Pursuing the Ethic of Jesus
Evangelicals across the nation are shifting their political foci. A recent article from the New York Times talks about younger Evangelicals retreating from politically polarizing issues that have helped brand Evangelicals as ignorant and hateful. Furthermore, they are seeking to more fully embrace the issues that Jesus was strong on, but that many Evangelicals have been soft on: poverty, injustice, loving & engaging outsiders.
"They say they are tired of the culture wars. They say they do not want the test of their faith to be the fight against gay rights. They say they want to broaden the traditional evangelical anti-abortion agenda to include care for the poor, the environment, immigrants and people with H.I.V., according to experts on younger evangelicals and the young people themselves."
The article also highlights a reaction against this growing movement. The MO SBC is now reluctant to fund new church plants with more socially liberal leaning attitudes (like the one featured in the NYT article). Here's a VERY interesting quote:
"For Roger Moran, a lay Baptist leader in Missouri, being theologically conservative but culturally liberal could put evangelicals on the path to sin. To underscore that concern, the state convention will no longer finance start-ups of churches like the Journey."
This brings-up a very important question. Many pastors, including the venerable Craig Groeschel, seem to have embraced the philosophy "we'll do anything short of sin to get people saved." But does "being culturally liberal" put evangelicals on the path to sin? Please share your thoughts, this is a definitive question for Evangelicals.
Read the rest of the article!
"They say they are tired of the culture wars. They say they do not want the test of their faith to be the fight against gay rights. They say they want to broaden the traditional evangelical anti-abortion agenda to include care for the poor, the environment, immigrants and people with H.I.V., according to experts on younger evangelicals and the young people themselves."
The article also highlights a reaction against this growing movement. The MO SBC is now reluctant to fund new church plants with more socially liberal leaning attitudes (like the one featured in the NYT article). Here's a VERY interesting quote:
"For Roger Moran, a lay Baptist leader in Missouri, being theologically conservative but culturally liberal could put evangelicals on the path to sin. To underscore that concern, the state convention will no longer finance start-ups of churches like the Journey."
This brings-up a very important question. Many pastors, including the venerable Craig Groeschel, seem to have embraced the philosophy "we'll do anything short of sin to get people saved." But does "being culturally liberal" put evangelicals on the path to sin? Please share your thoughts, this is a definitive question for Evangelicals.
Read the rest of the article!
