Thoughts on God and Politics
In 1976 the cover story of Newsweek magazine reported that over 50 million Americans claimed to be born again. Noting Evangelicalism's rising influence, they declared that year to be the "Year of the Evangelical". Before 1976, Evangelicalism rise was rapid with several major milestones attesting to its expansion. These include the founding of the National Association of Evangelicalism (1942), Fuller Theological Seminary (1947), Christianity Today (1956), and the World Congress on Evangelicalism in Berlin (1966). After 1979 Evangelicalism began to splinter, but it still remained a growing influence. The Moral Majority, founded in 1979, generally represented the more fundamentalist wing of American Christianity. This movement, led by Jerry Falwell, pulled much of Fundamentalism out of its social isolationism. Though it identified itself as separate from Evangelicalism, the nuances of difference were lost on onlookers from the larger American culture and the two movement generally were seen as one. Other important movements, such as the launching of Dobson's family-values crusade and the beginning of the mega-church error (I mean, 'era') via Willow Creek, helped shape the landscape of American culture. Even seemingly 'in-house' matters, like the dominance of the New International Version and the cross-over of Christian contemporary music into the mainstream music industry, proved to be highly influential on the larger culture.
Jimmy Carter's platform was overtly Christian in tone, though Ronald Reagan was perhaps the most successful candidate (even now) at securing the voting block provided by Evangelicals. He themes that we are "one nation under God" and references to a "great spiritual awakening in America" firmly secured Reagan of their continued support. It was no accident that Reagan delivered his "evil empire" speech (perhaps the greatest speech of his political career) in 1983 to the National Association of Evangelicals.
Since the time of Reagan, politicians have pandered to the Evangelical community--in some cases feigning enthusiasm quite well, though in most cases feigning it poorly. Savvy politicians on both sides of the isle have learned to have a half-dozen or so Bible verses ready for use at a moments notice (for example, read this article regarding the Democratic candidate's favorite Bible verses). In this year's election, even outspoken secular humanists (such as Sen. Clinton) feel it necessary to "act evangelical" every now and again. At the beginning of the election cycle, many wondered if the Evangelical community had been snubbed. Of course, this snubbing (though not overtly) had already occurred in the Democratic Party. Evangelicals are partly to blame for this, as we (rightly or wrongly) were perceived as having aligned ourselves entirely with the Republican Party. The real news of this election cycle was the snubbing Evangelicals received from the Republican Party. At the onset of the cycle, there was not one single major candidate who seemed to align himself with the Evangelical movement. The top-tier candidates either openly opposed the Evangelical stance on moral issues, or had a questionable record on those issues.
Then came Mike Huckabee.
Now, I am not fully convinced Mike Huckabee should be our next president, though I will admit I am watching his campaign with growing fascination. Gov. Huckabee has injected something into the "Race to the White House" that is fascinating, and frankly, much-needed. To put it simply, Huckabee joined the race and he brought God with him. Although snubbed by Evangelical leaders, the rank-and-file Evangelicals flocked to him. The Republican establishment still have aligned themselves against him, yet he seems to be picking up momentum despite their resistance. Whether or not Huckabee wins the nomination isn't the issue. The issue is what he has done to the debate. Now, everyone is an Evangelical (or, hurting very badly because they are not). Romney has embraced evangelical language to describe his decisively non-evangelical Mormonism. Hillary and Obama have begun memorizing and quoting Bible verses. And Huckabee, as from the very beginning, continues to be unashamed of God.
Our country is on the edge of something. One the one side is the recognition that if God belongs anywhere, he belongs in politics. On the other side is a growing perception that faith has nothing to do with the public sector. Even well-respected Christian Evangelical thinkers and leaders have begun to spout this secular-humanistic mantra (such as Wayne Grudem, though see the context of his statements here). This side believes religion is a purely private matter that should have no influence on public life [see Note 1]. The danger isn't that this belief exists in the secular quarters of this culture, but that it exists within the most influential quarters of Evangelicalism. Have we replaced the Fundamentalist ghetto with the Evangelical ghetto? Fundamentalism retreated from the world completely. Evangelicalism engages the world, but is now increasingly leaving their spirituality at the door when they do it. Fundamentalist separated the entire man. Evangelicals are beginning to separate man's spirit. Fundamentalists were ashamed of the world. Have Evangelicals become ashamed of God?
Note 1: This would not be Wayne Grudem's position. I listed him as an example because of some comments he made in regard to Evangelical's using faith as a litmus test for candidates. From my understanding, Grudem champions Christian involvement in the larger culture. I would, however, argue that Grudem was inconsistent his overall position in regard to his endorsement to Romney and his subsequent comments on that issue.
Jimmy Carter's platform was overtly Christian in tone, though Ronald Reagan was perhaps the most successful candidate (even now) at securing the voting block provided by Evangelicals. He themes that we are "one nation under God" and references to a "great spiritual awakening in America" firmly secured Reagan of their continued support. It was no accident that Reagan delivered his "evil empire" speech (perhaps the greatest speech of his political career) in 1983 to the National Association of Evangelicals.
Since the time of Reagan, politicians have pandered to the Evangelical community--in some cases feigning enthusiasm quite well, though in most cases feigning it poorly. Savvy politicians on both sides of the isle have learned to have a half-dozen or so Bible verses ready for use at a moments notice (for example, read this article regarding the Democratic candidate's favorite Bible verses). In this year's election, even outspoken secular humanists (such as Sen. Clinton) feel it necessary to "act evangelical" every now and again. At the beginning of the election cycle, many wondered if the Evangelical community had been snubbed. Of course, this snubbing (though not overtly) had already occurred in the Democratic Party. Evangelicals are partly to blame for this, as we (rightly or wrongly) were perceived as having aligned ourselves entirely with the Republican Party. The real news of this election cycle was the snubbing Evangelicals received from the Republican Party. At the onset of the cycle, there was not one single major candidate who seemed to align himself with the Evangelical movement. The top-tier candidates either openly opposed the Evangelical stance on moral issues, or had a questionable record on those issues.
Then came Mike Huckabee.
Now, I am not fully convinced Mike Huckabee should be our next president, though I will admit I am watching his campaign with growing fascination. Gov. Huckabee has injected something into the "Race to the White House" that is fascinating, and frankly, much-needed. To put it simply, Huckabee joined the race and he brought God with him. Although snubbed by Evangelical leaders, the rank-and-file Evangelicals flocked to him. The Republican establishment still have aligned themselves against him, yet he seems to be picking up momentum despite their resistance. Whether or not Huckabee wins the nomination isn't the issue. The issue is what he has done to the debate. Now, everyone is an Evangelical (or, hurting very badly because they are not). Romney has embraced evangelical language to describe his decisively non-evangelical Mormonism. Hillary and Obama have begun memorizing and quoting Bible verses. And Huckabee, as from the very beginning, continues to be unashamed of God.
Our country is on the edge of something. One the one side is the recognition that if God belongs anywhere, he belongs in politics. On the other side is a growing perception that faith has nothing to do with the public sector. Even well-respected Christian Evangelical thinkers and leaders have begun to spout this secular-humanistic mantra (such as Wayne Grudem, though see the context of his statements here). This side believes religion is a purely private matter that should have no influence on public life [see Note 1]. The danger isn't that this belief exists in the secular quarters of this culture, but that it exists within the most influential quarters of Evangelicalism. Have we replaced the Fundamentalist ghetto with the Evangelical ghetto? Fundamentalism retreated from the world completely. Evangelicalism engages the world, but is now increasingly leaving their spirituality at the door when they do it. Fundamentalist separated the entire man. Evangelicals are beginning to separate man's spirit. Fundamentalists were ashamed of the world. Have Evangelicals become ashamed of God?
Note 1: This would not be Wayne Grudem's position. I listed him as an example because of some comments he made in regard to Evangelical's using faith as a litmus test for candidates. From my understanding, Grudem champions Christian involvement in the larger culture. I would, however, argue that Grudem was inconsistent his overall position in regard to his endorsement to Romney and his subsequent comments on that issue.
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