Russel Moore Tells us the New Evangelical Movement is Pagan
Russell Moore held a high post in the Southern Baptist Convention. He criticized Trump. He was dismissed. Now he has a different job and is expressing his alarm at support among evangelicals for supporting the Jan. 6th attack on the Capitol. His concern is not about secular influences overpowering those of the faith but of the faith burying itself in politics. Lots of people, he writes, poll "evangelical" but have no link to the church or its tenets. They don't attend any churches and have no intention of doing so. Instead, they think of "evangelical" as a political party.
Various symbols were carried into the Capitol. One was the southern rebel flag, the symbol of segregation. Another was the cross. A few Bibles were seen along with anti abortion signs. Trump signs everywhere. All of these groups hate. That is the current face of evangelicalism.
Moore believes these groups are contrary to the most fundamental teaching in the Bible. That, of course, is his opinion. The Bible provides lots of room for many views.
The thing Moore does not discuss adequately are those who consider themselves left behind or cast out by society. This group is heavily rural. Rural churches are closing rapidly--partly that is from smaller populations, but it is also lack of economic opportunity.
Neither party, Democrat or Republican, is doing anything about that group. The Republicans, however, have Trump. He has the skill and persona to create the impression he is their friend. Anti abortion, anti education, anti black, anti immigration, anti gay and "I was cheated in the election," that's evangelicalism today. The term applies to both Trump Catholics and Protestants.
Moore and other many other Christain conservatives do not understand the mindset of those who hate. They think, "Yeah, I can support straight marriage and be against abortion and still be solidly behind democratic elections and civil debates in Congress." The hate groups do not think this way. They want no gays anywhere, no abortions, no immigrants, no blacks and no public education. Their's is not the same country, nor the same Christianity, as Moore's.
I remember listening to another version of this when Hillary and Bernie were competing for the Presidential nomination. Bernie thought the country could be united by enthusiastic talk. Hillary knew haters were not to be moved.
Perhaps slowly, people like Moore will choose not to say evangelical Christianity is a force for good. It is becoming clear it is a force for bad.
Jon ; Russel Moore's observations are spot on. There are several other denominations who are in agreement with what has become of what is now called "evangelical" , as opposed to the original meaning of the term, (name).
ReplyDeleteJon; you are to be applauded for your comments, as long as you recognize there are denominations that adhere to the original meaning of BEING evangelical. It may be beneficial if readers would get out their handy dictionary and look up just what "evangelical" means. (The great commission) (to evangelize, to share the Good News of "Justification by Grace, (undeserved favor) through faith for Christ's sake." ) With no political involvement, works, or means/ need of payback. Freely given, and freely received.
Respectfully. Little Helper.
Thank you, Helper. It is unfortunate the word "evangelical" has become, or is almost, a word meaning a political party. Your denomination strikes a good balance between evangelizing and keeping church and state from polluting each other.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason I've been thinking of engines we used to use on the farm. These were gasoline engines used to run combines, elevators and tractors. They had, some may still, "governors" on them to prevent the rpm from going so high the engine is damaged. Politics and religion need this. If there were just some form of inner governors leaders had to say "this is pushing our faith and politics too far" we would have a better country and world.
re. "if there were just some form of inner governors..." There are. In the area of religion, They are the creeds, liturgy, and the lectionary. Literally, all the denominations that have gone amuck are non-creedal, non liturgical , and the lectionary is absent. I would be willing to bet few if any of their membership is even aware of them. And then there is the cult of personality of the leadership, a very real hazard.
DeleteJon; Thinking on this topic a little farther, it would be reasonable for you to ask what are the assurances the creeds, liturgy and lectionary are followed. Answer; It is written into the constitution of every member church, and is also in the synod constitution.
Deletelooks as if old Jon is back to his censorious self. didn't like my comments re the reality at issue, namely that clashing, fundamental and deeply held views engender political turmoil. that pious injunctions asking for political "peace" don't play well in such situations. anyway, keep on censoring Jon, you are helping to kill your own blog.
ReplyDeletetsm --"clashing, fundamental and deeply held views engender political turmoil."
ReplyDeleteI dumped your previous post for this reason: You contribute nothing to our discussions when you restate the obvious.