An exvangelical is someone who was once an evangelical Christian but has since left evangelicalism. The term “evangelical” refers to a movement within Protestant Christianity that emphasizes the authority of the Bible, salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, and spreading the Christian gospel. Key features of evangelicalism include:
- A belief in the inerrancy and supreme authority of the Bible
- An emphasis on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
- A belief that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone
- A commitment to spreading the gospel and making converts
- Adherence to historic Protestant theology and practice
Evangelicalism has its roots in the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. In the English-speaking world, evangelicals became more prominent starting in the 18th century with leaders like John Wesley and George Whitefield. In the United States, evangelicals have played a major role in shaping Christian culture and politics. Many of the largest Protestant denominations, like the Southern Baptist Convention and Assemblies of God, identify as evangelical.
In recent decades, the evangelical movement has faced criticism both from outside and within. Some charge that evangelicals have become too closely aligned with political conservatism. Others argue that evangelical churches have not adequately addressed issues like racism, sexism, homophobia, and abuse. This has led some individuals to disaffiliate from evangelicalism, becoming exvangelicals.
There are a variety of reasons why people choose to leave evangelicalism:
Theological Shifts
Some exvangelicals experience changes in their theological beliefs or values that put them at odds with evangelical orthodoxy. For example:
– Coming to reject the doctrine of Biblical inerrancy
– Embracing more progressive or liberal theology
– Rejecting substitutionary atonement (that Christ died for our sins)
– Supporting female leadership and egalitarian gender roles
– Affirming LGBTQ identities and relationships
The Bible teaches that Scripture is “breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). However, some exvangelicals decide that the Bible is not free from error or culturally-bound perspectives. This diverges from the evangelical view of the absolute authority of Scripture. Others shift theologically as they wrestle with perceived tensions over gender, sexuality, and social justice.
Disillusionment with Christian Culture
Some people disengage from evangelicalism because they are disappointed by aspects of evangelical culture. For example:
– Feeling that evangelical churches are overly political
– Sensing a lack of empathy for marginalized groups
– Perceiving hypocrisy or moral failings among leaders
– Disagreeing with positions on social issues like abortion or LGBTQ rights
– Finding church messaging shallow, anti-intellectual, or judgmental
While evangelicals aim to bring faith to bear on public life and live out Christian values, some feel that evangelicalism has become too aligned with partisan agendas. They also believe that evangelical culture sometimes promotes harmful rhetoric, particularly toward those who don’t fit traditional expectations. This leads them to distance themselves from the label “evangelical.”
Changes in Community or Relationships
Leaving evangelicalism can also stem from shifts in one’s community or close relationships:
– Making friends outside evangelicalism who expose them to new ideas
– Losing connection to an evangelical community after moving or life changes
– Feelings of alienation after coming out as LGBTQ
– Romantic relationships with non-evangelicals that aren’t approved of
– Family members rejecting an evangelical identity
While many evangelicals aim to maintain close communal ties, some end up leaving their faith communities as their social networks evolve. Their relationships and dialogues outside evangelicalism impact their perspectives and allegiance.
Hurts or Harm from the Church
In some cases, exvangelicals associate evangelicalism with personal trauma or abuse:
– Spiritual abuse from authoritarian churches or toxic theology
– Racism, sexism, homophobia or rejection experienced in the church
– Sexual abuse from a church leader or cover-ups of abuse
– Legalism, manipulation, or micromanagement in the church
Although evangelical churches aim to provide faithful pastoral care, some people feel deeply wounded by negative experiences in evangelical communities. This understandably motivates them to sever ties.
Disinterest in Religion
Finally, some exvangelicals drift away from evangelicalism primarily because their religious beliefs or interest in spirituality has waned. Signs of this may include:
– Attention and energy previously spent on faith directed elsewhere
– Disconnection from church community and Christian practices
– Pursuing secular interests, hobbies, and relationships
– Identifying as agnostic, atheist, or nothing in particular
While evangelicals see faith as central to life, some find their spiritual passion cooling for a variety of reasons. Life priorities simply shift away from religious involvement.
The decision to leave evangelicalism is highly personal and often complex. Exvangelicals have diverse stories and motivations. While some fully abandon Christianity, others seek out alternative church communities or maintain cultural or social ties to evangelicalism. Some do feel bitterness toward their past faith, while others maintain fondness for aspects of evangelicalism.
There are also demographic patterns in who chooses to leave evangelicalism. According to research from the Public Religion Research Institute, exvangelicals are more likely to be white, college-educated, and under 50 years old. Their departure reflects larger generational shifts in attitudes toward organized religion in America, especially among younger adults.
It’s also important to note that some Christians dispute the “exvangelical” label, arguing that if someone truly believes in Jesus they cannot completely reject evangelicalism. Others question whether disillusioned millennials accurately understood biblical faith or were part of spiritually healthy churches. There are certainly cases where those leaving evangelicalism lack theological grounding or had distorted religious experiences.
However, for many exvangelicals, their issues with evangelicalism are rooted in thoughtful examination of both Biblical teachings and contemporary religious culture. These experiences should prompt self-reflection within evangelicalism about how to more authentically live out the gospel. There are valuable lessons to learn from exvangelical stories that can lead to reformation.
At times in the Gospels, Jesus himself clashed with the religious establishment. He denounced hypocrisy, empty ritualism, and burdensome rules (Matthew 15:1-9, Matthew 23:13-36). The Bereans were commended for not blindly accepting the teachings of even the Apostle Paul but examining the Scriptures for themselves (Acts 17:10-12). A healthy Christian faith can thoughtfully integrate both loyalty to Biblical truth and openness to sanctified change.
