EVANGELICALISM & EVANGELICAL-IS-ME
Since (1) Evangelical Christianity is a widely recognized and used term, and (2) I consider one part of my own self to be Evangelical [although it is only a part, but I can't tear myself apart, so I'm Evangelical indeed, to certain extent :)], it would be nice to know what is this wierd thing - an Evangelicalism - and how I can relate to it (hence the mixed title "Evangelicalism/Evangelical-Is-Me")... Therefore here I will try to explain which Evangelicalism I belong to and which one I reject or, at least, don't like :)
As far as I can discern, there are approximately four types of Evangelicalism:
# 1:
Name/Label: the "denominational" or "extremely exclusive" Evangelicalism.
Self-Identification: here the Christians regard their own church and theological tradition as the Evangelical one, i.e. the most correct and fullest exposition of evangelical believes.
"Evangelical Identity Formula:"
Evangelicalism = OUR church + perhaps/hypothetically/somehow some other groupes of Christians thoroughly faithful to certain (it may vary) principles of a sort of fundamentalist Evangelical theology.
Representatives: some formerly dissent Evanelical Baptist churches in former Soviet Union and some small fundamentalist movements in the USA.
# 2:
Name/Label: "the multi-denominational," broad Evangelicalism.
Self-Identification: among the Evangelicals there may be counted multiple Christian churches rooted in or influenced by the ideas of the Radical Reformation and various British & American non-conformist movements: Anabaptists, Mennonites, Baptists, Pentecostals, Charismatics, etc.
"Evangelical Identity Formula:"
Evangelicalism = family of many contemporary Evangelical Churches which profess the highest authority of the Bible, the Reformation solae and other "Gospel values" =
= Baptists + other Baptists + more Baptists + these Pentecostals + those Pentecostals + Free Churches here + Free Churches there + ...
Representatives: the members of the Free Churches and the Assemblies of God, various Baptists, Pentecostals, Charismatics et alii.
# 3:
Name/Label: the "generalized Protestant" Evangelicalism.
Self-Identification: this view sees (quite correctly) the recovery of the Gospel of salvation by grace through faith alone during the German and Swiss Reformations as both the core and the unifying principle of Evangelical/Protestant movement.
"Evangelical Identity Formula:"
Evangelicalism = the 'Classical' Protestant Churches + the majority/all/some of the 'Radical' Protestants and the Free Church movement =
= the Lutherans + the Reformed + the Anglicans + the Mennonites + the Evangelicals of group # 2, with some suspicion and selection though... :)
Representatives: usually all the aforementioned.
# 4:
Name/Label: the "widely inclusive" and cross-denominational Evangelicalism.
Self-Identification: Evangelical identity is seen in a general attitude of Christians towards the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Christian life. As it was expressed by J.I. Packer,
“Evangelicals, though historically hesitant to call themselves catholic because of what they see as incomplete Christianity among those, Roman and Anglican, who claim the name, are as catholic in purpose as anyone else, and their reluctance to use the label is a pity, just as it is a pity that self styled Anglican Catholics who love the Lord Jesus should hesitate to call themselves evangelicals."Evangelical Identity Formula:"
The essence of evangelicalism, as today’s scholars usually define it, is bible-based, cross-centered, commitment-oriented, and mission-focused: four qualities that, one way or another have marked the Christian Church as such since it began (if you doubt me, look at St. Paul!).”
Evangelicalism = all the Christians who believe, trust in and love the Gospel of Jesus Christ regardless their Church affiliations and denominations.
Representatives: usually some small groupes of "Evangelical Catholics" or "Ecumenical Churches" belonging to certain churches (e.g. the Northumbria Community in the U.K.) and some individual Christians: often either scholars or widely-thinking laypeople.
I personally adhere to the last view, because to my mind this is the most Christian, the most acceptable, the most unifying definition of Evangelicalism which is open to followers of Christ from any denomination - whether Roman Catholic, Anglican, Baptist, Eastern Orthodox, Pentecostal or anything else - and despite various differences and discrepancies between these denominations. Mutual hospitality, love and faithfulness to Christ's teaching are one of the most crucial Christian virtues. At least, I think so...
