The word "evangelical" is often misspelled due to its complex phonetic structure. It is pronounced ɪˌvændʒɛlɪkəl, with stress on the second syllable. The first syllable consists of a short I sound followed by the stressed vowel A. The second syllable features a voicing consonant G, which is followed by a neutral E sound. The third syllable contains another L, and the final syllable contains the unstressed vowel schwa. Despite its challenging spelling, "evangelical" remains a widely used term in religious and political discourse.
Evangelical is an adjective that is commonly used to describe individuals, beliefs, or movements within the Christian faith. It generally refers to a conservative or traditional approach to Christianity, specifically emphasizing the personal conversion or "born-again" experience, and a strong adherence to the authority of the Bible as the ultimate guide to faith and practice.
Evangelical Christians often prioritize the importance of spreading the message, or "evangelizing," the teachings of Jesus Christ. They are focused on sharing the "good news" of salvation and encouraging others to develop a personal relationship with God. This evangelistic commitment is often seen in missionary work, community outreach programs, and a strong emphasis on personal religious experiences.
The evangelical movement emerged during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, and has since developed into a diverse and global movement, with different theological perspectives, denominations, and traditions within its fold. While it is predominantly associated with Protestant Christianity, evangelical beliefs can also be found in other branches of Christianity.
It's important to note that the term "evangelical" can vary in its meaning and usage across different countries and contexts. In contemporary discussions, the term is sometimes used to describe a political or cultural alignment rather than solely a religious one, particularly in relation to conservative social values and beliefs. However, within a theological or religious context, evangelical typically refers to a specific set of Christian beliefs and practices.
According to the doctrines and precepts of the Gospel; orthodox.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "evangelical" derives from the Greek word "euangelion" (εὐαγγέλιον), which means "good news" or "gospel". This Greek word has its roots in the compounds "eu" (εὖ), meaning "good" or "well", and "angelion" (ἀγγέλιον), meaning "message" or "announcement".
In the context of Christianity, "evangelical" originally referred to the followers of the "euangelion" or the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Over time, the term "evangelical" evolved to signify a particular form of Protestant Christianity that emphasizes the importance of personally accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and spreading the Gospel to others.