There are three ways of defining and counting U.S. evangelicals: by belief, by church affiliation and by self-identification. Shoemaker's analysis, which is open to some nitpicking, started from the belief aspect and a four-point definition by historian David Bebbington in his 1989 work "Evangelicalism in Modern Britain."

In summary, these are his criteria:

1) a high view of the Bible as Christians' ultimate authority

The Apostle Philip said to Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us" (John 14:8). For us to be transformed, it is enough for us to experience the Father at deep and abiding levels - for it is from that relationship that all of the meaning of life flows. Consequently, we must pursue Him through worship and prayer--pouring out our love for Him and receiving into ourselves the confidence and assurance of His love for us.

For many who had appreciated and benefited from James Innell Packer's writing ministry--the author of more than 300 books, journal articles, book reviews, dictionary entries, and innumerable forewords--this was saddening news.

In the third century, during the so-called Plague of Cyprian, a bishop named Dionysius described the actions of Christians who "Heedless of danger ... took charge of the sick and attended to their every need." Cyprian of Carthage (who described the effects of the plague in sermons) while recognizing the community grief for the victims of the plague, encouraged believers to surpass themselves in their care for the living.