First, greetings to everyone. I'm excited to be part of this.
Let me start with something upon which everyone might agree. No matter how some of us wish that evangelicals are currently defined and no matter how much we might embrace or reject evangelical tenets, the word 'evangelical' has become primarily a political term.
Whether Hanna is writing about evangelical culture or Jeff is writing about their political goals or Jerry is writing about what evangelicals should be or Michael is writing about how evangelicals are perceived, the reality is that our common definition is largely a political definition. Evangelicals are not defined by their theology in early 21st Century America.
There is a very legitimate argument that says it shouldn't be this way. Jerry's post is nearest and dearest to me because I agree so passionately with what he writes. Evangelicals should be defined by their humble, self-sacrificial service. Many, many, many evangelicals are. The problem is very few think of those evangelicals when debating anything about evangelicals.
What people think of when they think of evangelicals - whether it is ontologically accurate or not - are issues like abortion, gay marriage, and furthering a political agenda through the culture.
So, here are my questions. And since we are having this discussion on Beliefnet, a spiritual forum, my questions are going to veer toward the spiritual:
Jerry - How do we begin to change that perception? You give tremendous examples of evangelicals who are serving and loving - how do we get more and more Christians to do that? Christians, for instance, like me?
Jeff - What would it take for you to be less forlorn about evangelical attempts to form/shape/manipulate/dominate the political/cultural scene? And/or, what sort of engagement could you welcome?
Michael - What do you see as the most under-reported but promising parts of evangelicalism today (in terms of living up to Jesus' Gospel)?
Hanna - Did you see the tension between the spiritual and political play out at Patrick Henry College in a way that was different from the rest of your experience reporting on evangelicals in the political world?
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hello to whoever is reading this, I come to you as a concerned Christian. It seems to me that there is a war going on and the United States is a key player. Its not the war in Iraq, its the war between liberals and conservatives saying that God is a republican or God is a liberal and I say how dare these people use the almighty to promote a certain political agenda, liberal or conservative it needs to end stop the feud brothers and sisters and regarding the "self sacrificing humble attitude" of evangelicals I am as I said a christian but I know that I'm not self-sacrificing and that I could be more humble I dont consider myself humble I try to be but I know I'm imperfect I thought thats what Jesus taught
First I want to thank Don for defining what it means to be an evangelical. As those committed to proclaiming the Gospel and honoring the Word, we go forward to express the love of God to a lost and dying world that desperately needs a Savior, Jesus Christ. Instead of talking about people and judging them solely on the basis of their behavior, we as evangelicals are to look past the behavior and simply implore others to carefully examine their own heart, not before us, but before holiness of God. He is their judge. We are to proclaim that freedom is available, that light has come to expel the darkness, and that reconciliation between people and their Creator has been provided for through Jesus Christ. It is the Holy Spirit's job to convict men in regard to their transgressions as they are confronted by the teachings of Christ. We are all under accountability. The question is, will we submit to Christ's authority in our life? For as we say yes to Christ, His spirit cries out for holiness within us, for unity with God, for empathy and the desire to serve our neighbor. So may each of us examine our hearts, for that is the part of us that Jesus was truly concerned about.
the Christian faith is instructed to evangelize. i don't believe we're specifically to do so with our mouth or by our walk or in the way we tithe to God, but we are to evangelize with our talents. we all have our individual talents. regardless of our denomination, as Christians, we are instructed to evangelize. so that makes us what? yes, evangelists. we are in this together.
politically, i don't see the assualt on evangelists alone, but believers in God. this would include the Jews as well. we all agree upon the book of Genesis, let's not forget. prayer in school, one nation under Whom, in Whom we trust. grateful as i am for the Saviour, it is the Creator Who is under attack. as a result both the chosen and the saved will be the victims.
There are many evangelicals left behind your definition of evangelical, historically and presently.
For the sake of being more generous with our definitions let me suggest that evangelicals are those that believe two things are central to their faith:
1) Personal experience with God in the person of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit and;
2) Belief in the importance and authority of scripture (could include inerrancy, but not necessarily)
I would like to start by saying I have no problem with the Mormon's statement of faith regarding the Gospels and specific references to St. Paul. What I do have a problem with is the Book of Mormom as it relates to Joseph Smith. Specifically the issue I have is his not testing the spirits from which he received his information. Maybe I missed it but I have not found any mention of his application of 1 John 4;
1 Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2
This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh be longs to God,
3
and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus 2 does not belong to God. This is the spirit of the antichrist that, as you heard, is to come, but in fact is already in the world.
4
You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them, for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
5
They belong to the world; accordingly, their teaching belongs to the world, and the world listens to them.
6
We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us, while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us. This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.
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