An Evangelical Manifesto:

[ChristopherHall]

Interesting news story:

AP Newsbreak: Evangelicals say faith is now too political
By RACHEL ZOLL AND ERIC GORSKI – 6 days ago
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g...j5RtQD90DRNHO0

Conservative Christian leaders who believe the word "evangelical" has lost its religious meaning plan to release a starkly self-critical document saying the movement has become too political and has diminished the Gospel through its approach to the culture wars.

The statement, called "An Evangelical Manifesto," condemns Christians on the right and left for "using faith" to express political views without regard to the truth of the Bible, according to a draft of the document obtained Friday by The Associated Press.

"That way faith loses its independence, Christians become `useful idiots' for one political party or another, and the Christian faith becomes an ideology," according to the draft.

The declaration, scheduled to be released Wednesday in Washington, encourages Christians to be politically engaged and uphold teachings such as traditional marriage. But the drafters say evangelicals have often expressed "truth without love," helping create a backlash against religion during a "generation of culture warring."

"All too often we have attacked the evils and injustices of others," they wrote, "while we have condoned our own sins." They argue, "we must reform our own behavior."

The document is the latest chapter in the debate among conservative Christians about their role in public life. Most veteran leaders believe the focus should remain on abortion and marriage, while other evangelicals — especially in the younger generation — are pushing for a broader agenda. The manifesto sides with those seeking a wide-range of concerns beyond "single-issue politics."

Among the signers of the manifesto are Os Guiness, a well-known evangelical author and speaker, and Richard Mouw, president of Fuller Theological Seminary, a leading evangelical school in Pasadena, Calif. Organizers declined to comment until the final document is released.

They say more than 80 evangelicals have signed the statement, although only a few names have been released. A. Larry Ross, spokesman for the authors, said the theologicans and Christian leaders involved are seeking to "go back to the root theological meaning of the term evangelical."

Some champions of traditional culture war issues are not among the supporters.

Richard Land, head of the public policy arm for the Southern Baptist Convention, said through a spokeswoman that he has not seen the document and was not asked to sign it.

James Dobson, the influential founder of Focus on the Family, a Christian group in Colorado Springs, Colo., did not sign the document, said Gary Schneeberger, a Dobson spokesman. Schneeberger would not say whether Dobson had read the manifesto or had been asked to sign on.

Phil Burress, an Ohio activist who networks with national evangelical leaders, said that if high-profile evangelical leaders such as Dobson and Land don't support the document, "it's like throwing a pebble in the ocean" and will carry no weight.

But the drafters hope they can start a movement among evangelicals to reflect and act on the document. "We must find a new understanding of our place in public life," the drafters wrote.

Here's a link to the Evangelical Manifesto:

http://www.anevangelicalmanifesto.com/index.php

Will this broaden the footprint of Evangelical involvement in politics by re-defining our social agenda beyond wedge issues?

What are some of your thoughts?

[Encryptus]

Evangelical Manifesto Erroneously Lists Prominent Evangelical Leaders as Signatories


http://lc.org/index.cfm?PID=14102&AlertID=835


Following the release of the so-called "Evangelical Manifesto" during a press conference at the National Press Club, Dr. Ergun Caner, President of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and Graduate School, was shocked to learn that his name was listed as one of the "Charter Signatories."

Dr. Caner has publicly repudiated the document's anti-activism position. The Seminary is part of Liberty University, the largest and fastest growing evangelical university in the world, with more than 37,000 students. Liberty University was founded by the late Dr. Jerry Falwell in 1971.

"There is only one problem," Dr. Caner stated, "I never signed it.” Dr. Caner explained in a statement posted on the Liberty University web site. You can read his entire statement at: http://www.liberty.edu/academics/rel...419&NewsID=227.




The Evangelical Manifesto web site also erroneously lists Dr. Jerry Falwell as a signatory. Jerry Falwell, Jr., the Chancellor of Liberty University, responded to the error: "As the founder of the Moral Majority, dad would not endorse a document that appears to undercut political activism. My dad was a man of courage who paved the way for a generation of socially conservative activists. He never backed away from his resolve to please God. He was a tireless defender of the sanctity of human life and family values."

While some might shy away from the public square, most evangelicals do not. Life and marriage are nonnegotiable. While our discourse must be civil and our compassion must be genuine, our resolve must never waiver.

[OP_Carl]

A red herring attempt to bust up a voting bloc?

[ChristopherHall]

Originally Posted by Encryptus

[B]Evangelical

While some might shy away from the public square, most evangelicals do not. Life and marriage are nonnegotiable. While our discourse must be civil and our compassion must be genuine, our resolve must never waiver.

Good info bro.

I agree that life and marriage are nonnegotiable. However I think other issues are rising to importance and we are ignoring them. Issues like poverty and global warming are becoming a big concern for many. The way we define our faith in a social context can hinder or help the gospel. I know people who are not political conservatives who are affraid of coming to church because they think it's all about abortion, gay marriage, and being a good Republican. While this could break up a voting block as said above....it may also open the field and attract people who have other concerns as well.

Sadly the Republicans have a lousy track record when it comes to abortion and gay marriage. They talk the talk, pass bills to help their billonaire buddies, and then fail to walk the walk.

[OP_Carl]

Originally Posted by ChristopherHall

Good info bro.

I agree that life and marriage are nonnegotiable. However I think other issues are rising to importance and we are ignoring them. Issues like poverty and global warming are becoming a big concern for many. The way we define our faith in a social context can hinder or help the gospel. I know people who are not political conservatives who are affraid of coming to church because they think it's all about abortion, gay marriage, and being a good Republican.

People generally are afraid of coming to church because there is something in their life they are unwilling to sacrifice. They can come up with a cool million excuses to tell others, though, like this one, above.

While this could break up a voting block as said above....it may also open the field and attract people who have other concerns as well.

There should be only one attractant to the evangelical church: Christ's sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins. JMHO.

Sadly the Republicans have a lousy track record when it comes to abortion and gay marriage. They talk the talk, pass bills to help their billonaire buddies, and then fail to walk the walk.

TRUE, DAT!