When I was considering calling this blog evangelical, I checked out its definition, as opposed to Christian or other descriptors. Wikipedia has a great article on evangelicalism- it places it next to less fun terms like fundamentalism, unitarianism, pentacostalism, and others. Just scanning through the definition of fundamentalism and finding its emphasis on dispensationalism and then reading technical details about that underscores the fact that I’m not the theological expert. I’m not uneducated, but I’m no seminarian either.

(Though there is a really cool chart on the branches of Christianity you should check out.)

My interest in the seven years since I committed myself to Christ has been in The Bible, secondary books like The Imitation of Christ, Practicing the Presence of God, and commentaries by Matthew Henry and (a well known commentator I can’t remember I’ll have to look at when I get home!). I’ve also enjoyed Spurgeon’s writings and more recently Calvin’s Sermons on the Beatitudes.

(What a nerd I am! Who reads Calvin?  But he was way more inspiring than I expected.  Check him out.)

Back to Evangelicalism- there are four essential evangelical beliefs or convictions:

1. Being born again - this always makes me think of Nicodemus and Jesus, as well as William James’ idea of the once and twice born- he said some people were essentially psychologically the same at age 16 as age 50- others are somehow incomplete and need a psychic rearrangement- I am the latter, I had St. Augustine’s God-shaped hole and ultimately needed the Jesus of the cross to complete me.
2. The Bible as the prime and inerrant authority of our Faith. I’m amazed at any Christian who disagrees with this. First, the historical integrity and reliability of the Bible is much stronger than most people know (see The Case for Christ for a lawyer’s strict examination of the evidence). Second, from a logical perspective, if we will only accept some parts of the Bible and not others, then we elevate our judgment over God’s- that is not the spirit of surrender or obedience- and how can you tell if you belong to Him? You obey Him. Hmmm. Sounds like the argumentative Bible-doubter can’t be one of His sheep.
3. Missionary work- both abroad and local personal relationship- great commission
4. Centrality of the cross- salvation is crucial, literally- Christ’s sacrifice on the cross- as Paul said, we preach Christ crucified – This is definitely impossible to grasp except experientially, and that comes from deep conviction of personal sin, which comes from the Holy Spirit. Paul says preachers merely reap the harvest that Christ has already sown- then perhaps preaching Christ crucified is the central scythe in our harvest.