# How are evangelicals distinct from other Christians? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 29, 2018, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-evangelicals-distinct-from-other-christians/807747 "2018-01-29T17:52:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-evangelicals-distinct-from-other-christians/807747/61 "2018-01-31T07:09:41Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Absolutely, 100%, wrong. None of those are Catholic beliefs (except possibly the road to salvation going through Jesus, and even then the church has a longer, more complex answer there). Biblical literalism is frowned upon in Catholicism. **Guin** , neither of the people you replied to claimed that those were Catholic beliefs. They’re talking about Evangelicals. ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-evangelicals-distinct-from-other-christians/807747/62 "2018-01-31T08:18:54Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > **Guin** , neither of the people you replied to claimed that those were Catholic beliefs. They’re talking about Evangelicals. No, Innerstickler said they were characteristic of Evanglicals; guestchaz disputed that, saying that they were “the core beliefs of Christianity in general”. Guin points out that guestchaz is wrong by referring to Catholicism, the largest Christian tradition. If they are not Catholic beliefs, then they can hardly be said to be characteristic of “Christianity in general”. ---
**Author:** ![EdelweissPirate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8491ac/32.png) [@EdelweissPirate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdelweissPirate)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-evangelicals-distinct-from-other-christians/807747/63 "2018-01-31T14:12:01Z")
> [@UDS](#): > > “Evangelical” literally means “of or pertaining to the gospel”; the root is of course the Greek εὐαγγέλιον, gospel. Figuratively, yes, but not literally. εὐαγγέλιον is translated as “the reward of good tidings,” though it certainly does mean “the gospel” when used in a Christian context. I think you could just as easily argue that the English “evangelical” has εὐάγγελος as its root, which means “bringing good news.” This (it seems to me) is truer to the central mission of evangelical churches in general. Correct me if I’m wrong, but many evangelicals believe it’s not enough to engage with the gospel; one must also spread the word to others. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-evangelicals-distinct-from-other-christians/807747/64 "2018-01-31T14:27:26Z")
> [@EdelweissPirate](#): > > Correct me if I’m wrong, but many evangelicals believe it’s not enough to engage with the gospel; one must also spread the word to others. This is correct. They’re not the only Christians to believe this. But at least some of the differences between Evangelicals and other Christians are not sharp distinctions in beliefs, but differing emphases; and Evangelicals do emphasize evangelizing and witnessing and winning souls to Christ. ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-evangelicals-distinct-from-other-christians/807747/65 "2018-01-31T16:06:46Z")
> [@StusBlues](#): > > I still need to read the rest of this thread, but one indicator that I rarely see cited - but often see in evidence - is the restrictive role of women in Evangelical congregations. Women cannot vote in congregational decisions, and they cannot serve as clergy. If you find a Protestant church where women can vote and serve as clergy, that is not an evangelical church. (I’ve known marriages, for example, that “swung” to ELCA Lutheran churches as opposed to Missouri Synod because the wife WOULD NOT join a church in which she could not vote.) > > I could be wrong about this. If I am, please correct me. This is not true. Assemblies of God which is the biggest protestant denomination in the world can have women serve as clergy and vote in all elections. Southern Baptists also have women vote. ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-evangelicals-distinct-from-other-christians/807747/66 "2018-01-31T17:14:07Z")
Thank you all for correcting me. Ignorance fought. Per [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordination_of_women_in_Protestant_denominations): The Missouri and Wisconsin synods do not ordain women. “The Southern Baptist Convention does not support the ordination of women; however, some churches that are members of the SBC have ordained women.” I’m a little surprised that the Assemblies of God ordain women, but there it is. It would be interesting to see any sort of systematic study of who is allowed to vote in congregational meetings across denominations. A good share of American Evangelicals belong to “non-denominational” churches, so this sort of thing would be difficult to track across the spectrum. In some denominations, it seems that this varies from congregation to congregation as well. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-evangelicals-distinct-from-other-christians/807747/67 "2018-01-31T23:22:01Z")
> [@UDS](#): > > No, Innerstickler said they were characteristic of Evanglicals; guestchaz disputed that, saying that they were “the core beliefs of Christianity in general”. Guin points out that guestchaz is wrong by referring to Catholicism, the largest Christian tradition. If they are not Catholic beliefs, then they can hardly be said to be characteristic of “Christianity in general”. Excactly. The Orthodox, Anglicans, etc – none of those are are part of their traditions either. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-evangelicals-distinct-from-other-christians/807747/68 "2018-02-01T00:19:32Z")
> [@UDS](#): > > No, Innerstickler said they were characteristic of Evanglicals; guestchaz disputed that, saying that they were “the core beliefs of Christianity in general”. Guin points out that guestchaz is wrong by referring to Catholicism, the largest Christian tradition. If they are not Catholic beliefs, then they can hardly be said to be characteristic of “Christianity in general”. I would estimate that about one-tenth of one percent of Catholics are actually Christians. ---
**Author:** ![PoppaSan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/poppasan/32/189_2.png) [@PoppaSan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoppaSan)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-evangelicals-distinct-from-other-christians/807747/69 "2018-02-01T00:43:40Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > I would estimate that about one-tenth of one percent of Catholics are actually Christians. Do you have a cite for this or anything to support this estimation? ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-evangelicals-distinct-from-other-christians/807747/70 "2018-02-01T00:44:13Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > I would estimate that about one-tenth of one percent of Catholics are actually Christians. Catholics, however would disagree. And their is no reason why your conception of “Christian” should have any greater authority than theirs. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-evangelicals-distinct-from-other-christians/807747/71 "2018-02-01T00:55:17Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > I would estimate that about one-tenth of one percent of Catholics are actually Christians. Luckily Satan will teach them! Haw Haw! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Bredin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-evangelicals-distinct-from-other-christians/807747/72 "2018-02-01T16:27:43Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > I would estimate that about one-tenth of one percent of Catholics are actually Christians. Jack Chick, is that you? :rolleyes:😛 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-evangelicals-distinct-from-other-christians/807747/73 "2018-02-01T17:17:25Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > I would estimate that about one-tenth of one percent of Catholics are actually Christians. Since this is the forum for factual answers to questions, you have a cite to support that “estimate”, right? ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-evangelicals-distinct-from-other-christians/807747/74 "2018-02-01T17:25:03Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > I would estimate that about one-tenth of one percent of Catholics are actually Christians. So just out of curiosity, what is your personal definition of an “actual Christian?” (It obviously isn’t the definition that most of the rest of the world uses.) ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-evangelicals-distinct-from-other-christians/807747/75 "2018-02-01T17:26:07Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Since this is the forum for factual answers to questions, you have a cite to support that “estimate”, right? Joke answers are allowed after the question is answered. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-evangelicals-distinct-from-other-christians/807747/76 "2018-02-01T17:28:11Z")
was that a joke or a jab? mc ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-evangelicals-distinct-from-other-christians/807747/77 "2018-02-01T18:25:02Z")
> [@mikecurtis](#): > > was that a joke or a jab? > > mc I concur. The assertion that Catholics are not Christians is not a joking matter. Granted, anything can be MADE into a joke, but it’s not something like “gingers don’t have souls” that everyone recognizes as a joke with minimal context. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-evangelicals-distinct-from-other-christians/807747/78 "2018-02-01T18:26:21Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > I would estimate that about one-tenth of one percent of Catholics are actually Christians. **Moderator Note** General Questions is for factual answers, so “your estimate” does not enter into it. By definition, all practicing Catholics are Christians. I am instructing you to not post further in this thread. To others, there is no need to address this post further. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-evangelicals-distinct-from-other-christians/807747/79 "2018-02-01T20:07:57Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > I would estimate that about one-tenth of one percent of Catholics are actually Christians. I would suggest that applies to all “Christians” - after all, Mark 10 says: > [@](#): > > 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” So basically, anyone with any significant possessions is not a real Christian, camel, eye of the needle and all that. Jesus was a communist, economically. Or else, it’s a matter of which parts of the Bible are applicable to your brand. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-evangelicals-distinct-from-other-christians/807747/80 "2018-02-01T22:00:49Z")
> [@md2000](#): > > I would suggest that applies to all “Christians” - after all, Mark 10 says: > So basically, anyone with any significant possessions is not a real Christian, camel, eye of the needle and all that. Jesus was a communist, economically. > > Or else, it’s a matter of which parts of the Bible are applicable to your brand. **Moderator Note** I instructed everyone not to respond further to **Flyer’s** non factual response. No warning issued, but there is no reason to respond to it further. Colibri General Questions Moderator [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-evangelicals-distinct-from-other-christians/807747.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-evangelicals-distinct-from-other-christians/807747.md?page=5)