Understanding Evangelical Identity in Global Context - Part 1
When prospective students discover Worldwide Evangelical Seminary, one of their first questions is often straightforward yet complex: "What exactly do you mean by 'evangelical'?" It's a fair question. The term "evangelical" carries different meanings depending on where you live, what church tradition you come from, and what news sources you read.
In some contexts, "evangelical" is associated with American political movements. In others, it's seen as synonymous with conservative Protestantism or even fundamentalism. But for those of us engaged in global theological education, the term carries a much richer and more nuanced meaning—one that transcends cultural and political boundaries while maintaining theological clarity.
Why Words Matter in Theological Education
Before diving into definitions, it's worth asking: why does this matter for your theological studies? The answer is simple yet profound. The theological framework you embrace shapes everything—how you read Scripture, how you approach ministry, how you engage with other Christians, and how you serve in your local context.
When WWES describes itself as "evangelical," we're not making a political statement or claiming superiority over other Christian traditions. We're identifying a particular approach to Christian faith and theological education that we believe serves the global church effectively. Understanding this approach will help you make sense of your coursework, interact meaningfully with fellow students from different backgrounds, and articulate your own theological convictions with clarity and grace.
The Historical Roots
The term "evangelical" comes from the Greek word evangelion, meaning "good news" or "gospel." In its most basic sense, then, an evangelical is simply someone who is passionate about the gospel. But like many theological terms, it has acquired more specific meanings over time.
Historically, "evangelical" emerged during the Protestant Reformation to describe those who emphasized salvation by grace through faith rather than through sacraments or good works. The term gained renewed prominence during the 18th-century revival movements in Britain and America, when leaders like John Wesley and George Whitefield stressed the need for personal conversion and active Christian living.
In the 20th century, evangelicalism developed as a movement that sought to maintain biblical authority and gospel centrality while avoiding the cultural isolationism of fundamentalism and the theological liberalism of mainline Protestantism. This is the tradition that most directly influences institutions like WWES.
The Evangelical Essentials
So what makes someone or something "evangelical"? The clearest framework comes from historian David Bebbington, who identified four essential characteristics of evangelical Christianity. These aren't abstract theological concepts—they're practical orientations that shape how evangelicals approach faith and ministry.
1. Conversionism: Lives Need to Be Changed
Evangelicals believe that becoming a Christian involves a genuine transformation, not just cultural inheritance or intellectual agreement. This doesn't mean everyone must have a dramatic "road to Damascus" experience, but it does mean that faith is personal and life-changing.
For theological education, this means we're not just transferring information or preserving tradition. We're equipping people whose lives have been transformed by the gospel to help others experience that same transformation. This shapes everything from how we approach biblical interpretation to how we think about preaching and pastoral care.
2. Activism: Faith Requires Action
Authentic Christian faith, according to evangelicals, necessarily expresses itself in action. This includes evangelism—sharing the good news with others—but extends far beyond that to include social justice, mercy ministries, church planting, discipleship, and cultural engagement.
This emphasis on activism is why WWES focuses on practical, ministry-oriented education rather than purely academic theology. We're training people who are already engaged in ministry and want to be more effective in their service. Our students aren't retreating from the world to study theology; they're studying theology to engage more faithfully with the world.
3. Biblicism: Scripture as Supreme Authority
Evangelicals maintain a high view of Scripture, believing that the Bible is God's authoritative revelation for faith and practice. This doesn't mean evangelicals all interpret every passage identically—there's considerable diversity within evangelical biblical scholarship. But it does mean that Scripture, rather than church tradition, human reason, or cultural trends, serves as the final authority for Christian belief and practice.
In theological education, this translates to curricula that are deeply rooted in biblical studies. At WWES, whether you're studying systematic theology, church history, or practical ministry, you'll consistently return to the question: "What does Scripture teach about this?" This isn't anti-intellectual or anti-traditional; it's a commitment to grounding all theological reflection in God's revealed word.
4. Crucicentrism: The Cross Is Central
Finally, evangelicals emphasize the centrality of Christ's death and resurrection for salvation. This isn't just one doctrine among many; it's the heart of the gospel that gives meaning to everything else.
This focus shapes evangelical theology at every level. It influences how we understand human nature (fallen but redeemable), how we approach other religions (respectfully but with clear conviction about Christ's uniqueness), and how we think about Christian living (motivated by gratitude for what Christ has done rather than fear of judgment).
What Evangelical Is Not
Understanding evangelicalism also requires clarity about what it's not:
Not Fundamentalism: While evangelicals share fundamentalists' commitment to biblical authority, they typically engage more openly with contemporary scholarship, cultural questions, and Christians from other traditions.
Not Liberalism: Unlike theological liberals, evangelicals maintain that Scripture contains objective, divinely revealed truth that transcends cultural conditioning, though they recognize the importance of contextual application.
Not American Conservative Politics: While many American evangelicals hold conservative political views, evangelicalism as a theological movement transcends national and political boundaries. Our students come from dozens of countries with vastly different political contexts.
Not Anti-Intellectual: Despite stereotypes, evangelicalism has produced world-class scholars and institutions. The movement values rigorous scholarship that serves the church's mission.
Why WWES Chose Evangelical Identity
WWES embraces evangelical identity for several practical reasons:
Global Relevance: Evangelicalism is a truly worldwide movement. Our students include Pentecostals from Nigeria, Lutherans from Ethiopia, Baptists from Kenya, and Anglicans from India. What unites them isn't denominational affiliation but shared commitment to Bebbington's four essentials.
Theological Clarity: The evangelical framework provides clear principles for curriculum development while allowing flexibility in application. We can maintain biblical authority while encouraging thoughtful engagement with diverse cultural contexts.
Missional Focus: Evangelicalism's emphasis on activism aligns perfectly with our educational mission. We're not training academics to write papers for other academics; we're equipping ministry leaders to serve effectively in their local contexts.
Educational Balance: The evangelical approach avoids both fundamentalist rigidity and liberal relativism, creating space for rigorous theological study that serves practical ministry needs.
What This Means for a WWES Student
As one engages with WWES coursework, this evangelical identity will be evident in several ways:
You'll notice that courses consistently return to Scripture as the primary source for theological reflection. You'll be encouraged to think critically and contextually, but always with respect for biblical authority.
You'll find that practical ministry application is woven throughout even the most academic subjects. We're not studying theology for its own sake, but to equip you for more faithful service.
You'll interact with fellow students who may come from different denominational backgrounds but share core evangelical convictions. This diversity within unity will enrich your understanding of both global Christianity and your own theological convictions.
You'll be challenged to think about how the gospel applies in your specific cultural context while maintaining fidelity to the universal truths of Scripture.
Looking Ahead
This overview provides the foundation for understanding WWES's evangelical identity, but it raises additional questions that we'll explore in upcoming posts: How does this "broad tent" approach work in practice when students come from such diverse backgrounds? What does evangelical theology look like when it's truly global rather than culturally Western? And how do these theological convictions shape practical ministry in different cultural contexts?
These questions matter because evangelical identity isn't just about abstract theology—it's about how we live, minister, and serve in God's diverse and complex world. Understanding what we mean by "evangelical" is the first step toward engaging meaningfully with that world as agents of the gospel.
This post draws from WWES's foundational documents and the extensive research conducted for our educational program development, including analysis of global evangelical movements and their theological distinctives.
Sources:
Noll, Mark A., D. W. Bebbington, and George A. Rawlyk. Evangelicalism: Comparative Studies of Popular Protestantism in North America, the British Isles, and Beyond 1700-1900. Religion in America Series. New York ; Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1994.
Sweet, W. W. "Character Emphases in Early Evangelical Movements." Religious Educa tion 24, no. 1 (01/01, 1929): 41-8.
Bebbington, D. W. "Are Baptists Evangelicals? – The Question Revisited." Perspectives in Religious Studies 33, no. 1 (03/01, 2006): 105-21.
Evangelicalism explained by Rev. Dr. David Hilborn, St John's College, Nottingham, UK
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