EVANGELICAL is an adjective derived from the Gr. euangelion, "good news," or "the gospel," and is applied in general to anything which -is marked by the spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thus, we speak of an E. sermon, of E. piety, E. views, etc., though it is but right to mention that the term "E;" in such a cannection is used by a portion of the religious community to denote, not so much a spirit or sentiment resembling that of the Saviour, but certain peculiar theological opinions, which are held to constitute the only true and complete expression of Christian belief. In England and Scotland, dissenters have generally laid claim to be considered more "E." than the national churches—i.e., they conceive that they have borne, and still bear, more decided testimony than their brethren of the establishment to the truth of such doctrines as the total depravity of human nature, the imputation of Adam's sin to his posterity, the expiatory character of Christ's sufferings, justification by faith in the atoning efficacy of these sufferings, etc. In the Anglican church, however, the rise of the Puseyite
or Tractarian party has brought into prominence an antagonistic party, resembling dissenters very much in their theological tenets. This party calls itself, par excellence, "evangelical."—In Germany, all Protestants call themselves E., in opposition to Catho lics, on the ground that the reformers taught the pure gospel of the grace of God in Christ, cleansing it of all human corruptions. The modern orthodox or pietistic party in the German Protestant churches have of late made exclusive claim to the attribute E., on the ground that they alone hold to the gospel in its actual historical shape. This claim is naturally disputed by the liberal theologians.