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My Struggle with the term ‘Evangelical.’ Part 1: the false assumptions

If I were to introduce myself to you as an ‘evangelical,’ what would you ascertain about me? Would you assume I support a particular political party? Would you think I espouse to a certain set of so-called ‘traditional family values?’ Would you take that to mean that I interpret the Bible word for word literally and/or can speak in tongues? How open to foreign ideas do you imagine I am? Perhaps, you might even hypothesis that I believe in Predestination without the possibility of Free Will, the limited chosen Elect, and Calvinism. (I do Not.) Now adays you could bring into question my views on science, the separation of Church and State, evolution, DEI, women preachers, etc. (I’m in favor of all the above.)  

Furthermore, knowing that I have the honor and responsibility to preach every Sunday you might now picture me as a ‘holy roller’ arriving in a new Rolls Roysce, wearing a Rolex, and exploiting worship time to beg for a private jet… (for the record; I love my beat-up 14 year-old Nissan Altima- since the CD player still works, I don’t wear a watch, and rest assured you’ll never see my name or FUMC Farmersville printed on the side of a jet! Also please know that I am incredibly grateful to be able to live in a parsonage and support myself full-time in ministry.)

My point being: yes, I love Jesus, yes, I would love to tell you my faith story, yes, I strongly believe God should be central to your life…so does that mean I should call myself an evangelical? I’m honestly not sure. Has the implicit meaning of an ‘evangelical’ changed so drastically that any who do not fit the now implied baggage should abandon the term? Is the term evangelical so tarnished that we should no longer lay claim to it? Can we reclaim it or redefine it? Is a new term needed? This is my struggle in discernment; these are the ponderings I want to unpack a bit with you in this subseries of blog posts.

To quote one of the greatest movies ever made, The Princess Bride, “I do not think that means what you think it means.” The term ‘Evangelical’ has become laden with harmful condonations. To the extent that to an alarming amount of people, evangelical is now synonymous with hypocrite, charlatan, judgmental, greedy, … and pretty much every opposite of the fruit of the Spirit. Even more deadly unfortunate is that to a growing number of folks outside the Church, these descriptors also apply to the general term ‘Christian.’ Related is the reaction I get at gatherings when I answer the question, “So what do you do?”

All the time, I’m reminded how sinful human beings can exploit and weaponize the Bible. Appallingly, it seems that lately in America when scripture is being weaponized it is done so by someone claiming to be an ‘evangelical Christian.’  To hear some in power speak of ‘Christianity’ makes me seriously wonder if we are attempting to sever ligaments off the Universal Body of Christ and revert to a tribal religion. When elected or appointed leaders invoke the Holy Name of God, Creator of the Universe, the Alpha and Omega in a manner to somehow imply that God is only of and for the United States of America, I get incredibly confused, offended, and ashamed!

Confused, because I believe Jesus died and was raised for all people the world over. Offended, because to me it is blasphemy to say that God shows partiality for one group of people over another, especially based on man-made geographical borders. For just two of numerous examples, see the infamous accounts of Pentecost (Acts 2) and Peter baptizing Cornelius’ household (Acts 10). Ashamed, because I know I can be lumped into an outsider’s view of those who misuse scripture. More so ashamed because it sure seems like lots of those who call themselves Christian only do so to elevate their own self over and above others, which is completely contrary to the way of Christ as Lord.   

Of course, American Patriotism and Christianity can go hand-in-hand but God deserves to be first and foremost! One’s patriotism should not be more important than one’s belief in Christ opening the path of salvation to people of every nation, race, and category. Personally, I believe we should salute Ol’ Glory and recite the Lord’s Prayer. We can also support our brave service women and men in the armed forces and pray for the day when war is no more. A true sign of patriotism would be the day when no veterans sleep in the streets or suffer silently with trauma-inflicted conditions. Our love of neighbor needs to catch up to the sacrifices some make for the common good of all.

Speaking of ‘all’ in last Sunday’s sermon “Salvation for All” I briefly discussed the key concepts in a new book that does an outstanding job of explaining our evangelical theological heritage: The Four Alls: A Fresh Look at a Methodist Heritage. Author and UMC Pastor Michael Carpenter explains how, “All must be saved, all can be saved, all can know they are saved, all can be saved to the uttermost.” Using this understanding of what it means to be a Methodist is enlightening in this day and age. Let me know if you’d like a copy of this profound book.

In next week’s Part 2 we will examine some of the original meanings of the concept of ‘evangelical.’ Until then, whether or not you call yourself an evangelical, I pray that “the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-15. I hope that you and I can both do our very uttermost in becoming “children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world.” Philippians 2:15. Especailly for those of you who accept the label 'evangelical' I have faith that you indeed do 'shine like stars' by living as authentic illustrations of the love of Jesus the Christ.