I've always thought of "evangelical" in it's most basic sense: believing in the "good news" of the gospels, and believing that it's a Christian's duty to spread that good news.
I used to think this meant the standard thing of preaching at people, telling them what they should believe. But over the years I have come to realize that it's better to try and live my beliefs and be open about them, but not push them. Show, not tell.
But "Evangelical" with a capital "E" is something quite different, and has taken on political overtones that I don't care for. I think you are right about the basic beliefs of most "E"vangelicals.
Many evangelicals, both the big names and rank-and-file, are recognizing that you can read the Bible faithfully, even in the commonsense way favored by evangelicalism, without necessarily agreeing on every point of interpretation. It’s leading to a more complex and (IMO) accurate way of thinking about Christianity for them.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2013-03-02 04:31 pm (UTC)I used to think this meant the standard thing of preaching at people, telling them what they should believe. But over the years I have come to realize that it's better to try and live my beliefs and be open about them, but not push them. Show, not tell.
But "Evangelical" with a capital "E" is something quite different, and has taken on political overtones that I don't care for. I think you are right about the basic beliefs of most "E"vangelicals.
Many evangelicals, both the big names and rank-and-file, are recognizing that you can read the Bible faithfully, even in the commonsense way favored by evangelicalism, without necessarily agreeing on every point of interpretation. It’s leading to a more complex and (IMO) accurate way of thinking about Christianity for them.
I find this very hopeful.