TGIF
Confession is good for the soul…though it probably won’t be good to do it on a blog.
Still, a confession I must make.
I have allowed a spirit of bitterness, yea, even of contempt, to enter my heart over a group of brethren.
Though I love and respect many of them individually, I recoil even at the mention of the word “evangelical”.
There, I said it.
The election was but the final straw…this has been a long time coming.
Endless battles over abuse, history, science, and debating mental health issues started my decline.
There were differences in theology and ecclesiology.
The politics just sealed the deal.
I can deal with the foibles of every orthodox sect in Christendom (even the one I belong to) but spare me all that carry the evangelical label.
I have attributed every negative religious connotation to evangelicalism, whether I would say them out loud or not.
In my defense, I would allow that this is not entirely without reason,as noted.
Some sin isn’t without reason, in part.
It is still sin.
For me, it’s not only sin, but a repudiation of some values that I hold very deeply.
I’m an ecumenicist to the core…which is one reason why Anglicanism fits me like a glove.
There is room at our table for all sorts of orthodox ideas to thrive while still being distinctly Anglican.
As Duane recently pointed out to me, he and I have self identified ourselves as “catholic evangelicals”.
It is a broader embrace, but still based on core evangelical beliefs.
I betray all of that when I hold ill will toward any group of orthodox believers.
So…there you have it.
I confess my sin and confess that I’ve played the hypocrite.
I will not not expect forgiveness, but it is welcomed if offered.
I invite our evangelical readers to remind me of the positive aspects of the movement.
I invite them to expect the same respect offered other groups here and contend with me when I don’t.
Confession is easier than repentance…but I’m working on it.
I already made all the applications necessary…
Dealing with each individual, one at a time, is the surest way to brotherhood/sisterhood. Give me on enemy and I can probably turn us into friends.
I think that’s how Jesus wants me to spend my time, one relationship at a time, on it’s merits, building merits one moment at a time.
…my mileage varies based on how uphill the ride is together, resisting the temptation to speed, and I’ve found a 2 seater convertible is the best vehicle for my soul.
Michael
Oh my… yes, I’m still an evangelical at heart, but with the wonderful gift of catholicity. God Bless You, my brother.
Michael, this evangelical has never felt offended by you, so i can’t forgive you …
spiritually, i am mostly a product of the Dallas Theological theology as taught by the late R.B. Thieme … yet, i decided to continue to align with the evangelicals because we are a simple people (thus easily infiltrated by power hungry opportunists)
only God knows the depths of our hearts – the good and the bad, but there is a need to call the emperor naked when he has no clothes on (righteousness) and you have done that, standing strong (as God intended, i think)… the flock is infested with naked emperors … there just seem to be too many in leadership who plainly do not understand the holiness of the God they claim to represent
throughout my now 80+ years on this earth when i look back it was the evangelicals (the real, the Redeemed ones) who had the kindest hearts and the best intentions … lots of pretenders? yes, yet some here who are so sure their camp has it right have bad actors, also … it’s too easy for them to enter the fold of the evangelicals, i guess and thus there are more here … that said, i know of no group that is not infested to some degree 🙂
Duane, thanks as always…
Em,
I’m supposed to tell it like it is and sometimes I have to do so about myself.
I’ve spoken at depth with Duane and pstrmike about these issues and felt I needed to deal with it here.
The evangelicals like yourself and Josh who are part of this community deserve no less than the best I can do.
God also spoke to me a bit…
One shouldn’t need to apologize for who they are in Christ. What is that to others anyway? We all must believe and follow him as we see fit, for we will answer to Him alone. We are all different and uniquely designed and empowered to do the work he calls us to do. We may differ but He is the same, and it is proved by the fact that He loves us all despite our individual strengths and weaknesses. God bless you for your honesty.
Thanks Michael for this and your honesty. I once played the evangelical part, but last several years have not referred to myself as anything other than “Christian” – basically ’cause I got tired of labels, and the said foibles of Evangelicals. So no offense taken here, but I really do admire your honesty here. Also refreshing to see this in light of the animosity, and, frankly, the almost frothing-at-the-mouth disdain directed towards Evangelicals by those under the umbrella of liberal/progressive Christianity. This is a refreshing place (this blog) to be at times.
Michael, I have never felt you treated evangelicals in general wrongly. However does your confession extend to fundamentalism as well? Fundamentalism seems to be a subset of evangelicalism with a particular rigid way of looking at things. It probably deserves even more criticism but for the most part I would say they are orthodox.
Good article. I don’t know the whole story of what you’ve experienced in Evangelicalism but I know it must’ve been rough. And you hear a lot more dark stuff as the writer of this blog. In light of this this really shows your love for Jesus and following His Way. It’s through these honest discussions that peace is made.
Sounds like a healing revelation and burden relieving thought process. Glorious.
Steve,
There are fundamentalists in every group…and I find them all difficult.
They are usually orthodox… and think you’re not… 🙂
JoelG,
I have walked many miles through the religious sewers and it has jaded me.
Thanks for understanding, my friend.
I will give more reflection to this. I consider myself a post-evangelical that currently sees no home port. Perhaps the time at sea will do me good.
I appreciate the thought, and I understand the angst towards a lot of people who are under the evangelical umbrella.
But it sounds like you’ve recognized something within yourself that needs to change, and that is commendable.
((((Hugs)))))
I tried to post when I was on the road… guess it didn’t come through. Evangelical was a self-designation of the early german reformers over against protestant. It was their preferred self-referent I believe. It is a good moniker in that Luther’s driving issue initially was his own relationship with God and later it was the church’s abuses of that relationship that seemed to drive the pastor.
Evangelical morphed until it became the public face of the moral majority. That effort was the purview of those who felt the personal morality of fundamental christians should be the public morality of us all. Like all external efforts to achieve holiness it exploded in their faces. So now evangelical is seen as the moral secret police of public christianity.
Of course Michael I am sure your critique is more insightful and precise. As for your confession we should all say ‘ego te absolvo’
I will remain one who loves the movement as a modern day expression of the desire to know God and be his. As a student I can see it more objectively. As a man who remembers the kid who needed Jesus let me just say that none of the liturgical churches of my childhood moved me to know him or desire him. As I told my Lutheran mother, the Lutheran church is wonderful if you know the Lord but if not you are unlikely to find him. Not surprised to find many lapsed evangelicals finding their way home to the liturgical nest.
As for me… it won’t happen. I will remain at large in the swamp of the free churches and their excessive kin.
aah The freie Kirche Sumpf!!!
I attended the traditional service of a community church last Sunday that was seasoned well with Reformation Sunday salt. We did responsive readings through the the first few Thesis of Luther and of biblical passages.We sang a few hymns and a few newer songs. Celebrating the Eucharist would have been the icing on the cake.
I spent some time at a conference at Bethel last spring, I almost renewed my Pentecostal card , but the booth was closed. I vacillate between wanting something more liturgical and staying free-range, which of course always has its limits. Perhaps a blend of both is in order for me.
I am a “fisher of men” in that I share the Gospel message with others. Since 1967 I have enjoyed this. It, to me seems to be my calling in the Lord. I heard the statement, “Follow me and I will make you a fisher of men.” Being a simple man, this is my great joy in life. Both Greg Laurie and I heard Christ in much the same way.
Until I came here to Phoenix Preacher I never gave it much though as to what I am As far as evangelical or otherwise. We “Jesus People” were simple in our understanding of the Gospel message.
Walk with God, share Christ with others and look forward to the day when we will be forever with the Lord is our simple concept of Christianity.
As such I see no reason for the need to forgive my Brother Micheal if he perceives a much different concept of Christianity than mayself. If Christ is his Lord and Savior and he walks with God, he is my brother.
Some are called to my concept of Christianity and others are called to a much deeper concept. I see no problems with that.
Praise God we all will attend the wedding feast of the Lamb together one day. And what a day that will be as Phil Keggy sang so long ago.