Dear Friends at Franklin Park Baptist Church,
During the current campaign to elect a new President of the United States, we’ve heard a lot about the “evangelical” vote. It used to be rare that you’d see that word connected with anything related to politics. Now-a-days it’s a daily occurrence.
So what is an “evangelical” anyway? Many people self-identify as evangelicals, but when you ask them they’re not really sure of the definition. A few years ago The National Association of Evangelicals created a definition that is now used as a standard when polling organizations such as Barna Associates and/or LifeWay Research create surveys to measure persons / groups opinions about social and religious issues.
Respondents are asked their level of agreement with four separate statements using a four-point, forced choice scale (strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, strongly disagree). Those who strongly agree with all four statements are categorized as having evangelical beliefs.
- The Bible is the highest authority for what I believe.
- It is very important for me personally to encourage non-Christians to trust Jesus Christ as their Savior.
- Jesus Christ’s death on the cross is the only sacrifice that could remove the penalty of my sin.
- Only those who trust in Jesus Christ alone as their Savior receive God’s free gift of eternal salvation.
Technically speaking if you “strongly agree” with all 4 statements then you are, by definition, an evangelical. If on the other hand you “strongly agree” with some of the statements but not all of them, then according to the NAE you are a believer, but not by definition an evangelical.
In spite of the definition the word “evangelical” is widely misused today.
Paul Aiello, Interim Pastor