Changes

There is no exact definition of who is an Evangelical. Pollsters often ask, "Are you a born-again Christian?" to define the group. Sociologists look at membership in specific denominations and often include adherents of [[Holiness Movement]], [[Pentecostal]] and [[Nazarene]] churches. Some scholars focus on the Bible beliefs, together with a personal commitment to Christ.<ref> See Krapohl and Lippy (1999) </ref>

There is no exact definition of who is an Evangelical. Pollsters often ask, "Are you a born-again Christian?" to define the group. Sociologists look at membership in specific denominations and often include adherents of [[Holiness Movement]], [[Pentecostal]] and [[Nazarene]] churches. Some scholars focus on the Bible beliefs, together with a personal commitment to Christ.<ref> See Krapohl and Lippy (1999) </ref>

The largest Lutheran body in the USA is the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]]. It should be noted though that this church and The [[Episcopal Church]], which is in communion with it, have had their Evangelical credentials questioned as a result of their recent acceptance of homosexuality. Some Evangelical Protestant critics, believing homosexual acts to be be contrary to Scripture, place these churches on the edge of fringe Christianity along with Jehovah's Witnesses, The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints (Mormons), and Seventh Day Adventists.  

The largest Lutheran body in the USA is the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]]. It should be noted though that this church and The [[Episcopal Church]], which is in communion with it, have had their Evangelical credentials questioned as a result of their recent acceptance of homosexuality. Some Evangelical Protestant critics, believing homosexual acts to be contrary to Scripture, place these churches on the edge of fringe Christianity along with Jehovah's Witnesses, The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints (Mormons), and Seventh Day Adventists.  

The Christian researcher and author George Barna defines "Evangelicals" as a subset of those who meet the basic criteria defining born again Christians, but who also meet seven other doctrinal conditions.<ref>http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/12-faithspirituality/15-christianity-is-no-longer-americans-default-faith</ref> A distinction is then enabled to be manifest in other areas of faith beliefs.<ref>[http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/RevealingStatistics.html#Sec4 Revealing Statistics: America in Decline; Differences among Denominations]</ref>

The Christian researcher and author George Barna defines "Evangelicals" as a subset of those who meet the basic criteria defining born again Christians, but who also meet seven other doctrinal conditions.<ref>http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/12-faithspirituality/15-christianity-is-no-longer-americans-default-faith</ref> A distinction is then enabled to be manifest in other areas of faith beliefs.<ref>[http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/RevealingStatistics.html#Sec4 Revealing Statistics: America in Decline; Differences among Denominations]</ref>

==Colonial America==

==Colonial America==

The [[First Great Awakening]] was a spontaneous outburst of religious enthusiam in the American colonies, with a decisive long-term impact on setting the stage for Evangelicalism in Congregational, Baptist, Methodist and presbyterian denominations, among others.  It did not add new members so much as to change the religious consciousness of church members to a greater awareness of sin and redemption, and a downplaying of ritual, liturgy and theology.  The Great Awakening heavily emphasized the individual’s experience of salvation and the Holy Spirit’s work in revivals. By giving many evangelicals radical notions of the spiritual equality of all people, the revivals helped form the democratic style came to characterize the American people.<ref> Thomas S. Kidd, ''The Great Awakening: The Roots of Evangelical Christianity in Colonial America'' (2007) </ref>

The [[First Great Awakening]] was a spontaneous outburst of religious enthusiasm in the American colonies, with a decisive long-term impact on setting the stage for Evangelicalism in Congregational, Baptist, Methodist and presbyterian denominations, among others.  It did not add new members so much as to change the religious consciousness of church members to a greater awareness of sin and redemption, and a downplaying of ritual, liturgy and theology.  The Great Awakening heavily emphasized the individual’s experience of salvation and the Holy Spirit’s work in revivals. By giving many evangelicals radical notions of the spiritual equality of all people, the revivals helped form the democratic style came to characterize the American people.<ref> Thomas S. Kidd, ''The Great Awakening: The Roots of Evangelical Christianity in Colonial America'' (2007) </ref>

==19th century==

==19th century==

==Self Image==

==Self Image==

The self image of evangelical Christians include:

The self-image of evangelical Christians include:

* generally better knowledge of the Bible compared to non-evangelical Christians

* generally better knowledge of the Bible compared to non-evangelical Christians

* view all events recorded in the Bible as historically accurate and treat it as the infallible Word of God

* view all events recorded in the Bible as historically accurate and treat it as the infallible Word of God

[[Category:Fundamentalism]]

[[Category:Fundamentalism]]

[[Category:Christian Movements]]

[[Category:Christian Movements]]

[[category:Evangelicals]]

[[Category:Evangelicals]]