Salvation Revelation

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.

‘Evangelical Manifesto’ Ponders Politics - AOL News

I believe that last statement sums this all up nicely. This is an internal dispute amongst Christians over how to remain relevant in “public life”.  We see plenty of focus on “society” and  ”culture wars” but how many Christians are now obsessing over how to flex “God’s” muscle in society as if they are supernaturally endowed to speak for God and yes, sent forth to create His kingdom on the Earth.

 I wonder how many Christians are familiar with John 18:36. “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”

I understand that a certain submission between Christians and government is required. But I find it odd that so many Christians are hoodwinked into the  bait and switch mentality of the politics of the day. Take abortion as an example. It’s a heated topic that many good Christians feel their “Christian” President George Bush would surely have overturned had it been within his power.

Now, lets read a sample from recent speech made by Chuck Baldwin:

“If I were President, I would use the bully pulpit of the White House to encourage Congress to pass Congressman Ron Paul’s Sanctity of Life Act. In short, this bill would do two things: First, it would declare that unborn babies are persons under the law. Second, under the authority of Article. III. Section. 2. of the U.S. Constitution, it would remove abortion from the jurisdiction of the Court. In essence, this bill would immediately overturn Roe v. Wade and end legalized abortion.

Republicans tout themselves as being “pro-life.” Yet, the GOP controlled both houses of Congress and the White House for six years and did absolutely nothing to overturn Roe or end abortion-on-demand. Under my administration, we could end legal abortion in a matter of days, not decades. And if Congress refused to pass Dr. Paul’s bill, I would use the constitutional power of the Presidency to deny funds to protect abortion clinics. Either way, legalized abortion ends when I take office.”

Christians have, as a whole, been duped into fighting many wars without end prior to that of terrorism. Abortion is a prime example of something which all Christians fight to end, yet we sit back and watch our Christian leaders tell us they will work to end it, while they do nothing about it.

To see how simply abortion could be ended is something that should make all Christians fighting this battle… sick to their stomach. President Bush has signed a plethora of presidential executive orders that have directly infringed upon our rights as American citizens and yet… the Mr Bush, “good Christian” and most powerful man in the world couldn’t muster enough energy or time to sign a bill that would end abortion. Curious… is it not?

Christians need to stop turning to authority figures to tell them what to do and who to vote for. They need to start turning to the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to guide them in these decisions. Reading statements such as “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…” well, they make me sick.

I dn’t remember Jesus telling His followers, ”I’m going to send you highly public, very powerful men who will speak for me and as such you should never think for yourselves, but follow these men always because they know better than you?”

 MAtthew 23 tells us:

   ⁸But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.  ⁹And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. ¹⁰Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. ¹¹But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant…”

As Christians we are called to serve God, to study His word, and to seek the truth without needing self appointed men of authority to tell us what to do or how to serve. Protestants mock Catholics for calling priests “father” while they themselves miss the whole point of the entire chapter.

We are called upon to be different. We are to stand out. We are not to kiss the feet of men who claim to have the answers. We are not to bow to “Christian” authority figures. All that we need to live good Christian lives, we have in the Word and through the Holy Spirit.

Twisting a Chritian life into a “political movement”, be it focused on abortion and marriage, culture wars, or upon trying to bring about Christ’s Kingdom here on Earth… well they’re all ridiculous and in conflict with what our Lord has told us to be.

Christians are to seek the truth. The truth is, this is not a Christian nation and our leaders do not serve Jesus Christ, but rather.. the god of this world.  2 Corinthians 4:4 “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

For the time being Christians can live and serve happily in this nation. Christians aren’t yet being persecuted or hunted down and killed for their beliefs… as our forefathers were. But that day is fast approaching again. And Instead of dealing with these issues and preparing for the dire reality of the lateness of the hour, Christians are hell bent on playing footsy with these powers that are even now preparing to thrust this nation into chaos and destruction for the sake of global government and a new world order to be ruled over by the son of perdition.

It is time for America’s Christians to wake up and to throw off the chains that bind them to a currupt political system, constructed of professional liars who put themselves above all else.

The Bible tells us what is coming. It’s time we begin to heed that warning. For this game of politics is a game that we cannot win and were never meant to win. Salvation and eternal life, however… is a gift from God through the blood of Christ and that is what we are called upon to share with other.