The word "evangelical" floats around in churches, the media and particularly this year's election but Americans often have no idea what an evangelical is, a new study shows.
As Christians themselves still have a hard time agreeing on what exactly defines an evangelical, Ellison Research asked the average adult American what they believe is an "evangelical Christian." Thirty-six percent of them said they had no idea.
"I'm not sure; all I can think of is Billy Graham," said one 40 year-old woman from Florida who does not attend worship services, in the survey.
"I am not sure, and I am a Christian," said a 55-year-old man from Indiana.
Although Americans who would call themselves evangelical were much more likely to have an actual definition for the word than others, the survey, released Wednesday, found that 14 percent of those self-described evangelicals couldn't guess what an evangelical is.
Evangelical leaders were also asked to provide a definition.
Richard Cizik, vice president for Governmental Affairs at the National Association of Evangelicals, gave a three-fold definition: "(1) the Bible is authoritative (i.e., infallible and inerrant in original autographs) in faith and practice; (2) born-again experience (i.e., a conversion to believe in and follow Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord through rebirth by the Holy Spirit); (3) shares this message of faith with others through evangelism and social witness."
He admitted, however, that even his three-fold test is not perfect.
Dr. Leon Morris from the World Evangelical Alliance described an evangelical as "a gospel man" or woman – someone who makes the Gospel of Christ central to his or her preaching, thinking and living.
Those most unlikely to know the definition of an evangelical were people who attend Roman Catholic worship services, people who do not attend any sort of worship, political moderates, Democrats and independents, according to Ellison Research, which surveyed 1,007 Americans adults. Younger Americans were also less likely to have even a guess.
The most common perception Americans have of an evangelical is that they evangelize. According to the study, 18 percent said an evangelical is a Christian who tries to spread his or her faith. Of those who associated evangelicals with evangelism, some described it as proselytizing and others saw it in a more positive light – telling others about Jesus.
Some Americans defined evangelicals as just a specific type of Christian – whether it's Protestant, born-again, charismatic or spirit-filled, liberal, modern, white, etc. Nine percent held this perception.
"A born again, conservative, fundamentalist Christian," a 22-year-old self-described evangelical man from California responded. "I believe it's a Baptist," said a woman from Nevada.
Another 9 percent said evangelicals are just Christians who are particularly devoted or zealous about their faith (although not to the point of fanaticism), and are totally sold out to their beliefs.
"I think an evangelical Christian is someone who does not waver on their beliefs in the truth of the Word of God (the Bible) and the presence of God in our country," a 35-year-old woman, who attends a non-denominational church and calls herself an evangelical, said. "I believe they are more concerned about what God thinks of them than what the world thinks of them and are willing to say what needs to be said to fight to keep God in our country."
One 22-year-old woman who does not attend worship services and does not know any evangelicals said she believes an evangelical is "one who is very strong with their ideas about their faith and in turn might push those ideas onto others."
In other responses, 8 percent of Americans defined an evangelical as focusing strongly on the Bible, believing in the Bible as God's word and as inerrant, allowing the Bible to guide their lives, and believing in a literal interpretation of the Bible. Older Americans, Protestant churchgoers and political conservatives were more likely to give this response. Continue >>
RSS
Did Obama support the murder of Christians in Kenya? Aparently he raised $1 million dollars to his uncle who did.
reformation,
I agree. But when a man who makes 1.5 million a year is verbally accosted by "christians" as being carnal because he makes that much money, and yet they have no idea how he uses that money, the truth needs to be told.
I love it when people speak about how wealthy they are. How much money they make and how they give it towards advancing the Kingdom Of God? Do they really? Matt 6:1-4 say's " Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." I'm sure there's not many Job's out there! If God stripped most of these men from there riches, I wonder how many would truly say " The Lord gives and the Lord takes away." Who cares what you make and how much you have and may give, one may ask do you Truly Know The LORD JESUS CHRIST! And not in a knowing way most so-called confessing Evangelical christians say they do. Because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and FEW there be that find it.
And again, before people go off saying "Does he really need a $28 million dollar house?", ask yourself first if David in the Old Testament needed all his wealth? Or did Solomon need to be the richest man in the world? Or did Joseph need to be second in command of Egypt, the greatest kingdom of his time?
Seek God first. Let Him determine your blessings.
tallguy,
Usually there is. But I have been in business with men in their 20's and 30's who make six to seven figure income a year, and actually only work on average of 10-20 hours a week. But I do agree that that is not the majority.
One gentlaman, for example, (he's in his 50's though), makes enough that he lives on 10% of his income (literally) and gives the rest to missions, church, charity, etc. And paid cash to build a $28 million dollar house. And he's a Christian. Is he in sin? No. God chose him to be one who can make that kind of money so that he can, in turn, use it wisely to help others promote the gospel.
Hey Prophet, if someone makes a lot of money there is usually a tradeoff. I used to make twice what I make now which allowed me to easily buy more "stuff". But I was always on the road. I traveled the world all the way from Johannesburg to Saudi Arabia to the sands of Egypt to the oil sands of Ft McMurray, Alberta. It was interesting work, but I missed out on so many things at home which are way more important, like birthdays, recitals, time with family and friends.
Money is just money. What's important is if we can use our careers to advance God's Kingdom. Can we show Christ to others through the way we do the work that we do.
You're right, to sell it all and follow Christ is difficult. In writing this, it's making me have a greater appreciation for the brothers, monks, nuns that have literally done this.
Amen my friend <><...
"And here's a tough one... go and sell what you own, give the money to the poor, and come follow me. These are difficult words coming from Jesus.'
That's a bitter pill for most Christians to swallow...you and me included.
So, you would have no problem with a fellow Christian making twice what you make?
Prophet:
I work in electrical engineering and I make more in a year then you and your wife combined and I don't really care, I'm not motivated by money. I just received a raise which was nice, let's just say it keeps up with inflation. I thank God that he has created me with a resourceful mind which allows me to design electrical facilities for the oil and mining industries here in western Canada, I enjoy my job. I can use it for His glory by being a man of faith and making sure to be ethical in everything that I do. Be different, show an example of Christ in my daily interactions.
Still, I don't think that God is so concerned with my financial well being, but I know he is extremely concerned with my Spiritual wellbeing. Jesus told us that we are not to store up treasures on earth, but to store our treasures in heaven. And here's a tough one... go and sell what you own, give the money to the poor, and come follow me. These are difficult words coming from Jesus. He didn't say go get a bigger TV and spend your time watching the Miracle Channel, he said give the money to the poor, come follow me....
<><.... Pax Christi my friend
But the "Prosperity Gospel" can probably be wrapped up in one verse.
III John 1:2 "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."
God made Joseph second in command of Egypt.
Solomon was the richest man in the world.
Abraham was extremely wealthy.
None of them, including David, sought out riches. God chose to bless them because of their obedience to Him.
tallguy,
I assume you have a job. Have you ever turned down a promotion, or a raise? If you have accepted either, you fall into your own condemnation of prosperity.
tallguy,
You said "Prophet, try to explain to someone starving in Africa (or even right here in Canada or USA) why God "hasn't blessed them immensely".
If I could then I would know the mind of God. Try explaining how King David was a "man after God's own heart" and how God blessed him immeasurably.
God blesses whom He blesses.
My wife and I make a combined income of around $70K. To someone who makes $25K a year, that may seem like we're rich....but then again...the man living on welfare thinks the man making $25K a year is wealthy.
I will repeat. God blesses whom He chooses to bless. And yes, God is more concerned about our spiritual health than our materialistic things.
Pursue His righteousness, and let His blessings pursue you in whatever way He deems fit. Don't do it the other way around.
Well to begin, I will step on some toes, but it's necessary to tell the Truth here.
The Bible talks about Saints, but man doesn't appoint them God does. Now, is not all who accept Christ Jesus as their Lord a Saint? Do we need some man made 'process' to proclaim someone a Saint?
Now on teresa, she was satan's perfect weapon.
Under the guise of Love and Works, she told many "Just be the best Hindu you can be or Just be the best Muslim you can be and you will get to Heaven."
With her power of persuasion she led many down this false path to destruction. As Hitler led many to the Slaughter Physically; so did she Spiritually.
Teresa was not Saved. The catholic church leads many to damnation.
tallguy, I can somewhat relate to what igh is saying, I never had a New Testament until I was in the 8th grade and never had a Bible until I went to Catholic Seminary in the 9th grade. I attended Catholic school all the way from the 1st to the 10th grade. The only thing I had prior to that was the Missal which of course contained various passages from the Bible. It sounds like this has changed and I'm glad to hear that.