In 2003, I along with several Quaker ministers banded together for the purpose of promoting Evangelical Christianity throughout the Society of Friends. As a group we believed the purpose of the Church is to establish the authority of the Scriptures as interpreted by the Holy Spirit: to guard against the tendency of creating a popular gospel, rather than the Gospel which is personal, exposes sin, and offers eternal life only through Jesus Christ; and to provide direction, guidelines and encourage the believer.
I am unaware what the others are doing in the role of defending the cause of Jesus Christ and promoting the authority of the Scriptures. I am sure many are aware of a gospel that is popular within the church without the power to change lives. Even among evangelical there is the tendency to be politically correct. Often, it is easier to isolate one’s self than to become engaged in the community in which one lives. Over the years Christianity has suffered from the politically correct mindset. As Christians we have failed in our endeavor to bring a life changing gospel to the world. We have lost the zeal of the Lord.
Could it be that we have lost the zeal of the Lord because we have lost our identity? The identity of the evangelical Christian has been often confused with being a “conservative Christian”. The media has blurred the terms conservative, fundamental and evangelical to the point that everyone is lumped into one general definition. To be a conservative Christian means to be part of the Religious Right. This creates a problem for me.
First, there are those in the Religious Right that no doubt are there only for the financial gain and the power of position. This bothers me because they are not concerned about the authority of the Scriptures, nor are they guarding against the tendency of creating a popular political gospel. More often than not, it is these greedy power hungry charlatans that have brought shame to the cause of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul had the same problem with those who wanted to be associated with Christ but had their own agenda. “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake for God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”2Cor.4:1-6
Next, there are popular religious leaders who are associated with the Religious Right that set an agenda for “Conservative Christians” that I totally disagree with. The main message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was not abortion, homosexuality, a balanced budget, and marriage, protection of Israel from invasion and health and prosperity along with all the other side issues. It is true that these are important issues but they are not the central message of the Gospel. We have allowed individuals with personal agendas to dictate the direction of the Church which is not the direction established by Jesus Christ.
There religious leaders today that are like the old prophet in the book Kings (IKings 13:18) that want to be included in those called evangelical. “I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the LORD: Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.” (But he was lying). Jeremiah was confronted with the same problem, (Jer. 23:16) This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. Not only have we accepted these false religious leaders as the messengers of God we have also include the “Conservative Talk Show Host” as messengers of Truth.
When it comes to my doctrinal beliefs I do not want Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, or Shawn Hannity or any other conservative media personality establishing what I believe. Politically they may have elements of truth but they are not always correct. Like many leaders within what is considered conservative evangelical circles they have their own agendas. The great hunger in the world today is to have a deeper spiritual life and to resolve the injustice in the world. The sad fact is that there are very few who are working on this agenda.
As an Orthodox Evangelical Quaker I am concerned that the lines of politics and religion have become so blurred that if your politics are on the Right you are a Christian, if they are on the Left you are anti-Christian. Both Left and Right in the political spectrum have elements of Christian values. We should not allow the Left and Right of politics to determine our responsibility to the message of Jesus Christ. The social message that is often attributed to the politics of liberal theology today such as antislavery, women's rights, child labor, prison reform and reducing poverty was at one time considered the politics of the conservative Christian. The Church has divided its Gospel message into a political message determined by issues that garner the most in public approval.
The message of the Gospel should not divide the Church over which issue has the most importance in the world of politics but are we proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ which is personal, exposes sin, and offers eternal life only through Jesus Christ and gives direction, guidelines and encouragement for the believer?
As Christians were are more than Conservative, Fundamental or Evangelical, we are followers of Jesus Christ preaching the message of the cross. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. I Cor.1:18
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