Powerful Faith (Michael Lindsay)

There certainly does seem to be a shift taking place in Evangelicalism. There is a new generation not just of leaders but of Christians in general who are eschewing extremes and gravitating more towards the center, towards balance. It is good news, because faith is important to a large number of people, including many who have probably kept quiet about it for fear of being tarred with the same brush as the extremists. If we can marginalize the marginal voices of the extremists, it will be a good thing for Evangelicalism, for the reputation of Christianity, and for the country as a whole.

http://exploringourmatrix.blogspot.com

The core beliefs may be summarized as The Apostle's Creed. Second, if there are 30 to 40 million Evangelicals in Americ one would assume a large number are in politics, business, industry, film, science, etc. Many of us cut out teeth in the Sixties and Seventies so we have good educations, many international exp, varied political experiences, business acumen, an entrepreneurial bent along with our faith in God.

As for our age, we have a wide variety but since we developed our faith among the Boomers we are likely to be over 50 and wizened in the ways of getting things done. The current policies of the government arose from that last wave of Christian evangelicals and Mainline Believers and now it is our time. (See Nobel Economist Robert Fogel.) So, if there are over 30 million Evangelical Boomers in the uSA there is no way to stop the Movement.

Not sure if Michael meant to suggest as much, but when I referred to "my way or the highway (to Hell)," I certainly wasn't thinking of evangelical orthodoxy. In the context of my post, it's clear that I meant Jerry's "Left Behind" books. Which sounds uncharitable, I know, but there it is -- Jerry seems like a gentle soul in real life, but his viction is violent and black & white.

I'm not sure about that distinction between Falwell and Warren. Falwell, despite his public image, was a great compromiser, of course -- that's how he built power. And he accepted as allies all sorts of people an unbending evangelical might condemn. Not the same people Warren works with. Warren's willing to work with enviros, LGBT, etc. Falwell was willing to work with folks I consider a lot more godless -- starting with Grover Norquist, and crawling down the evolutionary ladder to some real thugs who had not an iota of interest in faith.

I believe in God the Father Almighty,
Creator of Heaven and Earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven and is seated
at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church,
the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.

Contrary to popular belief, the term One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church does not refer to the Roman Catholic Church per se. The term Catholic means "Universal". This Universal faith in Christ and through the teaching of the Apostles makes us Christians. That is why it is painful to see division among Christian ministries (i.e. Catholic bashing, Mormon bashing, Vineyard fellowship bashing, etc.). When we indeed become "One in the Spirit" and fellowship together; I think the Heavens will truly smile on us. Our day of judgement won't come at the hands of the Evangelical ministers; it will come by God alone. He is the only One who can judge which behaviors or beliefs are acceptable and which should be condemned. I pray that all who serve Him (regardless of the doctrine chosen)will be righteously rewarded in our time of judgement.