“Evangelical,” on the other hand, although it is a fine term, does not quite seem to designate clearly enough the position of those who hold specifically to the system of doctrine taught in the Westminster Confession of Faith, as distinguished from other systems which are near enough to the truth in order that they may be called “evangelical” but which yet fall short of being the system that is contained in God’s Word.
—J. Gresham Machen, “What Is Orthodoxy?”
R. Scott Clark
R.Scott Clark is the President of the Heidelberg Reformation Association, the author and editor of, and contributor to several books and the author of many articles. He is professor emeritus of church history and historical theology at Westminster Seminary California, where he taught for 29 years. He also taught at Wheaton College, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Concordia University. He has hosted the Heidelblog since 2007 and the Heidelcast since 2009.
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“Evangelical” means “of the Gospel”, and if we lose sight of the Gospel and its power, then the term “Evangelical” means nothing. Hence, we have shouting sects in America labeled “Evangelical”, and European state churches headed by female bishops which teach that Jesus remained dead called “Evangelische” or “Evangelsk”.