Evangelicalism among Americans has been associated with various bad vices over the years. For instance, televangelists have been attributed with the solicitation of money and scolding among evangelical Protestants. According to D.G. Hart, evangelicalism has gone through various phases in its development into the current world. He analyses evangelicalism into two periods between 1920 and 1960 and from 1960 to 2000. The two folds represent the ”withdrawal and a reemergence of evangelicalism among Americans” and their way of life. In the first fold, evangelicalism is postulated to be dominant in the American’s culture throughout the twentieth century up to 1960 (Hart 12). In the modern times, evangelicalism has lost its position in the American’s culture.
For the period 1920 to 1960, evangelicalism had set itself from the larger culture leading to a very minimal interaction. This is the period when American evangelists’ ideologies were unchallenged. Hart mentions that “evangelicalism passed myriad principles and ideologies about individual, family, and the society in general”. During this period, evangelical teachings were adhered to the letter by Protestants. Evangelical pastors postulated that if men went to church, their wives and children were anticipated to follow. There are beliefs that men dominated worship program in churches, unlike women. By contrast, women held various political positions in the government. As a result, controversies about women's leadership in the church became of the question among various women in high political positions. There was a prolonged controversy about gender equality in church leadership. Some male pastors postulated that women should follow what men deem right. For instance, Mike Huckabee taught that men were the head of households while women were supposed to submit to them.
In the first fold, “evangelicalism was slowly dividing into a protestant culture which later came to exist into two groups of Protestants”. The evangelicals and the liberals were the outcome of the Protestant division in the early 1920’s. Both evangelicals and liberals had different and diverse point of views. The evangelicals reiterated on individual piety and salvation of the whole world. By contrast, the liberals perceived salvation in public rather than a personal affair. There have been myriad changes in the evangelical world with evangelists having different opinions about Christian morality throughout the two folds. According to Hart, evangelicalism has evolved as a result of diverse religious beliefs among Protestants (Hart 47).
In the period between 1920 and 1960, most evangelists separated themselves from the larger culture leading to an environment without interaction. During this period, evangelicalism was perceived as a source of moral and Christian teachings among Americans. By contrast, there were different groups of people with a different perception about Christianity and moral values. As a result, evangelicalism was on the verge of deteriorating due controversies in the leadership positions and leaders’ ideologies. It is thus evident from Hart teachings that deterioration of evangelicalism in the first period was brought about by conflict of ideas. There was a large population of evangelicalism drawing membership from Britain and around the United States. The large population of protestant translated into various cultures and different beliefs. As a result, the evangelicals could not accommodate the large population of Protestants and thus the number began to decline (Hart 18). The evangelicalism has gone rapid changes over the years leading to significant changes in the structural and Christianity well being of the church.
The period between 1960 and 2000 is marked by what is known as the pot-protestant period. Evangelicalism started penetrating into the political culture while preserving the Christianity aspect of society. During this period, evangelicalism movement re-emerged again with various social and political objectives. The American culture has recognized evangelical movement and its principles in social and political aspects. In the recent times, “evangelicalism has been involved in social, economic, and spiritual aspects, in America, with the aim of improving individual status and development in general” (Hart 78). Evangelicals have not changed their ancient doctrine despite the fact that they have to adapt to the current world situation.
There are various reasons why the current generation is abandoning the evangelical movement. For instance, changes in evangelicalism among the younger generation can be attributed to pernicious sexism, conservative politics, and religious intolerance. Evangelicalism is a movement with a wide range of ideologies and perceptions. As a result, evangelicals’ characteristics may vary from different people depending on their perceptions. “Evangelicals have been sidelined in the political arena and thus have insignificant influence of the development process of the country” (Hart 189). As a result, most evangelicals have resulted into preaching against some social vices such as abortion, homosexuality, and family responsibilities.
Religious intolerance preached by evangelical leaders has positively contributed to shunning of the younger generation out of evangelicalism movement. In the current world, such religious intolerance never makes sense in changing individuals in the society. Individuals have evolved in diverse and different religious beliefs. As a result, people have acknowledged and embraced various cultures leading to a changed way of life. Another reason for changes in the modern evangelicalism is as a result of pernicious sexism. Different evangelicals have preached and advocated for gender inequality (Hart 214). Some evangelical’s belief that man is the head of household and a woman should follow the man.
Conclusion
American evangelicalism has been declining over the years leading to an insignificant influence on society. There have been myriad changes in the way people have perceived evangelicals ideologies and beliefs concerning various aspects of the social, economic, and spiritual aspects. As a result, individuals have had different opinions regarding evangelicalism and Christianity in general.
Evangelicalism in American politics can play a major role. By contrast, the movement has lost followers due to changes in beliefs and cultural morals. American politics are thus better free from intervention by evangelical movement. This is because the movement has undergone various cultural changes over the years leading to decline in the evangelical movement. As a result, the movement has insignificant influence in social, economic, and political matters.
Bibliography
Hart, Darryl G. That Old-Time Religion in Modern America: Evangelical Protestantism in the Twentieth Century. California: Ivan R Dee, Inc, 2003.
