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Welcome to the Gospel Coalition Podcast. In Spring 2022, TGC released a five-part video debate series,

featuring prominent Christian thinkers discussing some of the most divisive issues facing the church

today. On this episode, we're featuring the fifth and final debate in our series,

where Ryan Burge and Andrew Walker engage in a discussion whether evangelicals should

be defined by sociology or theology. Pastor Jim Davis from Orlando Grace Church moderates

this debate. First, you'll hear from Andrew Walker, followed by Ryan Burge. Let's listen in.

I want to argue evangelicalism should be defined fundamentally,

though not exclusively by its theological and historical definitions. My main argument

for this evening is this, defining evangelicalism by political behavior instead of rigorous

doctrinal identity is a logical fallacy. Definitions arrived at by common political activity

cannot explain underlying rationales for political activity. Thus, political definitions of

evangelicalism misunderstand evangelical political ethics and obscures a historic term.

Let me offer one caveat to start. Though I dislike defining evangelicalism politically,

the point in my argument is not that evangelicalism as a theological concept is beyond criticism.

There are tensions to it as a theological category and also legitimate criticisms about its

political activity. Legitimate scrutiny can thus be made about the terms theological elasticity

...