For much of the last century, America’s evangelicals have been the whipping boy of progressives and intellectuals of all sorts. Ostensibly, they use government to impose their interpretation of Scripture on the body politic and – paradoxical to this heavy use of the state – champion neo-liberal economics and Tea Party style small government.
This was never quite the story, and is even less so since 2005, when America’s religio-political landscape has been undergoing what evangelical theologian Scot McKnight called “the biggest change in the evangelical movement at the end of the twentieth century, a new kind of Christian social conscience.”
“New evangelicals” (as Richard Cizik, President of The New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good, calls them) have shifted away from the religious right – moving towards an anti-militarist, anti-consumerist focus on poverty relief, environmental protection, immigration reform, and racial/religious reconciliation.
RE: “”New evangelicals” (as Richard Cizik, President of The New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good, calls them) have shifted away from the religious right – moving towards an anti-militarist, anti-consumerist focus on poverty relief, environmental protection, immigration reform, and racial/religious reconciliation.”
Actually these are merely political liberals who are now taking the name “evangelical” as their own label. That’s fine, of course — anyone may claim any label they please. But I don’t think any actual evangelicals are fooled by that either.
Signed,
The Blonde Buddhist
You’ve got that right, Sarah.
My dictionary still defines “evangelical” as “1. of or in keeping with the Gospels. 2. of or belonging to the Christian churches that emphasize teh authority of the Scriptures. 3. Marked by fervor or zeal.” Unfortunately, it is the third meaning that has been latched onto by all comers who wish to promote their own cause. I suppose that is technically acceptable…but I think it confuses a lot of people, especiall those who always think in terms of definitions 1 & 2.
I find that, more now than ever before, I have work hard at sorting out the definition of terms used in the public press or on the street.