Bebbington on Evangelicalism - 1266 Words

In the late 1980s, David Bebbington attempted to define what it meant to be an evangelical in America. He came up with a four part definition. The definition has four criteria and they are: biblicism, conversionism, crucicentrism, and activism. He wished to find a definition that would show what unified different evangelical movements and denominations during his time. Bebbingtons definition can also be applied to modern or historic denominations and movements. Bebbingtons definition should fit with any church that defines itself as evangelical, but what about a modern non-denominational bible church meets that definition? Also what does Bebbingtons definition say about the pre-bible belt Baptist movement in colonial America? If both a modern non-denominational bible church and a pre-bible belt baptist movement meet the definition set forth by Bebbington, then they should have some meaningful connection. However, that connection between a â€Å"evangelical† church and a  "evangelical† movement is not so clear. Bebbingtons four part definition is too wide and accepting to different interpretation to be called meaningful. Each part of his definition needs to be explained and evaluated to see if any meaningful connection between a bible church and the Baptist movement of early souther America have have any meaningful connection under Bebbingtons definition of evangelical. Bebbingtons definition has four parts. The first part is biblicism. Biblicism is a term which meansShow MoreRelatedBiography of the Seventh Earl of Shaftesbury1289 Words   |  5 Pagesthe subject†¦The Evangelical thus had no need of an intellectual approach to religion, nor of any priestly interposition between him and God: he regarded both, indeed, with acute mistrust. (Finlayson 49-50). From this standpoint, Shaftesburys Evangelicalism seems to come from both a reaction to the prevailing ineffectiveness of Christianity in the early nineteenth century in dealing with social problems, as well as the complexities of British state involvement in sectarian religious discrimination