Who (or What) is an Evangelical? - Part 3

Martin Luther by Lucas Cranach - 1629

As I mentioned in the prior parts, evangelicals trace their history, in a general sense, to the Apostles, who proclaimed the good news, and throughout Church history with those who proclaimed and lived the good news.

However, the word "evangelical" took on a special meaning during the Reformation, and especially with Lutherans.  Martin Luther did not want to start a new church, he wanted to reform the Church.  Those who followed him were derogatorily called "Lutherans."  As with many movements, a name given in derision became a badge of honor for its followers.  Martin Luther himself was horrified.  In "Admonition Against Insurrection," (1522) Luther asked that his name be left silent - that people call themselves Christians rather than Lutherans.  "How should I, a poor stinking bag of bones, become so that the children of Christ are named with my unholy name?"

Eventually Luther came to prefer to use the name "evangelical" to describe not just his followers, but the entire reform movement.  Later, Lutherans used that name (evangelical) to distinguish themselves from other groups in the reform movement (even though other reformers identified themselves with the word evangelical - as did Catholics, though it seems Catholics did less so as the Reformation progressed - though to this day some Catholics identify themselves as Evangelical Catholics).

To this day, many Lutheran churches bear the name Evangelical in their name.  So, for example, a Lutheran church in Falls Church, Virginia is called Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church.  The largest Lutheran denomination in America is called Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

In the next part, I will follow the development of the term "evangelical" during the Great Revivals.

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