Terms Important to Believers

The distinctions between evangelical, fundamentalist, Pentecostal and charismatic Christians often seem minor to outsiders but can be important to these theologically conservative Christians with a Protestant heritage.

Their similarities are many: All four groups would look to the Bible as their spiritual guide and authority, even over their church or denomination if it came to that. To them, salvation comes through belief in Jesus Christ and a conversion experience at an age of understanding. Satan is seen as being active in the world and Jesus is expected to make a literal return to Earth soon.

The differences among the four are sometimes in doctrine, sometimes in attitude:

- EVANGELICALS--This term encompasses the most people, and includes Pentecostals and charismatics and conservative elements in mainline Protestant bodies. Spreading the Gospel and giving to missions are unifying characteristics of evangelicals, who, despite relatively minor doctrinal differences, tend to cooperate with each other for the sake of evangelism.

- FUNDAMENTALISTS--Their beliefs are virtually the same as the conservative evangelicals. Attitude and behavior separate the two. Jerry Falwell likes the definition that a “fundamentalist is an evangelical who is mad.” Fundamentalists shun associations with churches they see as less than vigilant in doctrine and in defense of a literal, error-free Bible. They do not think the added beliefs of Pentecostals/charismatics are valid.

- PENTECOSTALS--A movement born about the turn of this century, these Christians tend to be exuberant, “spirit-filled” worshipers who look for experience to confirm their beliefs. For some groups, the ecstatic “speaking in tongues” signals that one has received the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” and may be able to exhibit other “g1768322163discernment, etc. The Assemblies of God Church and PTL fall in this group.

- CHARISMATICS--A term often used by low-key Pentecostals who are in mainline Protestant churches, including Episcopal, Presbyterian and other denominations. There are also Roman Catholic charismatics who follow Pentecostal beliefs and practices. Many independent churches with Pentecostal beliefs also prefer this term, because of the old image of Pentecostals as believers with little education, culture or money.