INTRODUCTION

The approach adopted in this essay is largely descriptive, looking at some distinctive features of Asian evangelicalism. But in order to flesh out these features, some comparison and contrast will be made with its older, Western counterpart on the one hand and with non-evangelical expressions of Protestant Christianity in Asia on the other.

The terms “evangelical” and “theology” in the title as understood in the West cannot be transferred into Asia without further qualifications. This is because, as Paul Freston has pointed out, evangelicalism in the non-Western world cannot be defined in strictly institutional terms and in the way it is understood in the West. One could still use a “working definition” like David Bebbington's which highlights four features: conversionism (the belief that lives can be changed), activism (the expression of the gospel in some form of effort, especially in mission and evangelism), biblicism (a particular regard for the Bible as a source and norm for truth), and crucicentrism (a stress on the sacrifice of Christ on the cross). But these beliefs are much more widespread in Asia. There is, of course, an Asian evangelicalism that corresponds closely to its Western forms, including various national “evangelical fellowships” which maintain links with similar fellowships elsewhere under the umbrella of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), and regional theological fraternities affiliated with the WEA Theological Commission. In Asia, the latter is represented by the Asia Theological Association (ATA).