Reason Vs Faith: The Evangelical Dilemma

do evangelicals look to reason or to faith

The term evangelical comes from the Greek word for good news or gospel. It is a worldwide interdenominational movement within Protestant Christianity that puts primary emphasis on evangelization. The born-again experience is a defining characteristic of the evangelical movement. Evangelicals believe in the Bible as the word of God and the final authority for Christians. They also believe in the second coming of Christ and that he will rapture believers to heaven. However, there is some debate and confusion around certain core doctrines of the Christian faith, such as the nature of sin, the Trinity, and the role of the Holy Spirit.

Characteristics Values
Bible as the word of God The Bible is the highest authority for what I believe
Born-again experience The belief in being "born again" or conversion
Spreading the gospel The belief in spreading the gospel message
Rapture and end times The belief in the return of Christ via the rapture
Trinity The belief in the classic Christian doctrine of the Trinity
Sin The belief that human nature is fundamentally sinful
Salvation The belief that only those who trust in Jesus Christ alone as their saviour receive God's free gift of eternal salvation
Worship The belief that worshipping alone or with one's family is not a valid replacement for regularly attending church
Holy Spirit The belief that the Holy Spirit is a force, not a personal being

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The Bible as the word of God

The Bible is the central tenet of evangelical faith. It is considered the word of God and the final authority for Christians. The Bible is believed to be infallible and inerrant in all its claims about the world and God.

Evangelicals believe in the Bible as the objective, authoritative word of God. This is in contrast to mainline Protestants, who view the Bible as a historical document that needs to be interpreted anew in every age. For evangelicals, the Bible is not just a collection of stories but a set of laws that are to be followed. This belief in biblical literalism is a defining characteristic of the evangelical movement.

Evangelicals also believe in the necessity of being "born again" or converted. This conversion is a personal relationship with God and is guided by the Bible. It involves complete surrender to Jesus Christ and a turning away from sin. This born-again experience is reported by nearly all evangelical leaders and is said to occur at a relatively young age.

The evangelical interpretation of the Bible emphasizes the centrality of the Atonement, or the saving death and resurrection of Jesus. This is understood in terms of substitutionary atonement, where Christ died as a substitute for humanity by taking on the punishment for sin.

While evangelicals agree on the authority of the Bible, there are differing interpretations. Some take a literal approach, believing that everything in the Bible should be taken at face value. Others interpret the Bible more flexibly, believing that not everything in it should be taken literally.

Evangelicals also believe in the return of Christ and the rapture, when believers will be taken up to heaven. However, there are differing views on how this return will occur and what it will mean for the world.

In summary, evangelicals hold the Bible as the ultimate authority and believe in the necessity of conversion and the Atonement. They also anticipate the return of Christ and hold differing interpretations of the Bible's teachings.

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The need for conversion

Evangelicalism is a worldwide movement within Protestant Christianity that places a strong emphasis on evangelisation. The term "evangelical" comes from the Greek word for "good news", referring to the Gospel story of salvation from sin. This "good news" is considered central to the faith, and evangelicals believe it is their duty to spread it far and wide.

The process of personal conversion is a defining characteristic of the evangelical movement. This involves a complete surrender to Jesus Christ, commonly referred to as being born again. The conversion process is guided by the Bible, which evangelicals believe to be the infallible word of God.

The belief in the necessity of being "born again" has been a constant theme of evangelicalism since its beginnings. To evangelicals, the central message of the gospel is justification by faith in Christ, and turning away from sin. This conversion experience differentiates the Christian from the non-Christian, marking a change in life that is characterised by a rejection of sin and a corresponding personal holiness.

The born-again experience is reported by nearly all evangelical leaders. The average age for this experience is 17, with 86% saying they were born again before the age of 30. This experience can be emotional, involving grief and sorrow for sin, followed by relief at receiving forgiveness.

Evangelicals believe that an assurance will accompany conversion. Individuals have testified to both sudden and gradual conversions, and this assurance is seen as a distinguishing factor between evangelicalism and other forms of Protestantism.

The born-again experience is not just a personal one; it is also a public one. Evangelicals believe in the importance of sharing their faith and testifying to their conversion experience with others, as a way to lead others to Christ. This is in line with their belief in the need to proselytise and spread the "good news".

The born-again experience is a powerful and transformative moment in the life of an evangelical. It is a public declaration of faith and a commitment to living a life pleasing to God. It is a call to action, to spread the gospel and make disciples of all nations.

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Spreading the gospel

Evangelicals believe in the importance of spreading this 'good news' through proselytization or evangelization. This involves actively expressing and sharing the gospel in diverse ways, including preaching and social action. Evangelicals believe that it is their duty to encourage non-Christians to trust in Jesus Christ as their saviour.

The process of personal conversion involves a complete surrender to Jesus Christ, often referred to as being born again. This conversion is guided by the Bible, which evangelicals believe to be the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God.

Evangelical preachers emphasize personal salvation and piety over ritual and tradition. They stress the necessity of an inward transformation of heart, marked by both a rejection of sin and a corresponding personal holiness of life.

Evangelicalism gained significant momentum during the Great Awakening in the United States and Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries. During this time, revivals led by preachers such as Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield inspired ordinary men and women to share the gospel and convert others outside the control of established churches.

In modern times, evangelicals continue to spread the gospel through large gatherings, such as those led by Billy Graham, and through mission work, both domestically and globally.

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The second coming of Christ

Evangelicalism, or evangelical Christianity, is a worldwide interdenominational movement within Protestant Christianity that emphasises evangelisation. The term 'evangelical' comes from the Greek word for 'good news', and evangelicals believe that the Gospel story of salvation from sin is this good news.

Evangelicals believe in the second coming of Christ, and see it as a source of hope and a confirmation that God is in control of all things. The second coming of Christ will be the return of Christ to earth to fulfil the remaining prophecies regarding the Messiah. In his first coming, Jesus was the suffering servant, but in his second coming, he will be the conquering king.

At the end of this tribulation, Jesus Christ will return to establish the Messianic Kingdom on earth. This will last for a thousand years, during which Satan will be bound. At the end of this thousand-year period, there will be an uprising, and God will cast Satan into the lake of fire. After this, there will be a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness is the norm, and God will be present among all the redeemed.

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The role of the church

The church plays a significant role in the lives of evangelicals, who are found across many Protestant branches and denominations worldwide. The word "church" has several meanings among evangelicals. It can refer to the universal church, encompassing all Christians, or to a local congregation, which is the visible representation of the invisible church. Many evangelical traditions adhere to the doctrine of the believers' church, which teaches that one becomes a member of the church through the new birth and profession of faith.

Evangelicals believe in the Bible as the final authority for Christians and view it as the objective, authoritative word of God. They emphasise the importance of following the teachings of Christ in their personal and family lives. The conversion process is guided by the Bible, and evangelicals believe that individuals must accept salvation for themselves, often referred to as being born again. This conversion experience can be emotional and life-changing, marking a rejection of sin and a commitment to personal holiness.

The church is responsible for teaching and administering sacraments such as baptism and the Lord's Supper, with some evangelicals also counting footwashing as an ordinance. Infant baptism is practised in some evangelical traditions, such as Anglican, Methodist, and Reformed, while others stress the necessity of personal conversion later in life.

Evangelical churches vary in their forms of church government, with some operating according to episcopal or presbyterian polity, but the most common form is congregational polity, especially among non-denominational churches. Many churches are members of national and international denominations, cooperating in areas such as humanitarian aid, education, and social support.

Evangelical worship practices are diverse, including liturgical, contemporary, charismatic, and seeker-sensitive styles. Services are typically led by a Christian pastor and include congregational singing, a sermon, intercessory prayer, and other ministries. Places of worship are usually called churches, but some megachurches refer to their buildings as "campuses." The architecture is generally characterised by sobriety, with the Latin cross being one of the few spiritual symbols displayed.

In some countries where religious freedom is restricted, evangelical Christians may meet in secret, holding services in private houses or rented spaces. The main Christian feasts celebrated by evangelicals include Christmas, Pentecost, and Easter.

Evangelical churches have been involved in establishing schools, colleges, and universities, as well as parachurch organisations and humanitarian aid initiatives. They also promote social activism, addressing issues such as social justice, abortion, and support for young mothers.

Overall, the church plays a central role in shaping the beliefs and practices of evangelicals, providing spiritual guidance, education, and opportunities for service and outreach.

Frequently asked questions

Evangelicals believe in the Bible as God's word and that it is the final authority for Christians. They believe in being "born again" or converting to Christianity, and in spreading the gospel message. They also believe in the rapture and end times, and that Jesus will one day return to judge all people.

Evangelicals have a clearer set of beliefs that distinguish them from mainline Protestants. While evangelicals believe the Bible is inerrant, mainline Protestants read it as a historical document that needs to be interpreted for each age. Evangelicals also believe that salvation can only be achieved through faith in Jesus Christ, while mainline Protestants believe that there may be other ways to salvation.

The term "evangelical" comes from the Greek word "evangelion", meaning "good news". The origins of modern evangelicalism are usually traced to 1738, with various theological streams contributing to its foundation, including Pietism, Puritanism, and Quakerism.

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