Evangelism
|
The Four Evangelists, by Jakob Jordaens |
Evangelism is the proclaiming of the
Christian Gospel or, by extension, any other form of
preaching or
proselytizing. It also lends its name to any one of a number of
Protestant Christian sects having roots in the late 19th century American
Revivalist movements.
The word
evangelist comes from the
Koine Greek word ευαγγελιον (transcribed as "euangelion") via Latin "Evangelium", as used in the canonic titles of the four
Gospels, and thus
The Evangelists are the authors of the four Gospels -- traditionally known as
Matthew,
Mark,
Luke, and
John (also known as the
Four Evangelists). The Greek word ευαγγελιον originally meant a reward for good news given to the messenger (ευ = "good", αγγελλω = "I bring a message"; the word
angel is of the same root) and later "good news". The latter term gives rise to the word "Gospel".
For many groups, a church planter is called an
evangelist. Sometimes, the regular minister of a church is called an
evangelist in a way that other groups would typically use the term
pastor. Among these groups is the
Church of Christ and organizations such as
The Foundation for Evangelism. The
evangelical movement in
Protestant Christianity encompasses denominations and
parachurch organizations such as the
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association which, among other characteristics, focus on evangelism and the drawing-in of new converts. In common parlance, the title of evangelist is most easily associated with those who lead large meetings like those of
Billy Graham, possibly in tents or existing
church buildings, or those who address the public in
street corner preaching, which targets listeners who happen to pass nearby on the street.
The term is also used in a non-religious sense to describe an individual who takes up a cause and convinces others to it.
Guy Kawasaki, an author and venture capitalist, describes Evangelists as individuals who promote a particular product. At
Apple Computer, he was part of a team of
Apple evangelists that convinced programmers to develop software on the Macintosh Platform. In
The Human Fabric (Aviri, 2004),
Bijoy Goswami describes the "Evangelist" as one of three core energies in people and society.
(Please see
approaches to evangelism)
A more strict
biblical definition of evangelist would equate it to a
missionary:
* Ac 21:8
(KJV) And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the [evangelist], which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
* 2Ti 4:5
(KJV) But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
*
Evangelion*
Evangelical Movement of Wales*
Evangelicalism*
Great Commission*
Internet evangelist*
Missions*
Televangelism*
The Foundation for Evangelism*
"I Agree With" Campaign, an example of an evangelistic effort on college campuses
*
Dawah, a similar category in
Islam*
:Category:Evangelists*
Christianity Explored, a widely-used evangelistic course
* [
1] - News Article in rediff.com
* [
2] - Evangelism in Indonesia
* [
3] - Clinton Spokesman on Baptists' Evangelism
*
Evangelism - All For Love!
*
EvangelismEncyclopedia.org, - a wiki devoted to Biblical Evangelism.
*
Evangelism Forum - The Place to Talk Evangelism
