Ellison Research asked adult Americans to explain what an “evangelical Christian” is. 18% said it is a Christian who tries to spread his or her faith. 9% said it is a Christian particularly devoted or zealous about their faith (but not to the point of fanaticism) and totally sold-out to their beliefs. Other responses:
8%: Focused strongly on the Bible, believing in the Bible as God’s inerrant word allowing it to guide their lives.
8%: Saved by Christ, saved by grace, believe in a born-again experience, and believe in eternal life through Christ, among other theological definitions.
6%: Conservative, ultra-conservative or radical right, anti-homosexual, Republican, highly involved in politics, etc.
5%: Fanatical about their beliefs.
4%: Closed-minded about religion.
3%: Focus on money rather than God.
3%: Want to impose their beliefs or standards on others.
Two percent gave a dramatically off-base theological definition. Researchers stressed almost half of Americans cannot give a definition of “evangelical” that has any substance to it.
