When I was growing up, theology was central to evangelicals. But today theology is pushed aside for right-wing politics and white racism as definers of what it means to be an evangelical.
Hey Jim, you are a braver man than I am. I deleted the tag "evangelical" many years ago when I became a member of the Episcopal denomination. Very important also was my research that showed that the concept of "inerrancy" was not only a wrong understanding of a biblical perspective on the Scripture and revelation but it was also historically unknown. Finally there are some basic theological concepts about being evangelical which were also inaccurate. So I have to move out of "evangelicalism" and into an ecumenical understanding of Christian faith. Rolling, Roy M Carlisle
Jim, your stance and spot on description of your Christian theology mirrors my own. I have never referred to myself as evangelical, but simply Christian. And, as you so correctly point out, our Christian teaching means we embrace people of every race and nationality and fight to uphold Jesus' vision for all people reconciled in him. Thank you for this short but very profound piece.
Pastor Wallis, I had become so disappointed with Christianity, but your words and your work has revived my faith. You are an inspiration to me, and I refer many people to your ideas and to the truth you speak. Thank you
Im a very conservative guy on the search for truth. I am Evangelical by nearly every standard, theologically for sure. I also feel like I am constantly being shanghaied into political groups I completely disagree with. Anyway good to hear from Jim. I venture over to Sojourners to read what that camp is saying, but I find they are often as angry, judgmental, and arrogant as the right-sided evangelical Christians. Thank you, Jim, for staying civil.
The sentence that stood out for me was"Jesus’ vision of the kingdom of God was deliberately meant to bring diverse and divided people together by being reconciled to Christ."
I was taught reconciled in Christ meant that I was reconciled. That sentence opened the door to how I view all my brothers and sisters. We are all to be reconciled with each other in Christ.
I have been a fan of yours for years and as usual this article is so true and so needed that I'd like to see it on the front page of every newspaper in the country.
Thanks, Jim. Well stated I miss your presence in Sojourners. I too was canceled by the Tho.as Merton Center. Like you I've had to move on. Blessings. Molly Rush.
Your upbringing mirrors mine in many ways, Jim. The evangelical church is in dire need of a reformation. I am embarrassed to call myself an evangelical so I identify as an exvangelical. I’m currently a member of a UCC church and admire the commitment it has to social and racial justice. But there’s still something missing and that is the call to repentance and sacrifice and the moral dimension of the gospel. I would love to attend a church that has a healthy balance between the two but have been unable to find one.
Hey Jim, you are a braver man than I am. I deleted the tag "evangelical" many years ago when I became a member of the Episcopal denomination. Very important also was my research that showed that the concept of "inerrancy" was not only a wrong understanding of a biblical perspective on the Scripture and revelation but it was also historically unknown. Finally there are some basic theological concepts about being evangelical which were also inaccurate. So I have to move out of "evangelicalism" and into an ecumenical understanding of Christian faith. Rolling, Roy M Carlisle
Jim, your stance and spot on description of your Christian theology mirrors my own. I have never referred to myself as evangelical, but simply Christian. And, as you so correctly point out, our Christian teaching means we embrace people of every race and nationality and fight to uphold Jesus' vision for all people reconciled in him. Thank you for this short but very profound piece.
Pastor Wallis, I had become so disappointed with Christianity, but your words and your work has revived my faith. You are an inspiration to me, and I refer many people to your ideas and to the truth you speak. Thank you
Im a very conservative guy on the search for truth. I am Evangelical by nearly every standard, theologically for sure. I also feel like I am constantly being shanghaied into political groups I completely disagree with. Anyway good to hear from Jim. I venture over to Sojourners to read what that camp is saying, but I find they are often as angry, judgmental, and arrogant as the right-sided evangelical Christians. Thank you, Jim, for staying civil.
The sentence that stood out for me was"Jesus’ vision of the kingdom of God was deliberately meant to bring diverse and divided people together by being reconciled to Christ."
I was taught reconciled in Christ meant that I was reconciled. That sentence opened the door to how I view all my brothers and sisters. We are all to be reconciled with each other in Christ.
Thank you for this eye opener!
I have been a fan of yours for years and as usual this article is so true and so needed that I'd like to see it on the front page of every newspaper in the country.
Thanks, Jim. Well stated I miss your presence in Sojourners. I too was canceled by the Tho.as Merton Center. Like you I've had to move on. Blessings. Molly Rush.
Your upbringing mirrors mine in many ways, Jim. The evangelical church is in dire need of a reformation. I am embarrassed to call myself an evangelical so I identify as an exvangelical. I’m currently a member of a UCC church and admire the commitment it has to social and racial justice. But there’s still something missing and that is the call to repentance and sacrifice and the moral dimension of the gospel. I would love to attend a church that has a healthy balance between the two but have been unable to find one.
Couldn't have said this better myself :)!! Thank you!
I'm sharing this, so I don't have to wrtie it! Thank you!!!