Evangelicalism

Evangelicalism is a massive, worldwide movement within Protestant Christianity.

It is often called evangelical Christianity or evangelical Protestantism. The term itself comes from the Koine Greek word *euangelion*. This word means "good news." For followers, this news refers to the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. Because the movement includes so many different groups, scholars often debate its exact definition. Some critics argue the term covers too many diverse beliefs to be a single, unified movement.

To understand how evangelicalism works, historians often look at a "quadrilateral" of four core priorities.

The first is conversionism. This is the belief that a person must experience a personal change, often called being "born again." This experience involves repentance, which means turning away from sin. The second priority is biblicism. This is a deep reverence for the Bible as the ultimate authority. Many evangelicals believe in biblical inerrancy, meaning they believe the text is without error. The third is crucicentrism. This places the death and resurrection of Jesus at the very center of the faith. Finally, there is activism. This is the drive to share the gospel through preaching or social action.

These beliefs manifest in many different types of church structures.

Evangelicalism is transdenominational. This means it is not limited to one single tradition. You can find evangelicals in Baptist, Methodist, and Pentecostal movements. They are also present in Reformed traditions like Presbyterianism and Congregationalism. Some belong to Anglicanism, Lutheranism, or the Plymouth Brethren. Many of these groups follow congregational polity. This is a system where the local congregation helps govern its own affairs. Others may use episcopal or presbyterian structures to manage their churches.

The history of this movement has several important stages. Its theological roots began with the Protestant Reformation in 16th-century Europe. During that time, reformers emphasized the authority of Scripture. However, the modern movement is generally dated to around 1738. It was influenced by groups like the Pietists, Puritans, Quakers, and Moravians. Nicolaus Zinzendorf and the Herrnhut community were very important during this era. Later, the movement gained massive momentum during the First Great Awakening. Figures like John Wesley and George Whitefield were central to this growth.

The movement has grown significantly over the last few centuries. It had a strong presence in the Anglosphere, especially in the United Kingdom and the United States. During the 19th and 20th centuries, it expanded globally. Today, the scale of the movement is quite large. The World Evangelical Alliance claims there are 600 million believers in 2025. This accounts for roughly one in four Christians worldwide. In the United States, evangelicals represent about one quarter of the total population. They are the largest religious group in that country.

Many notable leaders have shaped the history of evangelicalism.

These individuals include George Fox, Jonathan Edwards, and William J. Seymour. Other influential names are Billy Graham, John Stott, and Luis Palau. Leaders like Gudina Tumsa and Francisco Olazábal also played roles. These people helped spread the movement across different cultures and continents. Their work contributed to the diverse global presence seen today.

Evangelicalism connects to many broader social and religious systems. It is often linked to various reform efforts and missionary impulses. The term "evangelical" is sometimes used even outside of religion. For example, it can describe a generic impulse to reform or redeem something. Within the church, it connects to the idea of the "believers' Church." This doctrine teaches that membership comes through a personal profession of faith. This idea originated with the Anabaptists during the Radical Reformation. Today, these connections continue through many voluntary religious groups and organizations.