Evangelical
/ˌiːvænˈdʒɛlɪkəl/
Definitions
2 meaningsRelating to or denoting a Christian church of any tradition that emphasizes the authority of the Bible, the importance of believing in Jesus Christ, and the practice of evangelism.
/ˌiːvænˈdʒɛlɪkəl/
Relating to the gospel or to the beliefs and practices of some Protestant churches.
Many evangelical Christians believe in the importance of spreading their faith.
💡 Simply: Imagine a group of Christians who are really excited about sharing their faith and believe the Bible is super important. That's evangelical! They like talking about Jesus and spreading the word.
👶 For kids: It means someone who really likes to tell other people about Jesus and the Bible!
More Examples
The conference attracted evangelical leaders from across the country.
She grew up in an evangelical household.
How It's Used
"Evangelical churches place a strong emphasis on biblical authority and personal faith."
"The evangelical vote is often a significant factor in US politics."
A member of an evangelical church or group.
/ˌiːvænˈdʒɛlɪkəl/
A member of an evangelical church.
The church has a large congregation of evangelicals.
💡 Simply: An evangelical is someone who belongs to a church that focuses on sharing the good news about Jesus and the Bible.
👶 For kids: It means someone who is part of a group of Christians who love to tell people about Jesus!
More Examples
Many evangelicals are politically active.
She identifies as an evangelical and is involved in her community.
How It's Used
"Evangelicals are known for their strong emphasis on personal conversion."
"The views of evangelicals on social issues vary widely."
Idioms & expressions
evangelical Christianity
A branch of Protestant Christianity characterized by an emphasis on personal conversion (or being "born again") through faith in Jesus Christ, the Bible as the ultimate authority, and the active sharing of one's faith (evangelism).
"Evangelical Christianity has a significant influence on American politics."
the evangelical right
A political movement composed primarily of evangelical Christians who are associated with conservative political views, especially on social issues.
"The evangelical right plays a major role in Republican politics in the US."
From Late Latin *evangelicus*, from Greek *euangelikos* meaning 'bringing good news' or 'relating to the gospel'. It stems from *euangelion*, meaning 'good news' or 'gospel'. The term evolved to describe individuals or groups emphasizing the importance of personal conversion and spreading the Christian gospel.
The term gained significant prominence in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in connection with the Great Awakening and the spread of Protestant denominations emphasizing personal conversion and the importance of the Bible.
Memory tip
Think of someone who is 'eager to spread the gospel'. Evangelicals want to evangelize, so they are evangelical.