What is an exvangelical?

Answer

The term exvangelical refers to individuals who have diverged from conventional interpretations of evangelicalism. For many exvangelicals, this departure from evangelicalism aligns with a shift away from traditional ethics, orthodox beliefs, and/or conservative social and political positions.

Being an exvangelical does not necessarily entail renouncing Christianity or the fundamental tenets of evangelical faith. The initial users of the term were reacting to perceived developments within American Evangelicalism. However, an increasing number of those identifying as “exvangelical” are embracing a non-Christian or progressive belief system.

Over time, societal changes can alter the connotations of words. This transformation can be significant, as illustrated by words like gay, which originally meant joyful before becoming synonymous with homosexuality. Similarly, the term catholic, meaning “universal,” is now predominantly linked to Roman Catholicism and its doctrinal issues. When devout Christians ceased using the term catholic to describe their faith, they aimed to distance themselves from misleading associations, not from their faith itself.

For some individuals, moving away from the evangelical label signifies a similar intention. Regardless of personal preferences, the term evangelical is increasingly linked with attitudes and behaviors that contradict biblical teachings. While these associations may not always be just, they are commonly employed by society to critique religion. Regrettably, some members of the evangelical community exhibit behaviors and attitudes that do not exemplify Christ effectively. Certain self-professed evangelical Christians rigidly connect non-essential viewpoints with the legitimacy of faith. Choosing to disassociate from the evangelical label should not automatically be interpreted as a rejection of Christianity.

More recently, there has been a trend for exvangelical to describe individuals progressing beyond mere disassociation to activelyOpposing evangelicalism. Increasingly, individuals who identify with that label embrace progressive, secular, or anti-biblical perspectives. They adopt the term “exvangelical” to indicate their opposition to evangelical beliefs and to reject fundamental aspects of biblical faith in favor of a more personalized “faith” that aligns with their preferences. In extreme situations, these exvangelicals simply switch allegiances while retaining the same biased and unforgiving attitudes they supposedly abandoned. This phenomenon is linked to the concept of “deconstruction”; in reality, it is often used as a guise to renounce faith under the guise of pursuing truth.

Given the evolving interpretations of these terms, it is advisable to proceed with caution. It is crucial to understand precisely what an individual intends when using—or claiming—the term exvangelical. Similarly, individuals who opt not to identify as “evangelical” should be approached with careful consideration, as stated in Romans 12:18. More significant than the label one adopts or their stance on peripheral matters is their embrace of the gospel (1 Corinthians 2:2;1 Corinthians 9:16).