I want to know the primary differences in beliefs that set evangelical christians apart other protestant groups. So far I haven't found any differences although I have to admit that I find the behavior of some of them to be a little strange if not outright frightening.
Serious (and factual) answers please!!!!
2007-06-12 14:28:25 · 10 answers · asked by Ambrielle 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
They seem to take the bible literally, rather than see the allegory in it.
They actually believe that the earth is only 6000 years old (even the Pope doesn't believe those children's stories)
The believe that the messiah will return to earth very soon and there will be Armageddon in the middle east.
All those who don't believe in Jesus get left behind and only the evangelical Christians go to heaven.
They believe something about speaking in tongues as well.
2007-06-12 14:34:09 · answer #1 · answered by Morey000 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The line between evangelical and fundamentalist Protestants seems to be getting more and more blurred. I'm not sure if that's coming from them, or the news media also being a little confused about the differences and using the terms interchangably.
They share some characteristics, but fundamentalists generally interpret the Bible much more literally; when you think of "fire and brimstone"-type Christians, that's usually fundamentalism. They also have in common with evangelicals a) salvation by faith in Jesus Christ through personal conversion, b) belief in the authority of Scripture alone, and c) an emphasis on preaching the Word.
Some evangelicals will buttonhole strangers on the street and inquire about their relationship with Jesus, some do not. Basically, they believe it's not just important to get the word out but that Christ has commissioned all believers to do so.
2007-06-12 21:57:13 · answer #2 · answered by Clare † 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fundamentalist were strong about 30 years ago. They believed in a literal interpretation of the Bible and were strong on issues of Holiness. Out of that came Evangelical Christianity. These believe in a more literal interpretation of the Bible. But, they also have a strong emphasis on grace. It most often includes any Christian denomination today that believes in a more traditional, literal interpretation of the Bible. The believe that the Bible is the ultimate authority and there is a certain set of beliefs that they believe. Some of these include: God exists. Jesus came to earth just like the Bible says. Things like that.
So, probably I would say that most protestant groups today are considered evangelical. So the primary difference is the authority of the Bible. Those churches that are not considered "evangelical" have a more loose and maybe metaphorical interpretation of the Bible.
2007-06-12 23:13:14 · answer #3 · answered by DrThorne 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Barna defines it this way:
“Born again Christians" are defined as people who said they have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their life today and who also indicated they believe that when they die they will go to Heaven because they had confessed their sins and had accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. Respondents are not asked to describe themselves as "born again."
“Evangelicals" meet the born again criteria (described above) plus seven other conditions. Those include
saying their faith is very important in their life today;
believing they have a personal responsibility to share their religious beliefs about Christ with non-Christians;
believing that Satan exists;
believing that eternal salvation is possible only through grace, not works;
believing that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth;
asserting that the Bible is accurate in all that it teaches;
and describing God as the all-knowing, all-powerful, perfect deity who created the universe and still rules it today.
Being classified as an evangelical is not dependent upon church attendance or the denominational affiliation of the church attended.
2007-06-12 21:56:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are several varieties of Evangelicals, so there is no one answer. But if you are referring to the Born Again batch, from much exposure to them in my family, I can tell you that they are basically people who live in fear. They fear science, progress, knowledge that doesn't come from the Bible (Old testament), people of other cultures and, most of all, they fear those that live decently and honestly but don't require the threat of hell to make them do so.
I have encountered many wonderful, giving and open Christians in this world. But I find that those who wave their book at me like a talisman and damn others for their differences are not actually Christians at all. Usually they believe that the poor deserve to live in misery and God loves only the wealthy and successful.
They would likely hang Jesus were he to return. At the very least, they would not recognize him.
Sorry if this offends some; but it is what I see before me.
2007-06-12 21:37:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is a broad catch-all phrase that can be used to describe a large number of different protestant sects.
I'm not trying to be a smart-mouth, but I looked up "evangelical" in the dictionary, and the dictionary definition seemed to be self-explanatory and fairly accurate.
Think of people like Billy Graham, Phillip Yancey, and publications like "Christianity Today" magazine, you will have a general idea of who the evangelicals are, and what we are generally like.
===edit===
Evangelical
1. Also, e·van·gel·ic. pertaining to or in keeping with the gospel and its teachings.
2. belonging to or designating the Christian churches that emphasize the teachings and authority of the Scriptures, esp. of the New Testament, in opposition to the institutional authority of the church itself, and that stress as paramount the tenet that salvation is achieved by personal conversion to faith in the atonement of Christ.
3. designating Christians, esp. of the late 1970s, eschewing the designation of fundamentalist but holding to a conservative interpretation of the Bible.
4. pertaining to certain movements in the Protestant churches in the 18th and 19th centuries that stressed the importance of personal experience of guilt for sin, and of reconciliation to God through Christ.
2007-06-12 21:35:58 · answer #6 · answered by Randy G 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Be careful......
The Land Letter was a letter sent to President George W. Bush by five evangelical Christian leaders on October 3, 2002 which outlined their theological support for a just war pre-emptive invasion of Iraq. The letter was written by Richard D. Land, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. It was co-signed by Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship Ministries, Bill Bright, chairman of Campus Crusade for Christ, James Kennedy, president of Coral Ridge Ministries, and Carl D. Herbster, president of the American Association of Christian Schools.
2007-06-12 21:32:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Trying to understand a brainwashed religious fanatic is like trying to figure out the inner workings of a crazy person. The ones that are just in it for the money are easier to understand. They are simply greedy scam artists.
2007-06-12 21:57:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
actually all protestants are by and large EVANGELICAL.
what is evangelical? it means the nature of telling people about God, about Jesus in this case.
protestants are in many denominations - baptists, methodists, anglicans, charasmatics, free-denominational, lutheran etc.
although we are all in different denominations and have differing traditions and practices, these things do not really concern us. because who we really believe in IS JESUS CHRIST HiMSELF.
when we come together, though we differ, we can still pray together to the same God we believe in. :)
2007-06-12 21:36:42 · answer #9 · answered by sylll 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
We actually believe in Jesus Christ, unlike most of you.
2007-06-12 21:34:45 · answer #10 · answered by Creepy 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋