Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

Evangelicalism is a movement within Protestant Christianity that emphasizes the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ, personal conversion experiences, and the Bible as the sole basis for faith. The term "evangelical" comes from the Greek word for "good news" or "gospel".1

Historically, Evangelicals were followers of Martin Luther in the 16th century, distinguishing themselves from Calvinists. The 18th-century Evangelical revival, encompassing movements like Pietism, Methodism, and the Great Awakening, stressed conversion and missionary work.1

In the mid-20th century, a distinction emerged between fundamentalists and "Neo-Evangelicals," who sought to engage with culture and academia while maintaining core beliefs like biblical authority and the atonement of Christ. Prominent figures like Billy Graham and publications like Christianity Today helped legitimize this movement. Evangelicals have grown into a significant global force, often associated with conservative politics and interdenominational cooperation.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.