1910–1976

From fundamentalism to American neo-evangelicalism: "The Fundamentals," Carl Henry, Billy Graham

In 1910–1915 the American series "The Fundamentals" defended the inspiration of Scripture, Christ's deity, and other basics of the faith against liberalism. It laid the basis for an interdenominational conservative coalition.

In 1941–1942 conservatives split between the separatist American Council of Churches and the less radical National Association of Evangelicals. In 1947 Carl Henry's tract "The Uneasy Conscience of Modern Fundamentalism" rebuked fundamentalism for abandoning social responsibility. It gave rise to neo-evangelicalism, which kept the doctrine but dropped separatism.

In 1949 Billy Graham began an international evangelistic ministry. In 1956 Carl Henry became founding editor of "Christianity Today." The magazine was launched with Graham's support as a conservative alternative to the liberal "Christian Century."

The movement styled itself a "third force" alongside Catholicism and the World Council of Churches. Meanwhile, the 1973 "Chicago Declaration" revealed a split among evangelicals over social responsibility.