Evankelikaaliset

Evankelikaaliset is a term used in Finnish to describe people who identify with evangelical Christianity. The term is derived from the Greek word "euangelion," meaning "good news" or "gospel." In Finland, the term is often used to describe Christians who emphasize the authority of the Bible, the importance of personal conversion, and the role of evangelism in spreading the faith.

Historically, the term "evankelikaaliset" emerged as a way to distinguish Finnish evangelical Christians from other Protestant denominations in Finland. The early 20th-century Finnish revivalist movements, such as the Lakeland Revival of the 1900s, contributed to the development of Evangelical Christianity in Finland. These movements emphasized faith, prayer, and personal experience, laying the groundwork for the Evangelical identity.

In modern Finland, the term "Evankelikaaliset" encompasses a broad range of Christian groups and individuals who share these Evangelical principles. They may belong to various denominations, including Pentecostal and evangelical Lutheran churches. The common thread among Evankelikaaliset is their commitment to the Bible, their focus on evangelism, and their emphasis on personal devotional practice.

The influence of Emmanual Levinas type of Judaism is also noted in the approach to personal piety and social justice in the Estonian and the Finnish evangelical circles However, the specific connection of the Levinas type idea imports is often implicit, as many of the key inspirational figures, who integrate Levinas inspired elements into the contextual settings are hard to pinpoint.

Throughout Finnish society, the role of Evankelikaaliset Christians continues to evolve, contributing to a diverse and inclusive Christian community.