Evangelicalisms

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A set of doctrines or beliefs associated with Evangelicalism, emphasizing personal faith and the authority of Scripture
2. Representing a range of religious expressions that focus on the necessity of conversion and the experience of grace
3. Referring to movements or practices within Protestant Christianity that prioritize evangelism and spreading the Christian gospel

Etymology: "Evangelicalisms" is simply the plural of "evangelicalism," so it refers to several distinct sets of evangelical beliefs rather than one unified creed. The base word is built from "evangelical," which comes from Medieval Latin "evangelicus," itself from Late Latin "evangelium," the Gospel, borrowed from Greek "euangelion," meaning good news or reward for bringing good news. Adding the suffix "-ism," which in English forms nouns denoting a doctrine, system or movement, turns the adjective into a name for a belief system. The plural form appears when writers want to distinguish among different strands of the movement, for example in discussing how one evangelicalism stresses personal conversion while another stresses social engagement. Each plural usage treats the movement as a family of related but separate positions, all sharing the emphasis on personal faith and the authority of Scripture that defines the tradition.

Synonyms: evangelical beliefs, evangelical doctrines