Thorne 12
commitments of the great Reformation traditions. The task, however, is not done. In fact, the
arduous work of defining evangelicalism and discovering its boundaries makes one wonder. Is
evangelicalism sufficiently cohesive to serve Christianity? Does evangelicalism display sufficient
commitment to the Scriptures to serve as a uniting factor for all Christians? Or, God forbid, does
evangelicalism perpetuate the continuing fragmentation of the Body of Christ? The Scriptures
speak of a "faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints."
57
There is also reference to "one
faith."
58
There is a Scriptural warning about forsaking the true Gospel for "another which is really
no gospel."
59
My answer to these questions at this time is positive and hopeful.
Evangelicalism as understood in the 21
st
Century is very dynamic and broad. Its breadth
includes Calvinists, Arminians, Dispensationalists and Charismatics. Because of this breadth,
evangelicalism is described as an empty term that needs to be abandoned. Even within
evangelicalism there are calls for a return to traditional denominational creedalism and concerns
about doctrinal wandering. One wonders if the very dynamism and movement of evangelicalism
which embraces so many will be its destruction. The future of evangelicalism will include
continued debates about the sufficiency of Scripture, evangelism, cultural engagement and even
conversion. The centrality of the cross will be endangered. Thus, evangelicalism will continue to
be in need of being evaluated from a Biblical perspective. Always, however, this evaluation must
be done in conformity with the Scriptural principle that "the goal of this instruction is love, which
comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith."
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As I complete this paper, I
am very conscious that I have not completed the task of evaluating evangelicalism from a Biblical
perspective. Even as I look over my work, I appreciate the fact that I have left out so much of the
Bible that should that should be brought to bear upon each important area of evangelicalism. My