Dear Thoughtful Pastor: I grew up in an “evangelical—fundamental” Christian home. My recollection is that this meant a high regard for scripture and belief in the basic tenets of the Christian faith. During this political cycle, the term “evangelical” is very repulsive to me and unbiblical, particularly with its apparent disdain for “the least of these brothers of mine.” If I ever had any doubts before whether or not I was an evangelical, I certainly know now that I am not.
What are the official attributes of an Evangelical Christian these days? Is the term “Mainline” used mainly to be differentiated from “Evangelical”? In other words the opposite of “Evangelical”?
Let’s start with the basics. According to the National Associate of Evangelicals, these are the core principles of evangelicalism:
- Conversionism: lives need to be transformed through a “born-again” experience.
- Activism: gospel expression in missionary and social reform efforts.
- Biblicism: a high regard for and obedience to the Bible as the ultimate authority.
- Crucicentrism: a stress on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as making possible the redemption of humanity.
It’s more difficult to find a consensus description of mainline Christianity, but here’s a general outline.
- Salvation: both personal and corporate, and lived out in the communities of law, politics, business, science and education.
- Justice issues, particularly for the oppressed and marginalized, take center stage.
- A respect for the Bible as core to their faith but limited by human authorship and interpreted through historical and cultural critiques.
- Christ is central to Christian understanding, but God remains free to exercise all options in the redemption of humanity and creation.
Not so much opposites as two positions on a religious continuum.
Now, let’s look at issues facing both Mainlines and Evangelicals.
Mainline denominations, United Methodist, Presbyterian (USA), Episcopal, Lutheran (ELCA), American Baptist and United Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, Quakers and Reformed Church of America, see dramatic numerical declines. While generally respected, their long-term futures as institutions are in doubt.
As for evangelicals, well . . . according to much popular religious analysis, Evangelical now means obsessed with sex, arrogant, bigoted. indifferent to truth, greedy, ignorant, predatory and mean.
This extraordinarily negative view of Evangelicalism comes primarily from one of their core values: obedience to the Bible as ultimate authority. Anyone can readily lift verses out of the Bible and declare, among other things, that white races should be the master of those with darker skin; that women should not speak or have leadership roles in religious settings or control their own sexuality; that non-heterosexual people should be put to death, or if not actually executed, soundly condemned for all eternity.
BUT . . . many self-described Evangelicals are anything but predatory. Generosity pervades the evangelical world, as well as good scholarship and much courage to speak truth boldly. As for mainline denominations fading . . . sure, their structures are problematic, but the strong social influence of liberal Christianity continues to be impactful on nearly every level of life.
In my opinion, however, both sides are suffering the aftermath of having made deals with the devil.
Evangelicalism made their deal in the 80’s when the leaders decided to meld religious beliefs with political aspirations.They planned to bring a renewed sense of morality and Christian beliefs to a nation, always been uniquely religious but which showing greater signs becoming too secularized. The aftermath, however, is the rise of neo-nazism, the “make America white again” mentality, rising racism and sexism that now stains the movement.
Mainline denominational deals came earlier. During their period of ascendency and growth in the 50’s and 60’s, they, too, chose political influence and neglected the roots that had at one point formed vital churches.
Mainline religious leaders assumed that they’d always be in power. They did not give adequate attention to moving people from a comfortable, “Oh yes, I attend such and such a church–such a marvelous place to make friends and social contacts” to “I have encountered the Living and Holy God. M life will never be the same again” experience.
Right now, the negative press about Evangelicalism moves toward the tipping point as more people associate that religious movement with hatred, bigotry and hypocritical self-righteousness. That tipping point simply came earlier and more quietly for the mainlines.
Both ends of the spectrum will eventually collapse under the weight of their own arrogance and inadequate attention to their core health. Every organization, every institution including religion, stays in constant flux and re-invention.
What doesn’t disappear is the search for transcendence, the longing for something more, the unspoken awareness that there is more to life than the physical. New church forms will arise from the ashes of today. We need to find places and participate in the rebuilding process.
Even so, there will always be a new way to make a deal with the devil. Let us be on the alert.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In