Evangelical theology is the teaching and doctrine that relates to spiritual matters inevangelical Christianity andChristian theology. The main points concern the place of the Bible, the Trinity, worship, salvation, sanctification, charity, evangelism and the end of time.
Various evangelical Christian denominations differ in their doctrine, with Churches variously teachingWesleyan-Arminian theology,Reformed theology, orBaptist theology. Other evangelical bodies, such as theEvangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil,Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ukraine and theEvangelical Friends Church International, may subscribe to what they see as the orthodox theology espoused by their historic tradition, such asLutheranism,Presbyterianism orQuakerism, respectively.[1][2][3]
There are various nuances when comparing Christian denominations that claim to be evangelical, though many of them would adhere to the doctrine of thebelievers' Church, as withAnabaptists,Baptists andPentecostals. Evangelical theology is also found within the denominations ofmainline Protestantism.
Evangelical theology brings together the main common theological aspects, which can be found in theconfessions of faith adopted by theevangelicalChristian denominations.[4]
Evangelical Christianity brings together different theological movements, the main ones beingfundamentalist ormoderateconservative andliberal.[5][6]
Despite the nuances in the various evangelical movements, there is a similar set of beliefs for movements adhering to the doctrine of theBelievers' Church, the main ones beingAnabaptists,Baptists andPentecostals.[7][8][9][10][11][12]
TheBible is considered to beinspired by God Himself and is the sovereign authority in theChristian faith.[13][14]
When Paul, therefore, declares that "all writing" is the product of the divine breath, "holds his breath of God" (2 Timothy 3:16), he asserts that Scripture is a product of a very specific divine operation.[15] It is therefore important to note that the Greek does not carry the meaning that the terms of the Bible have been "infused" into human writers, but rather that it breathes God.[15] Divine revelation is a kind of perpetual flow of the creative power of God. In other words, it is considered that God "oversaw" the writing of every line of the Bible so that it contains a message in human language sent by God using the human intellect, writing styles and writing talent – this notion is calledBiblical inspiration.[15] The believer is dependent on the Holy Spirit to have a good understanding of the texts. The Bible is considered as a life manual that concerns all aspects of life.[16] Often called "the Word of God" or "scripture", it is considered infallible and, in some evangelical circles, without error – this notion is calledbiblical inerrancy.[17] This is sometimes interpreted in a very literal way within certain movements, in particular the most conservative ones with prominent beliefs often referred to as ultraconservative and fundamentalist movements. With the development of moderate evangelical theology in the 1940s in the United States,[18] the study of theBible has been combined with disciplines such ashermeneutics,exegesis,epistemology andapologetics.[19][20]
Evangelical churches and denominations have aTrinitarian theology,[21][22] and as in almost every major Christian stream of thought, the God of creation is eternally present and revealed in three divine Persons, namely, the Father (Almighty God), the Son (or'Only Son' – literalμονογενης,monogenes,'unique begotten', Jesus Christ); and the Holy Spirit. The insistence of evangelicals, based on their beliefs found in the Gospels, differs from Catholicism in that evangelicals "only wish to justify this creed on the basis of biblical passages or concepts" and not onTradition or theCouncils (believing that the birth of this dogma is often attached to theCouncil of Nicaea, which took place at the beginning of the 4th century).
Evangelicals normally adhere (at least informally) to theNicene Creed (381) defining the relational differentiation of God, both one and triune, as well as the principle of unity and identity, in the case of the two natures, in the person of Christ (christology),[23] as well as the positions of theFirst Council of Nicaea (and not at the council itself) which condemnArianism. Before the Council of Nicaea, the idea of the Trinity was not an official teaching of the Church but had been the topic of many early Christian teachings. The Nicene Creed put in place once and for all the idea of Trinitarian theology as is believed to be true by most Christian believers. Nevertheless, most evangelical churches, in order to avoid any unnecessary controversy, often posit that the mystery of the exact relations between the three divine persons is beyond any human reason, and will not encourage speculative theology concerning the subject of the Trinity beyond that which is not immediately deductible from the Bible.
TheVirgin Mary is so called because she was a virgin before the birth of Jesus but the evangelicals believe that she had other biological children, the brothers and sisters of Jesus quoted in theGospels (Mark 6:3). She is recognized as "MariaChristotokos" ('Mother of Christ') and is considered a model of faith, humility and obedience to God. Some evangelicals refute the name of "Theotokos" ('Mother of God') of theCouncil of Ephesus (431) to avoid any confusion with theMarian devotion found in the Roman Catholic Church, but most evangelical theologians accept this formulation from a theoretical point of view by relying on the principle of communicating idioms and considering that rejecting it would amount to denying the uniqueness of the person of Christ; they generally complete it cautiously with a "according to its human nature".[24]
Evangelicals almost universally reject the idea that Mary isco-redemptor ormediator, as well as theImmaculate Conception, theDormition and theAssumption, considering them as biblically unjustified, as well as any form of Marian piety as practiced by the Catholic Church.
This Trinitarian conception of God has various consequences in the evangelicalChristian faith:
To evangelicals, like other Christians,God, is thecreator of heaven and earth.[25] Moreover, God is presented as a lovingFather, and the relation of the human to God must necessarily be that of a child vis-à-vis his father.[26]
Jesus is considered perfectly man and perfectly God (Christology). This component of the Trinity, has a resonance and particular consequences for the evangelicals
TheHoly Spirit (orSpirit of God) God as Spirit is considered to be fully God. It is the eternal manifestation of God in the human dimension. It is the presence of the Spirit that Jesus promised in the Gospel to those who would be converted, attested by the first witnesses of Christ (Acts of the Apostles chapter 2).[31]
All evangelical movements consider that theHoly Spirit is present and working in the personal stories of each believer, as well as in the future of the universal Church. As a stakeholder in theconversion of the individual, it is also considered to be the origin of various gifts, which vary a great deal from the New Testament writings, but it is common in theCharismatic movement emphasize on one gifts delivered by the Spirit.[32] The gifts of the Holy Spirit are 9; creative gifts (writing and the arts), pastoral gifts (community guidance and guidance), apostolic gifts (preaching, teaching), prophetic gifts (prophecy in its various forms), prodigious gifts (wonders and miracles).[33]
Evangelical Christianity, particularly in thePentecostal,Evangelical charismatic, andNeo-charismatic movements, places an emphasis on the Spirit and its action in human lives and in the church.[34]
The evangelicals refute those designated as holy by the Catholic and Orthodox Churches because assimilating the worship ofveneration, that gives these churches to the saints thus designated, and also particularly the worship toMary,necromancy andidolatry.[35] They are based on theTen Commandments.[36]
For the evangelicals,Satan and hisdemons are responsible forcurses and temptations tosins.[37]
Evangelicals believe that every sinful person by nature must endure an eternal punishment inhell, but that by faith in Jesus (though not by the merit of their good works committed in thisfaith), they can attainsalvation and go toparadise.[38]
Inevangelical Christianity, the believer isjustified by faith throughgrace (Ephesians 2:8). Salvation is the condition for access toparadise.[39] Salvation by faith is a personal decision and commitment.[40][41] In theReformed view, the believer is saved by theimputed righteousness of Christ; all the merits of Christ are imputed to the believer by faith.[42]
Thenew birth, this personal encounter withJesus Christ that unfolds at the conversion of the believer, is considered a true passage from spiritual death to spiritual life.[43] This concept is based on John 3:3 "Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again", and John 10:10. Then speak of "born again Christians" (see 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Galatians 6:15). The believer's meet with Jesus and the decision to give them his life marks an important change in an evangelical's life.[44] It meansrepentance, which is recognition, confession and renunciation ofsin.[45] For the majority of evangelical Christians, thenew birth occurs before theBeliever's baptism, by immersion in the water.[46]
Methodists (inclusive of theholiness movement) defineBaptism of the Holy Spirit as synonymous with the second work of grace,entire sanctification, in which a person is made perfect in love and free from original sin.[47][48]
Pentecostals teach that a baptism of the Holy Spirit as a crisis event accompanied byglossolalia and allows an experimentation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.[49]
The evangelical charismatic and the Neo-charismatic movement teach thatbaptism of the Holy Spirit is a crisis experience.[citation needed] However, speaking in tongues (glossolalia) is not the only proof of this spiritual event. The believer may have received the other eight gifts of the Holy Spirit set forth in 1 Corinthians 12–14.[50][51]
For the majority ofBaptists, baptism of the Holy Spirit is synonymous with the New Birth.[52]
Thesanctification of the believer is the process by which a person dedicates himself to God and chooses to refuse thesin, by thegrace of God after thenew birth.[53] There are two evangelical positions on sanctification, progressive sanctification and whole sanctification.[54]
Progressive sanctification is the work of sanctification of the believer throughgrace and the decisions of the believer after thenew birth.[54] This is the position of some evangelical denominations, such as Baptist churches and some Pentecostal denominations of theFinished Work Pentecostal variety such as theAssemblies of God and theFoursquare Church.[55][56]
Entire sanctification, also known asChristian perfection, is a second work of grace subsequent to thenew birth in which an individual is madeperfect in love and free fromoriginal sin.[57][54] This is the position ofMethodist denominations (inclusive of theholiness movement), as well asHoliness Pentecostal denominations, such as theInternational Pentecostal Holiness Church,Church of God (Cleveland) andChurch of God in Christ.[58] These denominations affirm agrowth in grace before and after entire sanctification that is accomplished "through a consistent Christian life of faith and good works."[59][60]
According to Reformed theology,good works are the consequence of thesalvation and not its justification.[61] They are the sign of a sincere and grateful faith. They include actions for theGreat Commission, that is,evangelism, service in theChurch and tocharity.[62] They will be rewarded with the grace of God at thelast judgment.[63]
In contrast, the Methodist Churches (inclusive of theholiness movement), teach:[64]
...after a man is saved and has genuine faith, his works are important if he is to keep justified.
146) James 2:20-22, "But wilt thou known, O vain main, that faith without (apart from) works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou faith wrought with works, and by works was faith made perfect? —A Catechism on the Christian Religion: The Doctrines of Christianity with Special Emphasis on Wesleyan Concepts[64]
The local evangelical church is the organization that represents theuniversal Church and is seen by evangelicals as the body ofJesus Christ.[65] It is responsible for teaching and ordinances, mainly thebeliever's baptism and theLord's Supper,[66] and occasionally others, such asfoot-washing. Each church has a particularconfession of faith and a common confession of faith if it is a member of adenomination.[67] Some denominations are members of a national alliance of churches of theWorld Evangelical Alliance.[68]
Commonministries within evangelical congregations arepastor,elder,deacon,evangelist andworship leader.[69] The ministry ofbishop with a function of supervision over churches on a regional or national scale is present in many the evangelicalChristian denominations, even if the titlespresident of the council orgeneral overseer are mainly used for this function.[70][71] The termbishop is explicitly used in certain denominations.[72] Some evangelical denominations operate according toepiscopal polity orpresbyterian polity. However, the most common form of church government within evangelicalism iscongregational polity. This is especially common amongnon-denominational evangelical churches.[73]
Theworship service in evangelical churches is seen as an act of worship of God.[74] There is noliturgy, as the conception of worship service is more informal.[75] It usually contains two main parts, thepraise (Christian music) and thesermon, with periodically theLord's Supper.[76][77] TheLatin cross is one of the only spiritual symbols that can usually be seen on the building of an evangelical church and that identifies the place's belonging.[78][79] Because of their understanding of the second of theTen Commandments, evangelicals do not have religious material representations such as statues,icons, or paintings in their places of worship.[80][81]
The main Christian feasts celebrated by evangelicals areChristmas,Pentecost (by a majority of evangelical denominations) andEaster for all believers.[82][83][84]
For evangelicals, themission is based on theGreat Commission given by Jesus, to share theGood News ofKingdom of God, to form disciples and tobaptize the believers. In churches, there are programs of evangelism, local and international.[85] Most evangelicals believe that the conversion of hearts is the work of God alone, by his Holy Spirit (John 16:8), but also know that sharing faith with unbelievers is an act of gratitude for what God did for them (Matthew 10:32)[86] It takes shape in the distribution oftracts andBibles, the formation ofdisciples, support to churches andChristian humanitarian aid.[87] Various evangelicalmission organizations have specialized inevangelization throughout history.
Charity, concern for helping the needy, is one ofthree primary Christian virtues and a concept clearly established from theOld Testament.[88]It is expressed first in terms of financial generosity but also in terms of time spent. It is also considered very important by most evangelical churches. Some churches give large sums of money each year on humanitarian aid (food support, medical aid, education, etc.).
This value is at the origin of the modernChristian humanitarian aid.[89] At the beginning of the 20th century, theAmericanBaptistpastorWalter Rauschenbusch, leader of theSocial Gospel movement, developed the importance ofsocial justice and humanitarian actions in evangelical churches.[90] The majority of evangelical Christian humanitarian organizations were founded in the second half of the 20th century.[91] Among the most important areInternational Justice Mission,Prison Fellowship International,Samaritan's Purse,Mercy Ships,World Vision International.[92] The majority of Christian NGOs help everyone, regardless of religion.[93]
It is a belief in Christianity in general and in other monotheistic religions that at the end of time there will be alast judgment by God.[94] Jesus Christ will come back personally, corporeally, and visibly. While other religions and branches of Christianity conceive that they will be judged on the basis of their actions, an important point of evangelical Christianity is to believe that humans will be judged on their faith, namely on their acceptance or not of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord when they heard the Christian gospel in their lifetime.Good works are the consequence of thesalvation and will be rewarded by the grace of God at thelast judgment.[63]
Some evangelicals upholdcovenant theology, while others aredispensationalists.[95] They divide history into seven major periods (dispensations). These seven periods are:[96]
Thus, most of them believe in thesecond coming of Christ, or, for some, to its imminence that would then proceed toRapture of the Church. According to them, at first, the Church will be removed (1 Thessalonians 4:16–18) and thus preserved judgments that will affect the world (Book of Revelation 3:10) for seven years; then the Church will be united to the Messiah (Revelation 19:7–8) before he comes to establish themillennium (Revelation 20:1–6): peace on Earth, after which will come theLast Judgment (Revelation 20:11–15), theend times and the entry into a new world (Revelations 21:1).
A particularly controversial doctrine among evangelical Churches is that ofprosperity theology, which spread in the 1970s and 1980s in the United States, mainly throughtelevangelism.[99] This doctrine is centered on the teaching ofChristian faith as a means to enrich oneself financially and materially, through a "positive confession" and a contribution to Christian ministries.[100] Promises ofdivine healing andprosperity are guaranteed in exchange for certain amounts of donations.[101][102][103] Fidelity in thetithe would allow one to avoid the curses of God, the attacks of the devil and poverty.[104][105][106] Offerings and tithing occupies a lot of time in worship services.[107] Often associated with the mandatory tithe, this doctrine is sometimes compared to areligious business.[108][109][110][105] It is criticized by pastors and church unions, such as the National Council of Evangelicals of France.[111][112]
Another example of a Western denomination actively starting new churches in Ukraine is the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a conservative denomination that left the mainline Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1973. Through its mission agency, Mission to the World (MTW), the PCA has been working in Ukraine since 1994 and now has 10 churches in that country. Two of these are now officially independent, while the other eight are at various stages of development, from small Bible studies to a mission church with a Ukrainian pastor and board. These churches have formed a new Ukrainian denomination, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ukraine (EPCU), which is led by Ukrainian pastors and elders. ... The Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ukraine is an example of a small evangelical denomination (fewer than 1,500 members in all churches combined) whose size cannot compare to the much larger Baptist or charismatic movements. Nevertheless, it contributes to the complex, growing mosaic of Protestant churches in Ukraine. The flagship EPCU congregation in Odesa meets in a restored church building originally constructed at the end of the nineteenth century by a Reformed congregation with French, German, and Swiss members.
Protestants and evangelicals in Brazil form an American-based religious group. ... An example is the IELB (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil), a Lutheran church linked to the Missouri Synod, in the USA.
Contemporary Quakers worldwide are predominantly evangelical and are often referred to as the Friends Church. This evangelicalism can be defined in terms of its theology and in the structure of its worship services, which often resemble evangelical Protestant services with a sermon by a pastor and singing. Theologically, evangelical Friends emphasize evangelism; charismatic of heart-felt worship; a belief in human depravity and the need for redemption; and, especially among Majority World evangelical Friends, the couping of spiritual and social ministries. The majority of Quakers in Europe and North America are evangelical and programmed. Nearly all Majority World Quakers in Europe are evangelical and programmed. Among Quakers who identify as being evangelical Christians are those who belong to Yearly Meetings or organizations that include the title "evangelical," as in Evangelical Friends Church International.
The Methodists were also first to coin the phrase baptism of the Holy Spirit as applied to a second and sanctifying grace (experience) of God. (Cf. John Fletcher of Madeley, Methodism's earliest formal theologian.) The Methodists meant by their "baptism" something different from the Pentecostals, but the view that this is an experience of grace separate from and after salvation was the same.
