Turning the Tide?

[ste_noni]

Up until a few years ago, when asked about my religious beliefs, I would not have hesitated to describe myself as an evangelical Christian. However, in the last few years, the word "evangelical" and even "Christian" to a certain extent has become associated with a pro-Bush, flag-waving, anti-gay, anti-judicial independence point of view. I'm none of those things. I mean, I am patriotic, but I'm definitely the sort of patriot that believes that questioning the government strengthens it. Anyway, if someone I don't know now asks me about my religious beliefs, I usually give a rather roundabout answer. I'm not embarrassed by what I believe, but I don't want to be associated with all those,...well...christjackers is how debg has put it and I think it's an accurate term.

I just happened upon this article today in the NYT, Disowning Conservative Politics, Evangelical Pastor Rattles Flock. It sounded like what I'd been feeling the last few years so I clicked on the link to read more. Imagine my surprise when I realized that I actually know this pastor. He was a professor of mine in college over 15 years ago. He was amazing even then - students flocked to hear him speak on almost any topic. I've read the book mentioned in the article and have even given a few copies of it to friends who were searching and interested in learning more about Christianity. I did not know he was a pastor now, but the church he founded is in my hometown. (I would so love to find a church like that here in PR.)

Back to my point. The article says:

After refusing each time [to endorse political candidates or issues], Mr. Boyd finally became fed up, he said. Before the last presidential election, he preached six sermons called “The Cross and the Sword” in which he said the church should steer clear of politics, give up moralizing on sexual issues, stop claiming the United States as a “Christian nation” and stop glorifying American military campaigns.

“When the church wins the culture wars, it inevitably loses,” Mr. Boyd preached. “When it conquers the world, it becomes the world. When you put your trust in the sword, you lose the cross.”

I can't say enough how much I agree with this sentiment. It's not just separation of church and state. Christianity itself is diminished when it tries to become the "world." I had two more thoughts here, about Paul and Constantine, but both boil down to how God is ultimately more glorified when belief is genuine and not tainted by pressure to conform because it's popular or patriotic.

I don't talk about my religious beliefs here very often - mostly because of what I mentioned in the beginning - not wanting to be associated with the crazy neo-cons. I had to say something, however, when I read this article. Here, finally, is an influential, successful, and (religiously) conservative Christian saying that Jesus is not a Republican. Hallelujah!

Comments

[sophiap.livejournal.com]

Oh, that is so wonderful to read. I found myself nodding like a bobble-head at everything you wrote there.

If you can, see if you can get your hands on a copy of "Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality" by Jack Rogers. I'm only partway through it, and it's utterly amazing. This 70-some-odd year old fairly conservative Presbyterian minister has changed his mind completely on the issue of homosexuality through studying the Bible, and also through looking at how the church in the past had justified things such as slavery or the subjugation of women.

[jonquil.livejournal.com]

I have been trying to say more often "I am a Christian" (even though my theology is much more liberal than yours) because I want to stand up for there being many different kinds of Christians. I'm nervous about it, because I don't think I'm that good a representative, and because after seven years of living in the Bible Belt, witnessing of any kind makes me feel like One of Them. But if you and I don't speak up, we let Them be the only public face of our beliefs.

I thought your former teacher sounded like a very good man.