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It seems the more I try to understand how the term "Evangelical" evolved the more I get confused .

Did Jonathan Edwards, George Whitfield, and John Weslley call themselves as "Evangelical"? What did that term mean to people living in the 18th century?

What are the core tenants of being an Evangelical? Do these beliefs change much?

What variations are there within the "Evangelical" circle today?

Is a Fundamentalist the same as an Evangelical? (I think up till the 20th century they were, then somehow went back and forth interchangably)

Sorry, I know it's a handful, thanks for all your assistance.

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Studying MDiv. (Biblical Studies) at Tyndale Seminary
My Pastor's testimony "Street Kid to Preacher" - http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p ... 1A10FF286C

Kevin Bauder (President of Central Seminary) has written quite a bit about Fundamentalism and recently has written several helpful articles dealing with the relationship between Fundamentalists and Evangelicals. Here is one of them. I'll see if I can find some of the others another day.

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Thanks for the article, I finally had a chance to read it.

Is there really such a distaste amongst fundamentalists to associate themselves with conservative evangelicals as the article suggests? I guess I'm just totally out of the loop on this topic.

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Studying MDiv. (Biblical Studies) at Tyndale Seminary
My Pastor's testimony "Street Kid to Preacher" - http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p ... 1A10FF286C

I am evangelical and fundamentalist, but not Evangelical or Fundamentalist.

To me, "Fundamentalists" have become the 21st century version of Pharisees. They like to run around making a big deal out of minute issues; issues that they have created by adding things to the Bible to fit their hyper-conservative social beliefs. They often view every other tradition as a "perversion" of the Gospel, while failing to recognize that they may be "perverting" parts of it themselves. A lot of them are laser focused on one issue, like King-James-Only, anti-Calvinism or anti-eccumenicalism.

IMO, "Evangelicals" are Fundamentalist-lite. They still hold on to a lot of Funamentalism's beliefs, but aren't as vitriolic about it. The article Anti linked to calls these "Conservative evangelicals." My idea of an "Evangelical" is one who goes to a non-denominational church, doesn't drink or smoke, only listens to CCM, and doesn't know a much theology but can give you a detailed review of the latest Christian novels and self-help books.

These may be caricatures, but this is my perception of them, having grown up in these circles and keeping up with their goings on.

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Στηθι εδραιος, ως ακμων τυπτομενος. - Ignatius |II Timothy 4:2| All Scripture is NKJV, unless a translation from the Greek text or otherwise noted.
M.A. Theological Studies (New Testament), Faith Seminary, Tacoma WA
Member, Evangelical Theological Society, North American Patristics Society.
Assistant Editor and contributing author of several published and forthcoming publications.

The common shortcoming of these groups seems to be a preoccupation with drawing and maintaining boundaries around themselves...

Well it's certainly not just those groups.

Anytime a group has distinctions, those things tend to make a fence around the group. Often it's not that way at first, but tends to develop into a pietism over succeeding generations. A pietism where those distinctives tend to be the judging of who is and isn't saved and hence the fence of "true believers" vs. "others".

Thing is, there are many Fundamentalists who have no such fence, and because one doesn't see it, one likely doesn't think of them as Fundamentalists. However, pietists and legalists very likely will refer to themselves as Fundamentalist, even when their distinctives, violate the fundamentals.

It's much like most people think of themselves as conservative, even though many of them clearly are not. Many who call themselves Fundamentalists clearly are not.

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Marv
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In short, to be an Evangelical is to believe the gospel, the evangelium. All Christians worth their salt must be "Evangelical" by default.

Personally, I think of myself as a Reformed Catholic.

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"THE LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1)

Psychobobicus, I agree with a lot of what you wrote but I think that comparing fundamentalists to Pharisees is perhaps a little bit too critical. However, I do agree some fundamentalists (most of my background and education came from fundamentalism) have come close to being Pharisaical.

When I think of fundamentalism I go back to the four volume set of books called "The Fundamentals" ca. 1910, edited by R.A. Torrey and A.C. Dixon. Articles in these volumes were written by fundamentally minded believers from many different denominations. These articles were like a line in the sand; they were a stand against higher criticism, modernism, evolution, and their confirmation of belief in the trinity, salvation by grace, the infallibility of Scripture, etc.

Mark A. Noll, has an interesting book titled "The Rise of Evangelicalism."
Evangelicalism is a rather fluid term. It had been used in the past (middle ages) as a term to describe belief in Jesus and the New Testament. Later, during the Reformation, the term referred to the Protestant Reformation. In Noll's book, he cites David Bebbington and his list of four ingredients of evangelicalism:
Conversion or the belief that lives need to be changed
The Bible - the belief that all spiritual truth is found in its pages
The dedication of all believers to the service of God
Christ's death provided atonement and reconciliation to God
pages 16-19

I consider myself to be an evangelical but fundamental in my core beliefs. However, I do agree that many times some fundamentalists can start arguments over some trivial things.

Although I call myself Evangelical, I don't belong to a nondenominational church (though I have). I don't smoke, but I have friends in my church who do. I frequently drink wine with dinner and occasionally have a beer, though always with moderation and never to the point of intoxication. I don't even know what CCM is. And I like to think I know a little theology (I do work at it), but I haven't read a Christian novel in decades and the only "self-help" books I read are counseling or discipleship oriented and rooted in Scripture.

I did visit a large local church recently for a funeral and read some of their literature while waiting in the foyer. One piece of literature talked about their beliefs and practices, and I was surprised to read that members in good standing of their church do not dance or play cards! What's that about?

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You brought up some good points Gideon. I think CCM is contemporary Christian Music - this is the title of a magazine that discussed all of the Christian hits.

It is interesting that many times we get caught up in the denominational setting as opposed to being a Christian. It is so easy to be caught up in the doing of the Christian life as opposed to simply being. Anyone can work a list don't smoke, chew, etc. but the lists will only please man. We need to teach people to let the Spirit work in them so that they focus on being like Christ.

Well, I do go to a non-denominational church, ie. Calvary Chapel Redmond, but we don't talk about being an evangelical needing any of those requirements. Just as the apostles were from low reputation, we believe that as soon as Christ is in a persons life, that person will evangelize. My pastor said once, 'if you don't feel you are worthy to do ministry work, you are definitely qualified'. The only christian books I know of are in my bible study software. As for music... each must reconcile to themselves what he/she listens to.

I think I might know more about my wifes hair products than theology...LOL, but like you said Gideon, I am working at it. And my self help book starts in Genesis.

I think being evangelical, is being Christ-like and when ever possible, sharing the word and loving ones neighbor. Pastor Anthony said "You may be the only bible that person ever reads."

That one gave me pause and I had to do a personal inventory quick!

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