This from the New York Times:
"The evangelical movement, however, is clearly evolving. Members of the baby boomer generation are taking over the reins, said D. G. Hart, a historian of religion. The boomers, he said, are markedly different in style and temperament from their predecessors and much more animated by social justice and humanitarianism. Most of them are pastors, as opposed to the heads of advocacy groups, making them more reluctant to plunge into politics to avoid alienating diverse congregations....
Mr. Warren, along with Mr. Hybels, 55, and several dozen other evangelical leaders, signed a call to action last year on climate change. The initiative brought together more mainstream conservative Christian leaders with prominent liberal evangelicals, such as the Rev. Jim Wallis of Sojourners and the Rev. Ronald J. Sider of Evangelicals for Social Action, who have long championed progressive causes. Notably absent from the list of signatories were several old lions of the Christian right, some of whom were openly critical of the effort: Mr. Falwell; Mr. Robertson, 77; and Mr. Dobson, 71, founder of Focus on the Family."
Saturday, May 26, 2007
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So the new leadership have found a new cause. A cause is a cause regardless of the emphasis. When the church takes up causes (whether they are the religious right or climate change or whatever) it ends up crippling or watering down the message. Causes like this, in my view, are the fertil soil for pragmatism and syncretism. We have enough distractions for the western church, we don't need another one.
ReplyDeletegood point michael.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of things like raising awareness and funds to help with aids...can you see it being a form of letting our light shine, by "letting men see our good deeds, so that they will glorify our father in heaven"?
I agree with you about causes. If it just a cause, it is not worth it. However, if it reflects sincere commitment to doing good deeds and loving our neighbor, it might be a little more valuabe.
I will concede that a cause can have some value as long as it can be kept in the proper pespective. But, I think the church has a hard enough time maintaining its primary mission.
ReplyDeleteI think that what bothers me the most is the church's use of the same means as the culture to achieve their ends. The use of publicity, commercialism, and politics to achieve their ends is to big of a temptation for some, much, or most (you decide)of church.
And certainly if the church is going to let its light shine it has to figure out how it can be done in secrect so that it can receive its reward in heaven.