let God's love shine through me all the time, so I don't parade my faith. Does this mean I am not evangelical?
Online4him, I believe that since the coming of Jesus to the earth, there has not been an "invisible" church. Jesus on earth was the embodiment of God in the flesh. He told His disciples (and we who believe in Him today) that, :As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." Truly we ARE the body of Christ Jesus...we are not invisible, nor should our witness ever be if we are to carry out His commission to carry the Gospel to all nations. I am not speaking only of foreign missionaries, but of avery person who tkes up the mantle of Jesus to complete His mission of global evangelism. All believers must burn brightly in the sharing of His light...none are excused from His call to evangelze the world. True believers can't help but talk about their Savior and Lord, regardless of the cost! An invisible church on top of the highest hilltop will still never be seen! Let's commit to shining our light for Him so that others will see our good works (Evangelism) and glorify our Father in heaven. Amen?
It all depends how you use the word "evangelical." The root of the word is "Evangel." The message of the coming of Jesus to the earth was delivered by the EVANGEL (angelic mesenger of the Lord). The word "evangelical," therefore, is an adjective describing a message that pertains to the coming of the Lord, either to the earth or to a certain region or person in the form of the Gospel message. How the word "evangelical" ever became a noun is a question that needs addressing. An Evangelical, I suppose, is a person who embraces the truth of the messanger of God concerning Jesus, the Messiah.
Question is, do evangelicals know what an evangelical is. I mean that when you look at Barna's research some do not even believe that Jesus actually was sinless and that the Bible is inerrant. Yet according to evangelical statements without such fundamental beliefs you are not an evangelical.
(Prior to that, the word evangelical and the denominational beliefs are unheard of in Christianity)
The (words) Evangelical/Protestantism are very recent but the beliefs are indeed biblical. Beliefs that can be traced back to the New Testament and have been handed down through the centuries by many Christians. Salvation through faith in the grace and person of Jesus Christ were truths that had been buried under a mountain of tradition and superstition. The recovery of these beliefs were mostly noticeable during the Protestant Reformation; a movement which revived Christianity from the corruption of the Dark Ages. Sadly, today, Protestantism itself could use a fresh reformation.
With that said, it is important to remember that, regardless of the times in which we live, every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Every true believer is God's (building.) There is an unseen church, comprised of Christ's followers, who remain true to the teachings of Christ and to the leading of His Holy Spirit. This unseen or invisible church excels in the graces of God, just as the early church did, despite the physical location of its members.
Christ's church is comprised of those who have a vibrant relationship with our risen Lord and Savior. Though the world may not be witness to the miraculous signs and wonders, or other manifestations of the power of God that were apparent in the early church, Christ's church remains alive and well.
There is a whole new breed of Roman Catholics who like myself were Evangelical Protestants. A vast number like me were Pastors, then after many years of studying the earliest writing of the Church Fathers and their interpretations of Scripture compelled us to come home to the Original Evangelical Church of Christ. The success of the Catholic Evangelical zeal is proven simply by the numbers of people who are Catholic in the World and the fact that the Catholic Church has spread the Gospel to every single country and town on the face of the planet. Now, that should be considered pretty Evangelical.
There are millions of evangelical Catholics like myself and our numbers are growing. There are 200 million charismatic Catholics who are certainly Evangelical. In fact, this has grown by 112% in the last 20 years.(Catholic Herald)
Evangelical Catholics and Protestants have more things in common than just witnessing for a conversion to Christ but also in witnessing his Moral Truths in this election; We are all 100% Pro-Life, Pro-trad marriage, Anti-cloning, anti-Euthansia, anti-embryonic stem cell research, pro-traditional family AND PRO JESUS CHRIST AS OUR LORD AND SAVIOR. We stand shoulder to shoulder on these issues as well and this helps many others who do not know Jesus Christ come to the Christian faith because of our solid moral witness. Whether they become Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal or Lutheran at least they now have Jesus!
When we come together and witness as one Christian body, we are so much more powerful of a witness for the Gospel.
McCain/Palin 2008!
Diana...I will have to agree with you that adultery is a sin. I had never heard about Mc Cain's adultery until recently, but I don't know if he has ever asked God and his family for forgiveness. If that is the case, God has forgiven him and that is in the past.
On another note, I have never heard him endorsing adultery as a person's right or choice. He's not perfect and he has made wrong choices as well as sinful ones, but he does not believe in people having the right to comit the sins he was guilty of committing himself.
Obama's disregard for human life (a sin as well) and the idea of publicly supporting that sin troubles me even more.
"(while ignoring those that condemn them) "
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Evangelicals don't even know who they are, why should America? And this week, evangelicals showed their ever increasing hypocrisy of picking and choosing the parts of the bible they like (while ignoring those that condemn them) all while slinging mud at everyone else. One thing is for sure... God is separating out his true remnant.
fullgospel, also based on several definitions in this article Southern Baptists would have been considered evangelicals since the 1800s and Baptists as a whole since the 1700s at least.
fullgospel, I personally know some born-again believers still in the Catholic Church who consider themselves to be evangelicals. And based on several of the definitions in this article they truly are.
FullGospel- You may be right about tracing the root of the word "evangelical" but you are wrong as to being unheard of in Christianity. Protestants "roots" are from the beginning of time when God created earth. It was only revealed during the Reformation.
evangelical Protestants can trace their faith roots back to about 1900. Prior to that, the word evangelical and the denominational beliefs are unheard of in Christianity. Perhaps one rock-solid definition is what an evangelical is not: "we're not Catholic."
On the flipside, our evangelical brothers and sisters could give the rest of us a lesson in witnessing anywhere, anytime at a moment's notice. Their fire and zeal are commendable and they are essential players in the pro-life fight.