‘An Evangelical Manifesto’

al mohler? important analysis? isn’t that a contradiction in terms? :)

just kidding … kinda. :)

i’m enjoying reading the various opinions here and there around the web. i had some hesitations and misgivings before reading the document, but i’m actually quite impressed and invigorated after taking in the whole of what it addresses.

one of the things i like is that the authors have chosen not to list creationism and inerrancy as non-negotiables. for the first, there’s very little biblical justification anymore behind whatever the latest flavor of anti-natural-selection dessert is being served up; for the latter, somehow we can admit that we can’t prove the existence of God, but goshdarnit we have a golden egg this unprovable God laid right here. still, some people hold to these positions; so be it. there’s simply too much of a tendency to add items to the ever-increasing laundry list of ideas and doctrines to which we have to pledge allegiance before we’re allowed into the room marked “Christian.”

nothing’s going to please everybody, and there are a few things i object to. for instance, i don’t agree with this statement: We Evangelicals should be defined theologically, and not politically, socially, or culturally. Jesus’ message uses “action” verbs: teach them to DO as I have commanded you, LOVE God and LOVE your neighbor, by this will all men know … if you LOVE one another. any theology that defines us must have feet.

i did, however, like these words: We are also troubled by the fact that the advance of globalization and the emergence of a global public square finds no matching vision of how we are to live freely, justly, and peacefully with our deepest differences on the global stage. somehow, we’ve got to figure out how we’re going to peacefully share the same bathroom over the next few decades in our ever-shrinking world.

one interesting thing: maybe i missed it, but there doesn’t seem to be a great emphasis on evangelism in this Evangelical Manifesto. do you think that was intentional? i didn’t see a single chick tract referenced in the bibliography…

more than anything, i find myself motivated and energized by the very positive nature of the piece – that it isn’t yet another “here’s everything we’re against” rant but an effort to make the gospel again a message of good news. imagine that – the gospel being good news. American Christianity has lost this defining characteristic that once served it well.

perhaps one unintended benefit of the proposal is a clear opportunity to take this EM (Evangelical Manifesto) and align it with the other EM (Emergent Manifesto) and finally have all our EM & EMs in a row without demonizing the other side.

one can only hope…

mike rucker
fairburn, georgia, usa
mikerucker.wordpress.com

Thanks for responding Mike. I would like to comment about your concern of identifying Evangelicals theologically. It is interesting how you posted an ellipses over an important part of the Bible verse you were referencing. Or in Seinfeld terms, you “yadda-yadda’d” discipleship.

So let me complete that whole reference. “By this shall all men know that YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES if you love one another.”

It’s great to have a passion to “go and do,” but why are we going and what are we doing? There’s a great weakness today in interpreting love in action. There needs to be substance. We need to have an understanding of the Gospel.

I trust your hope is growing in this wonderful message.

Chris

chris -

i didn’t ellipses-ise (?) that phrase with any intent – honest. :)

still, the world sees us as Jesus disciples NOT when we are discussing what we believe but – when? – when it sees the love we have and share.

i think we’d probably agree that both are needed. but we can make a difference in the world by doing regardless of whether not our beliefs are all aligned, or even correct.

i don’t know about you, but i have to watch myself to make sure i’m not pulling back into just being a thinker / writer / teacher of ‘correct’ doctrine – ie, a ‘hearer’ of the word – instead of being salt and light – ie, a ‘doer’ of the word.

varying beliefs have caused divisions for two thousand years. my main point was that we need to start living up to “by their fruits shall ye know them.”

thanks for the interchange.

mike rucker
fairburn, georgia, usa
mikerucker.wordpress.com

Hi Mike,

Sorry for a delayed response. I assume you’ll come back to read this. If not, perhaps I will provoke thought for others.

I believe you that you didn’t intend to overlook discipleship. However, I believe many do neglect how important correct doctrine is when they are involved in benevolent projects. Much “good” could be done that is perceived to be in the name of Christ, yet many are still misled.

We are commanded to “go,” and James instructs us to be doers. I will do my best to obey both.

But also let us remember that we are commanded to go AND MAKE DISCIPLES. That is the most important part of why we do what we do.

Also, I trust you don’t have to pull back too far to be a teacher of correct doctrine. I hope you are actively teaching what is correct.

Chris

Also, Mike, it’s not really necessary to live up to “by their fruits ye shall know them.”

Fruit is a result, whether it’s good or bad. It will be known whether or not you have proper intentions of what you are doing.

Chris