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An '''Evangelical Christian''' is a Protestant who spreads the Gospel. In recent decades the term has narrowed to designate a white conservative Protestant, usually with a belief in the inerrancy of scriptures. "Evangelical" includes [[Fundamentalists]].  In the [[Reformation]] of the 16th century, "Evangelical" was a favorite term especially used by [[Lutherans]]. This article focuses on the United States and Canada since 1800.

An '''Evangelical Christian''' is a Protestant who spreads the Gospel. In recent decades the term has narrowed to designate a white conservative Protestant, usually with a belief in the inerrancy of scriptures. "Evangelical" includes [[Fundamentalists]].  In the [[Reformation]] of the 16th century, "Evangelical" was a favorite term especially used by [[Lutherans]]. This article focuses on the United States and Canada since 1800. "Fundamentalists" are fighting evangelicals taking on mainstream religion; they believe in [[Dispensationalism]] which most [[Calvinism|Calvinist]] Evangelicals reject. The largest Evangelical church is the [[Southern Baptist Convention]], which is also Fundamentalist. Also important is the [[Missouri Synod Lutheran Church]], which is Fundamentalist and Lutheran.

 

==19th century America==

==19th century America==

The [[Second Great Awakening]] from 1800 to the 1830s created a dramatic growth in "evangelical" or "pietistic" denominations. They included the Methodists, Congregationalists, most Presbyterians, Christians (Church of Christ and Disciples of Christ) and Scandinavian Lutherans. They were opposed theologically by the liturgical or "high" churches, including Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, and German Lutherans.<ref>See Richard Jensen, ''The Winning of the Midwest, 1888-1896'' (1971)</ref>  The evangelicals were strong supporters of moral reforms in society, using government action to promote women's rights, the abolition of slavery, and the prohibition of liquor.

The [[Second Great Awakening]] from 1800 to the 1830s created a dramatic growth in "evangelical" or "pietistic" denominations. They included the Methodists, Congregationalists, most Presbyterians, Christians (Church of Christ and Disciples of Christ) and Scandinavian Lutherans. They were opposed theologically by the liturgical or "high" churches, including Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, and German Lutherans.<ref>See Richard Jensen, ''The Winning of the Midwest, 1888-1896'' (1971)</ref>  The evangelicals were strong supporters of moral reforms in society, using government action to promote women's rights, the abolition of slavery, and the prohibition of liquor.