Evangelical No More
In my last post I said I hadn’t been writing because it was proving difficult to focus on any one thing to write about. The other part of the equation is the internal wrestling I have been doing in terms of how I define myself.
Over the last few months I have spoken out against systemic racism in the U.S.A.. Doing so has not been without cost. In particular, when I have raised the question as to whether people understand the source of the anger that has pushed some folks to engage in heated rhetoric and outbursts of violence it has often not been well received. Posing the question on the Twitter feed of a local candidate for State office I have found myself being told that I, “have to be the worst pastor ever.” With another person stating, “Glad you’re not my pastor.”
While these accusations may seem, and are, minor, they also cut deep. As a pastor my primary concern is to proclaim that coming of the kingdom of God and invite people to take their place in God’s kingdom as bearers of the image of God. When I invite others to look and see the pain and hurt caused to some people as a result of an oppressive system and all they want to do is defend the system and attack me instead it breaks my heart, as I believe it breaks the heart of God.
The accusations being thrown my way remind of the words of Paul to Timothy, “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” There are too many people today merely looking to have their views confirmed and are more than willing to turn to conspiracy theories and myths to validate their position - the idea of the Deep State or Qanaon are great examples of this.
The last few months have also seen me lose Christian friendships in both the world of social media and real life. These folks simply chose to step out of dialogue and engagement with me in examining the Scriptures to develop a fuller theological understanding on issues of justice and the place of the church in society. Again this has been emotionally taxing and painful.
Finally, I have been wrestling with the term “evangelical.” It is a term that I have embraced as representing my faith for the last thirty-five years. As British historian, David Bebbington defines evangelicalism I would say I still embrace it. The idea that a person needs to undergo a conversion to Christianity (conversionism), the passion to share the good news of Jesus with others (activism), the centrality and authority of the Bible in the life of the Church (biblicism), and the importance of the atoning death of Christ on the cross (crucicentrism) still form the core of my theological mindset. However, while this may be an accepted academic definition of evangelical, the term in our culture no longer carries anything close to this association.
At least in the American context, I no longer believe the term evangelical can be redeemed. It has been politicized in a manner that deprives it of all historical meaning. Therefore, it is no longer a descriptor that I can apply to myself.
It has taken me quite some time to come to this position. My theological convictions have not changed, the world around me has. I am thankful for the likes of John Fea, Gerardo Marti, Ron Sider, Kristin Kobes Du Mez, and Drew Hart who remind me that I am not alone.
Where does this leave me? I will continue to pursue the theology I can find. I will continue to be a lifelong learner and grow in my faith and knowledge of God through Jesus Christ. I will continue to study the Bible and allow it to mold and shape my life as I seek to be God’s image bearer in the world.
As David wrote at the end of what we know as the 27th Psalm,
I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
