LearningToLetGo Posted July 14, 2021 Group: Senior Member Followers: 5 Topic Count: 37 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 717 Content Per Day: 0.35 Reputation: 660 Days Won: 0 Joined: 09/21/2018 Status: Offline Share Posted July 14, 2021 I came across this article that contained several graphs depicting "Evangelical" vs "Mainline" Protestantism. I confess I don't understand the distinction? Can someone help me out? https://religionnews.com/2021/07/08/survey-white-mainline-protestants-outnumber-white-evangelicals/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LearningToLetGo Posted July 14, 2021 Group: Senior Member Followers: 5 Topic Count: 37 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 717 Content Per Day: 0.35 Reputation: 660 Days Won: 0 Joined: 09/21/2018 Status: Offline Author Share Posted July 14, 2021 It seems I missed the fine print. Quote All respondents who identify as Christian are then asked: “Would you describe yourself as a ‘born again’ or ‘evangelical Christian,’ or not?” Respondents who self-identify as white, non-Hispanic, Protestant and identify as born-again or evangelical are categorized as white evangelical Protestants. Respondents who self-identify as white, non-Hispanic, Protestant and do not identify as born-again or evangelical are categorized as white mainline Protestants. https://www.prri.org/research/2020-census-of-american-religion/#_ftn2 It's still a strange distinction in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael37 Posted July 14, 2021 Group: Servant Followers: 21 Topic Count: 244 Topics Per Day: 0.11 Content Count: 7,022 Content Per Day: 3.28 Reputation: 4,938 Days Won: 2 Joined: 07/05/2018 Status: Online Birthday: 09/23/1954 Share Posted July 14, 2021 2 hours ago, LearningToLetGo said: It seems I missed the fine print. https://www.prri.org/research/2020-census-of-american-religion/#_ftn2 It's still a strange distinction in my opinion. Evangelicals don't rely on denominational traditions and the hierarchical authority of clergy and their practice of infant sprinkling and confirmation for their inclusion in the body of Christ, but rather their personal experience of conversion and faith in Christ. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tristen Posted July 14, 2021 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 9 Topic Count: 3 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 2,380 Content Per Day: 0.63 Reputation: 1,361 Days Won: 1 Joined: 01/26/2014 Status: Offline Share Posted July 14, 2021 There was also a link within your link; https://religionnews.com/2021/07/08/what-is-a-mainline-christian-anyway/ For me, the distinction they seem to be making is between traditional denominations (i.e. "Mainline"), and those that stem from the Christian fundamentalist movement in the early 1900s (now generally referred to as "Evangelical"). They also seem to separate out Catholicism into their own category. I personally think they are somewhat specious distinctions because, 1) within each of the two groups, there is so much variety that is is questionable if they should be lumped together, or if the pertinent distinctions should rather be made elsewhere, and 2) there is a lot of crossover between the two groups (with many traditional denominations holding to fundamentalist beliefs, and some "Evangelical" denominations holding to traditionalist ideas). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael37 Posted July 14, 2021 Group: Servant Followers: 21 Topic Count: 244 Topics Per Day: 0.11 Content Count: 7,022 Content Per Day: 3.28 Reputation: 4,938 Days Won: 2 Joined: 07/05/2018 Status: Online Birthday: 09/23/1954 Share Posted July 14, 2021 27 minutes ago, Tristen said: There was also a link within your link; https://religionnews.com/2021/07/08/what-is-a-mainline-christian-anyway/ For me, the distinction they seem to be making is between traditional denominations (i.e. "Mainline"), and those that stem from the Christian fundamentalist movement in the early 1900s (now generally referred to as "Evangelical"). They also seem to separate out Catholicism into their own category. I personally think they are somewhat specious distinctions because, 1) within each of the two groups, there is so much variety that is is questionable if they should be lumped together, or if the pertinent distinctions should rather be made elsewhere, and 2) there is a lot of crossover between the two groups (with many traditional denominations holding to fundamentalist beliefs, and some "Evangelical" denominations holding to traditionalist ideas). Would you choose Evangelical or Protestant if required to make a self-appraisal with those choices being the only ones, Tristen? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tristen Posted July 14, 2021 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 9 Topic Count: 3 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 2,380 Content Per Day: 0.63 Reputation: 1,361 Days Won: 1 Joined: 01/26/2014 Status: Offline Share Posted July 14, 2021 3 hours ago, Michael37 said: Would you choose Evangelical or Protestant if required to make a self-appraisal with those choices being the only ones, Tristen? Tough question. I'd say I'm probably both. I'm Protestant in the sense of adhering to Sola Scriptura - that the Bible alone is the highest authoritative communication from God to humanity. Evangelical is a bit trickier. Historically, Evangelical is a word-for-word rephrasing of 'fundamentalist'. I am definitely a fundamentalist in the sense that I adhere whole-heartedly to the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith (e.g. the Divine Authority of Scripture, the Eternal Deity of Christ, the Virgin Birth of Christ, the Vicarious Sacrifice of Christ, the Bodily Resurrection of Christ etc.). I don't think I've ever called myself an Evangelical. But only because I prefer the term fundamentalist (in the original sense). I have, however, frequently referred to myself as Protestant. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alive Posted July 14, 2021 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 22 Topic Count: 194 Topics Per Day: 0.11 Content Count: 11,054 Content Per Day: 6.48 Reputation: 9,018 Days Won: 36 Joined: 09/12/2019 Status: Offline Birthday: 01/09/1956 Share Posted July 14, 2021 Interesting that this comes up. Yesterday, for my own edification and 'continuing education', I found myself reading through various catechisms from the early reformation onward. Consistency, is what most stands out. These labels we are discussing have some value, but seem almost artificial--if that makes any sense. All of us who call Christ 'Lord and Savior' have much more in common that where we may differ. I suggest a review of creeds and catechisms as well as the 95 theses, 39 articles, the Westminster Docs all the way to the Chicago Statement on biblical Inerrancy. This exercise can be quite uplifting. The Holy Spirit has been with us all along in a very real way. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LearningToLetGo Posted July 14, 2021 Group: Senior Member Followers: 5 Topic Count: 37 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 717 Content Per Day: 0.35 Reputation: 660 Days Won: 0 Joined: 09/21/2018 Status: Offline Author Share Posted July 14, 2021 7 hours ago, Tristen said: There was also a link within your link; https://religionnews.com/2021/07/08/what-is-a-mainline-christian-anyway/ Thank you for pointing this out. The terms are still fuzzy but it seems "mainline" is essentially a synonym for "established." If you belong to a church that's been around for a while then voila! you are mainline. I admit the need to divide people leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It appears arbitrary in so many ways. I can see no good coming from it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billiards Ball Posted July 14, 2021 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 5 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 1,502 Content Per Day: 0.66 Reputation: 662 Days Won: 0 Joined: 02/05/2018 Status: Offline Share Posted July 14, 2021 12 hours ago, LearningToLetGo said: I came across this article that contained several graphs depicting "Evangelical" vs "Mainline" Protestantism. I confess I don't understand the distinction? Can someone help me out? https://religionnews.com/2021/07/08/survey-white-mainline-protestants-outnumber-white-evangelicals/ Mainline is usually older denominations that have fallen to apostasy and heresy. For example, gay pastors, allowing divorce for a variety of reasons, claiming the Bible is myth, etc. Evangelical tends toward fundamental beliefs and trusting Jesus personally as Savior to distinct Christians from churchgoers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riverwalker Posted July 14, 2021 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 2 Topic Count: 92 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 2,054 Content Per Day: 0.60 Reputation: 1,753 Days Won: 4 Joined: 12/09/2014 Status: Offline Share Posted July 14, 2021 (edited) 13 hours ago, LearningToLetGo said: I came across this article that contained several graphs depicting "Evangelical" vs "Mainline" Protestantism. I confess I don't understand the distinction? Can someone help me out? https://religionnews.com/2021/07/08/survey-white-mainline-protestants-outnumber-white-evangelicals/ you lost me when I read the link had "white" in it. to my mind God made one race. Decided not to go there Evangelicals - Serious Christians Lives "Church" Mainline - Casual Christian Goes to "Church" on Sundays would be my take Edited July 14, 2021 by Riverwalker 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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