NB: This is my fourth post in my series on my personal journey of deconstruction/reconstruction. Here is the link to my three previous posts
In my earlier posts I noted that my journey of deconstruction/reconstruction was predicated on two primary issues: 1) the church (I speak primarily of the evangelical tradition which I have been a part of) has lost sight of the Gospel and the kingdom and has replaced it with a me-centric version; 2) the church has been abusive.
Much more could be said about both of these. Unfortunately, they are not the only factors that have contributed to my journey of deconstruction.
My early years in the church were heavily influenced by end-times sensationalism. We were assured that the end was in sight.
After all, Israel was established in 1948. Therefore, we were assured that the Second Coming would be within a generation (40 years). Not only that, but there was the proliferation of the evil empire (Reagan) and its impending attack on Israel.
In my book Understanding the New Testament and the End Times, I have written about my disillusionment with end times theologies.
The fact that I was raised in such a tradition isn’t that problematic for me.
Throughout my education, I learned to embrace a Christ-centered approach to the end times. I recognize now that the end times have begun in Christ; they continue in the life of God’s people, and they will reach a climax in the coming of the New Jerusalem. I now see that the missional call of God’s people (us) is critical to Christ’s work and the end times.
I am good with all this.
However, I have been troubled by the deep resistance within evangelicalism to other ways of thinking that many continue to embrace. Okay, in one sense, I understand.
However, it is highly problematic when they embrace their ideology with such dogma and fervor that they are unwilling to consider the possibility that they might be wrong.
When some dispensationalists continue to demonstrate neglect for the creation despite the overwhelming evidence that human over-consumption (which is contrary to the Gospel, but that is for another day) significantly contributes to the increase in global temperatures and the rise of super storms, the devastating effects on agriculture and food security, the catastrophic effects of rising sea levels, the destruction of habitats, and the concomitant loss of more and more species.
How can Christians, whose Bible narrates an account in which humanity was created in part to care for creation (Gen 2:15), ignore and even contribute to the destruction of creation? And how can they do so when the devastation of the creation corresponds directly with the abusive behavior (e.g., the burning of fossil fuels) and corporate greed that perpetuates increases in the global temperature?
Evangelicals, War, and Israel
I am even more flabbergasted by the evangelical proclivity to support war.
NB: In my newest book, Land of Contention, I address the church’s call to be advocates of peace.
Too many Americans, let alone evangelicals, have been duped by the American media, which has proven to be an arm of the American war machine. Weapons manufacturers profiting by the billions are the primary beneficiaries of war. One million dead Ukrainian soldiers, their families, friends, and the rest of the nation of Ukraine, minus a few greedy oligarchs, are the losers.
Even more egregious is the evangelical support for Israel’s continued onslaught on Gaza. As I write this, 2 million of the 2.2 million inhabitants of Gaza are facing extreme food insecurity and are on the precipice of famine.
How is this okay?
Why are we not grieving over this?
Why are we not crying out?
Why are we not calling our representatives?
Why are most of our churches not holding prayer vigils?
Not only are most evangelicals not outraged by the criminal and inhumane (I can think of no other way to say it) treatment of the Palestinians, but many are finding ways to justify it.
If only they would listen to themselves and recognize the un-Christian speech they are uttering.
It matters not at this point if one supports Israel’s right to defend itself. It matters not if the Jews remain God’s chosen people (in fact, it might even matter more so). It matters not if Israel’s return to the land is a fulfillment of prophecy and a sign of the imminent return of Christ.
No one should be allowed to starve 2 million people.
And here we are in the most powerful country in the history of the world, and we are not only not doing anything about it, we are continuing to fund it. And—this is where my crisis with the American church is—how many evangelical churches even said a word about the starvation of Gaza as they gathered this past Sunday?
Why have I become disillusioned with evangelicalism? Do I need to say any more?
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