Can Evangelical Journalists Say Anything Good about Evangelicals?

Can Evangelical Journalists Say Anything Good about Evangelicals?

This article in the National Review asks questions about critics of evangelicalism (which I’m considered one of) that are important and worth something of an answer.

I was born into evangelicalism…even after growing away from it, my primary mentor for years was J.I. Packer …who considered himself an “evangelical Anglican”.

This site was supported for years primarily by evangelicals and has been abandoned primarily by evangelicals.

I do no any longer consider myself an evangelical…the best I can figure out for an identity is an “Anglican in exile”.

One of the great theological differences between Anglicanism and evangelicalism is that the altar is the center of worship rather than the pulpit.

When you drape a rainbow flag over the altar it ruins the purpose.

I digress…

I’d like to address a couple things that stood out to me…not a complete response to be sure, but what I can do this morning.

“In their critiques, there is little demonstrated willingness to consider whether Evangelicals have any justification to feel besieged by a grimly secularizing culture. If you do acknowledge the grave moral threats posed by progressive ideology, you are quickly dismissible as “fearful” or as more interested in the “culture war.” They cannot grant the Evangelical concern that progressive ideology countermands God’s natural law and harms civilization.”

To be honest, I agree with this…to a degree.

We do not affirm the concerns of many and they are valid concerns.

‘Progressive” sexual standards and the rejection of even “civic” religion has had an incredibly negative effect on the culture and we have not yet begun to pay the price for this.

The problem we have (if it indeed is a problem) is that in a democracy, the majority voice wins…and if the majority voice supports say ,gay marriage, then we are left to persuade in another way than politics.

The Christian faith is spread through proclaiming and living the Gospel, not by political power.

I can amen lots of criticisms of our current culture…but not the methods we’re using trying to change it.

“But I have a question of great concern and a plea for clarity: Has anyone else noticed that many Christian journalists have gone more or less silent on issues of cultural controversy that intersect with the so-called culture war? For example, I haven’t heard an affirmation of the exclusivity of Christ, the inerrancy of Scripture, or biblical views on abortion or sexuality in years from many who write at these outlets. When was the last time one of these writers picked up their pen or used their platform to defend the interests of conservative Evangelicals in any meaningful way, even if it put them at odds with their cosmopolitan readership?”

For the record..I defend the exclusivity of Christ, although I reject inerrancy, I completely believe in the authority of Scripture, and hold to a historical and tradition view of human sexuality.

The difference is that I pastor Christians…I have no expectation that those who are not believers adopt or defend these positions and I sure as hell don’t think forcing it on people politically works.

“Furthermore, they tell us that individuals are leaving the church in droves because of Evangelical hypocrisy and captivity to politicization (data suggest other factors at play). The Evangelical church is its own worst enemy, we’re told, and is bleeding individuals because secularists and Christians alike are convinced that the Evangelical church does not really believe its own confession.”

I’m sorry that this author and others cannot see it…but after 25 years of dealing with the church’s refusal to deal with their own sins and scandals, you will never convince me that this isn’t true.

“Adherents of the new liberalism are, I fear, disguising theological shifts by scapegoating millions of Christians and using personal anecdotes to legitimate their grievances and palliate their transformation. This, while appeasing an audience of elites looking to validate their contempt of Evangelicals. If that is not the case, and let us hope sincerely that it is not, it would be good to hear it. It seems almost impossible to devote one’s energies to slamming your fellow Evangelical and not have that affect your own views or the posture in which you hold them.”

i’m ignorant as to what the “new liberalism” is as I’m not steeped in political jargon.

My theological transformations have not been hidden, I’ve written about them all as I went, because theology is both a public and private practice. I’ve had very few people leave the site over my theological thoughts…I’ve had scores leave because my theological views do not comport with their politics. It is not just the critics of evangelicalism that refuse the good faith conversation…

“Non-Christians are not failing to become Christians because of Christian consistency. Jerry Falwell Jr., though a sad spectacle, is no threat to God’s sovereignty. We could exemplify every virtue imaginable, and the world would still hate us. Why? Because the world loves darkness (John 3:19).”

The inconsistency of Christians and the embrace of cretins for the sake of power have indeed kept many from the left and caused others to desert it. Falling back on some notion of the “sovereignty of God” is a bad faith argument and terrible theology. Yes, the world would still hate us if we cleaned up the messes…but we’d be hated for the right reasons…

“For every Evangelical scandal, I can point you towards an example of an Evangelical doing things that will never get them profiled in any of these elite publications. No one cares when a Christian does Christian things.”

Truth…almost.

Christians have done and do many good works that affect scores of lives, but we don’t publicize them.

My own little church does everything it can within its circle of influence to better the lives of people.

Despite some differences this site is still here due to the generosity of believers.

I’m still alive because some of you have helped when you knew the need. You know who you are…

When a Christian does Christian things it has a huge impact on those who receive Christian love.

What we need to be known for is love…and the way of Jesus.

In conclusion…I personally receive this criticism, though I don’t have the time to address it all.

I have a love for anyone who calls on the name of Christ…labels are only helpful to a limited degree.

I have always been one that embraced a “big tent” Christianity…and I still do.

Evangelicals are in the tent…even after they try to drag me out.