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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]].  

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. During the [[Reformation]] of the 16th century, "Evangelical" was a favorite term, especially as used by [[Lutherans]] to mean "Gospel-oriented." The largest Lutheran body in the USA is the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]].

This article focuses on the United States and Canada since 1740, when the [[First Great Awakening]] launched the Evangelical movement.<ref> Thomas S. Kidd, ''The Great Awakening: The Roots of Evangelical Christianity in Colonial America'' (2007) [http://www.amazon.com/Great-Awakening-Evangelical-Christianity-Colonial/dp/0300118872/ref=ed_oe_h excerpt and text search]; William G. McLaughlin, ''Isaac Backus and the American Pietistic Tradition'' (1967)</ref>

This article focuses on the United States and Canada since 1740, when the [[First Great Awakening]] launched the Evangelical movement.<ref> Thomas S. Kidd, ''The Great Awakening: The Roots of Evangelical Christianity in Colonial America'' (2007) [http://www.amazon.com/Great-Awakening-Evangelical-Christianity-Colonial/dp/0300118872/ref=ed_oe_h excerpt and text search]; William G. McLaughlin, ''Isaac Backus and the American Pietistic Tradition'' (1967)</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 [[Holiness Movement]], [[Pentecostal]] and [[Nazarene]] groups. Some scholars focus on the Bible beliefs, together with a personal commitment to Christ.<ref> See Krapohl and Lippy (1999) ch 1</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 [[Holiness Movement]], [[Pentecostal]] and [[Nazarene]] groups. Some scholars focus on the Bible beliefs, together with a personal commitment to Christ.<ref> See Krapohl and Lippy (1999) ch 1</ref>

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==

Evangelicals were active in missions (as were the non-evangelical Christians).  Missionaries, in addition to spreading the word of God, have helped bring much needed medical and educational services to poor parts of the world, as part of their missionary activities.  

Evangelicals were active in missions (as were the non-evangelical Christians).  Missionaries, in addition to spreading the word of God, have helped bring much needed medical and educational services to poor parts of the world, as part of their missionary activities.  

The [[Third Great Awakening]] from 1850 to about 1900 saw the evangelical denominations organize themselves more thoroughly, and begin to have splits between "modernists" and "fundamentalists" about theological principles.

The [[Third Great Awakening]] from 1850 to about 1900 saw the evangelical denominations organize themselves more thoroughly. They also began to experience splits between "modernists" and "fundamentalists" about theological principles. "Evangelical" includes [[Fundamentalists]], not as an organization but as a style of religious belief coupled with activism.

 

 

 

==20th century==

==20th century==