Pollsters and the media use the words "Evangelical Christian" to describe voters who support a candidate whose words and ideology are inconsistent with the Christian faith. To anyone who has even the most basic understanding of Christianity, this contradiction is puzzling. As a person whose faith is centered on the teachings of Jesus Christ, I find it disturbing. How can anyone who claims to believe in Christ follow a man who consistently disparages and demeans other people?
Redefining Evangelical Christian
The word "Christian" was first used to describe the disciples of Jesus in ancient Antioch, around 70 A.D. The word evangelical comes from the Greek word euangelion, "good news." Historically, the word "evangelical" was used to describe people who believe in the authority of the Bible, salvation through Jesus Christ, and the importance of spreading the gospel or good news of Jesus Christ.
In 7 types of evangelicals -- and how they'll affect the presidential race, CNN Religion Editor, Daniel Burke writes, "Evangelicals are the country's biggest and most powerful religious voting bloc." He points out that this bloc of voters is diverse, disagreeing on basic principles such as how actively Christians should be involved in politics. "With the help of experts," the article identified seven types of evangelicals - the old guard ("aging veterans of the culture wars"), institutional evangelicals (leaders of mega-churches and other religious institutions), entrepreneurial evangelicals (TV evangelists and the like), 'arm's length' evangelicals, millennial evangelicals, liberal evangelicals, and cultural evangelicals.
What this article proves to me is that the words "evangelical" and "Christian" have lost their meaning in our politically divided culture. Many people self-identify as "evangelicals" or "born again Christians" because they "were raised Christian but don't go to church or consider religion that important in their lives."
Others call themselves evangelicals but don't walk the walk and talk the talk. And all too often, people who use the Christian religion for political or entrepreneurial purposes lose sight of the tenets of the Christian faith in their quest for power and money.
Once in awhile, I have to remind myself that some things never change. In the preface to Mere Christianity (copyright 1952), C.S. Lewis wrote that some people objected to his "use of the word Christian to mean one who accepts the common doctrines of Christianity. People ask 'Who are you, to lay down who is, and who is not a Christian?' or 'May not many a man who cannot believe these doctrines be far more truly a Christian, far closer to the spirit of Christ, than some who do?'"
Lewis went on to discuss how the word "gentleman" lost its meaning. Originally, if you called someone a gentleman, you were stating factual information about him - that he was a landowner with a coat of arms. Over time, the word gentleman came to mean something entirely different; it became a way of praising a man's behavior. It stopped being a useful, differentiating kind of word. You might as well call a man a "good" man as a gentleman.
In the same way, if I try too hard to refine the word "Christian" to mean someone who is "close to the spirit of Christ," I risk making it a useless word. I am not qualified to judge someone else's relationship with God. I cannot see into the hearts of men; only God can.
As C.S. Lewis reminds me, non-believers often ask the question: If Christianity is true, why aren't all Christians nicer and more moral people than all non-Christians? After all, religion is worthless unless it changes a person for the better. Lewis made the point that people are not 100% Christian or 100% non-Christian. There are many "Christians" who are "slowly ceasing to be Christians but who still call themselves by that name." Other people "are slowly becoming Christians though they do not yet call themselves so." Many people are attracted to Christ's teachings and don't even know it.
I concede that it is pointless to make judgments about Christians and non-Christians as a whole. Nevertheless, I have to admit that because the "evangelical Christian" label means nothing today, I find myself wanting to call myself something different - a believer, a wholehearted disciple of Jesus Christ, a Red Letter Christian. I don't own the word Christian; I belong to Jesus Christ. And it is because my name is Child of the One True King that I want the world to know who Jesus really is.
Two Disparate "Gospels"
In Rachel Held Evans' post about a Tale of Two Gospels, she contrasted the "gospel" of the unrighteous man who is courting Christian voters with the gospel of Jesus Christ. As she points out, the people that this man and the "Religious Right" view as "acceptable collateral damage in their quest for power--the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized, the hated minorities--are the very people Jesus prioritized."
So how do any Christians justify ignoring the gospel of Jesus to support the spiritual incorrectness of a demagogue? I can think of two reasons. One, Christians are vulnerable to being influenced by un-Christian messages if they do not guard their hearts. A person who repeatedly listens to those who say that Americans should resent immigrants for taking our jobs, resent the poor because they're too lazy to work, etc., becomes desensitized and stops hearing the compassionate message of Jesus Christ.
Two, many Christians fear the loss of traditional values and changes in the social order that are occurring on our country. They are so fearful and hungry for a sense of control that they are willing to trust a strongman, even one of low moral repute, if he promises to protect their religious freedom and restore the status quo. In The rise of American authoritarianism, Amanda Taub explains the research into the psychological trait known as authoritarianism.
Those who remain in Jesus follow him because they know his voice. He is The Good Shepherd and his sheep will not follow a thief and a robber. In fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice.
Discerning versus Judging
I have said that the man who says he'll make America great again is not a Christian. If I thought he were truly a Christian, I would have to say that I do not want to be one. But I do want to be a Christ follower because I know and love Jesus and have witnessed his power to save and transform the lives of those who trust in him.
Many will say that I am being judgmental. I am just calling it like I see it. When such forthrightness comes from a man whose tongue is an untamed serpent, many people admire his rejection of "political correctness." But when a religious person points out the wrongness of his behavior, his supporters are quick to shoot the messenger. I know this is true because I saw the angry, judgmental responses when a Christian author and pastor wrote a blog post critical of the man whose name I refuse to utter in my own post.
In Decency for President, Max Lucado wrote that he hopes and prays for a return to verbal decency. Lucado spoke out about the rudest of presidential candidates because he has been "chagrined by his antics." The insensitivity of the self-adoring man would not be acceptable for children, much less for the leader of our country. But when a man behaves indecently and with a complete lack of sensitivity "while brandishing a Bible and boasting of his Christian faith," it is enough to make even those who normally stay out of political discussions stand up and say this is wrong.
Jesus said that we are not to judge others or we will be judged by the same measure. We are not to be hypocrites, tearing others down to build ourselves up. As I write about the wrongness of a political candidate's words of bigotry and hatefulness, I do so confessing that I am not above reproach. The words of my mouth and meditations of my heart are often not pleasing to my Lord.
But there is a difference between judging in the sense of holding yourself out to be morally superior to someone else and judging in the sense of discernment - being able to tell the difference between right and wrong, between truth and lies. Jesus warned his followers to watch out for "false prophets" who claim to be religious but are motivated by money, fame, or power. Jesus taught us to judge the results of being his follower: a good tree bears good fruit. Those of us who belong to Jesus Christ are to live by the Spirit. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23).
Christ also said that our words reveal what is in our hearts. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. (Matthew 12:34-36)
The apostle John wrote beautifully about how to tell whether a person really walks in the light of Jesus.
Praying, Praying, PrayingRedefining Evangelical Christian
The word "Christian" was first used to describe the disciples of Jesus in ancient Antioch, around 70 A.D. The word evangelical comes from the Greek word euangelion, "good news." Historically, the word "evangelical" was used to describe people who believe in the authority of the Bible, salvation through Jesus Christ, and the importance of spreading the gospel or good news of Jesus Christ.
In 7 types of evangelicals -- and how they'll affect the presidential race, CNN Religion Editor, Daniel Burke writes, "Evangelicals are the country's biggest and most powerful religious voting bloc." He points out that this bloc of voters is diverse, disagreeing on basic principles such as how actively Christians should be involved in politics. "With the help of experts," the article identified seven types of evangelicals - the old guard ("aging veterans of the culture wars"), institutional evangelicals (leaders of mega-churches and other religious institutions), entrepreneurial evangelicals (TV evangelists and the like), 'arm's length' evangelicals, millennial evangelicals, liberal evangelicals, and cultural evangelicals.
What this article proves to me is that the words "evangelical" and "Christian" have lost their meaning in our politically divided culture. Many people self-identify as "evangelicals" or "born again Christians" because they "were raised Christian but don't go to church or consider religion that important in their lives."
Others call themselves evangelicals but don't walk the walk and talk the talk. And all too often, people who use the Christian religion for political or entrepreneurial purposes lose sight of the tenets of the Christian faith in their quest for power and money.
Once in awhile, I have to remind myself that some things never change. In the preface to Mere Christianity (copyright 1952), C.S. Lewis wrote that some people objected to his "use of the word Christian to mean one who accepts the common doctrines of Christianity. People ask 'Who are you, to lay down who is, and who is not a Christian?' or 'May not many a man who cannot believe these doctrines be far more truly a Christian, far closer to the spirit of Christ, than some who do?'"
Lewis went on to discuss how the word "gentleman" lost its meaning. Originally, if you called someone a gentleman, you were stating factual information about him - that he was a landowner with a coat of arms. Over time, the word gentleman came to mean something entirely different; it became a way of praising a man's behavior. It stopped being a useful, differentiating kind of word. You might as well call a man a "good" man as a gentleman.
In the same way, if I try too hard to refine the word "Christian" to mean someone who is "close to the spirit of Christ," I risk making it a useless word. I am not qualified to judge someone else's relationship with God. I cannot see into the hearts of men; only God can.
As C.S. Lewis reminds me, non-believers often ask the question: If Christianity is true, why aren't all Christians nicer and more moral people than all non-Christians? After all, religion is worthless unless it changes a person for the better. Lewis made the point that people are not 100% Christian or 100% non-Christian. There are many "Christians" who are "slowly ceasing to be Christians but who still call themselves by that name." Other people "are slowly becoming Christians though they do not yet call themselves so." Many people are attracted to Christ's teachings and don't even know it.
I concede that it is pointless to make judgments about Christians and non-Christians as a whole. Nevertheless, I have to admit that because the "evangelical Christian" label means nothing today, I find myself wanting to call myself something different - a believer, a wholehearted disciple of Jesus Christ, a Red Letter Christian. I don't own the word Christian; I belong to Jesus Christ. And it is because my name is Child of the One True King that I want the world to know who Jesus really is.
Two Disparate "Gospels"
While I can't say who is and isn't a real Christian, it troubles me that any Christ follower would be persuaded by a man whose message is antithetical to the gospel. This headline-grabbing "savior" promises to make the country great again by throwing out immigrants and shutting out refugees. He is frequently called a demagogue, one who manipulates the emotions of the crowd, playing on their fears, anger, and resentment. He has also been called narcissistic, bigoted, a misogynist. This is not a flattering portrait and yet "Christians" excuse his behavior.
In his post, The Gospel According to..., McKay Coppins writes about the "absurdity" of this ungodly man trying to portray himself as a "religion referee." Coppins notes that the religious posturing is not about theology; it is about branding. His "target demographic is not America's most devout, but its most anxious and aggrieved" and he's not selling salvation but a return to a "bygone era."
In his post, The Gospel According to..., McKay Coppins writes about the "absurdity" of this ungodly man trying to portray himself as a "religion referee." Coppins notes that the religious posturing is not about theology; it is about branding. His "target demographic is not America's most devout, but its most anxious and aggrieved" and he's not selling salvation but a return to a "bygone era."
So how do any Christians justify ignoring the gospel of Jesus to support the spiritual incorrectness of a demagogue? I can think of two reasons. One, Christians are vulnerable to being influenced by un-Christian messages if they do not guard their hearts. A person who repeatedly listens to those who say that Americans should resent immigrants for taking our jobs, resent the poor because they're too lazy to work, etc., becomes desensitized and stops hearing the compassionate message of Jesus Christ.
Two, many Christians fear the loss of traditional values and changes in the social order that are occurring on our country. They are so fearful and hungry for a sense of control that they are willing to trust a strongman, even one of low moral repute, if he promises to protect their religious freedom and restore the status quo. In The rise of American authoritarianism, Amanda Taub explains the research into the psychological trait known as authoritarianism.
Authoritarians are thought to express much deeper fears than the rest of the electorate, to seek imposition of order where they perceive dangerous change, and to desire a strong leader who will defeat those fears with force.In contrast, Jesus told us to trust in him and not to live in fear. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. (Matthew 10: 28-30)
Those who remain in Jesus follow him because they know his voice. He is The Good Shepherd and his sheep will not follow a thief and a robber. In fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice.
Discerning versus Judging
I have said that the man who says he'll make America great again is not a Christian. If I thought he were truly a Christian, I would have to say that I do not want to be one. But I do want to be a Christ follower because I know and love Jesus and have witnessed his power to save and transform the lives of those who trust in him.
Many will say that I am being judgmental. I am just calling it like I see it. When such forthrightness comes from a man whose tongue is an untamed serpent, many people admire his rejection of "political correctness." But when a religious person points out the wrongness of his behavior, his supporters are quick to shoot the messenger. I know this is true because I saw the angry, judgmental responses when a Christian author and pastor wrote a blog post critical of the man whose name I refuse to utter in my own post.
In Decency for President, Max Lucado wrote that he hopes and prays for a return to verbal decency. Lucado spoke out about the rudest of presidential candidates because he has been "chagrined by his antics." The insensitivity of the self-adoring man would not be acceptable for children, much less for the leader of our country. But when a man behaves indecently and with a complete lack of sensitivity "while brandishing a Bible and boasting of his Christian faith," it is enough to make even those who normally stay out of political discussions stand up and say this is wrong.
Jesus said that we are not to judge others or we will be judged by the same measure. We are not to be hypocrites, tearing others down to build ourselves up. As I write about the wrongness of a political candidate's words of bigotry and hatefulness, I do so confessing that I am not above reproach. The words of my mouth and meditations of my heart are often not pleasing to my Lord.
But there is a difference between judging in the sense of holding yourself out to be morally superior to someone else and judging in the sense of discernment - being able to tell the difference between right and wrong, between truth and lies. Jesus warned his followers to watch out for "false prophets" who claim to be religious but are motivated by money, fame, or power. Jesus taught us to judge the results of being his follower: a good tree bears good fruit. Those of us who belong to Jesus Christ are to live by the Spirit. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23).
Christ also said that our words reveal what is in our hearts. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. (Matthew 12:34-36)
The apostle John wrote beautifully about how to tell whether a person really walks in the light of Jesus.
If we claim to have fellowship with God yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.
For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes, and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world.
Max Lucado wrote, "We can only hope, and pray, for a return to verbal decency." Verbal decency would be nice, but I pray for more than that. In a way, the lack of verbal decency clarifies things for me. The boasting of what a man has and what he says he will do to others come not from God but from the world.
I pray for my country. I pray that we will have the wisdom to choose a leader who has compassion and love for his or her fellowman, regardless of political affiliation. I pray for wisdom and discernment for myself and for other followers of Christ. I pray for courage to stand up for what is right. I pray that those who don't know Jesus will see his light, love, and truth in the darkness and deception that surrounds us.
