Separating Politics from Religion

Some conservative Christian leaders are out to re-vamp our modern understanding of the word "evangelical" and aim to get back to their biblical roots.  In today’s world, the world saying someone is an “evangelical” is tantamount to saying that person is “right-wing conservative, anti-abortion, anti-gay marriage, right-to-bear-arms” politico. “Evangelical” has come to mean something political.  This group of leaders has drafted an “Evangelical Manifesto”, they call it, in an attempt to re-focus Christian leadership on the bible, rather than politics. "All too often,” the document states, “we have attacked the evils and injustices of others, while we have condoned our own sins." It argues, "We must reform our own behavior.”

Wow, this really changes everything!

This group of evangelical leaders appears to have grasped the idea that blaming others for their “evils and injustices” does not help people become better Christians.  This group seems to recognize that blame is not the answer.

Taking Ownership

Next, these leaders recognize the obligation they have, as leaders to own that things are not perfect in their camp, either. By stating “We must reform our behaviors” they are acknowledging that in order to truly be evangelical, they must practice what they preach.

Getting back to the roots of what “evangelical” means is difficult because there is no clear definition of the word.  The most common understanding of the word is that it means, “relating to or being a Christian church believing in personal conversion and the inerrancy of the Bible especially the 4 Gospels”. 

Notice the word “personal”.  So when I read what these Christian leaders are attempting to do with their “Evangelical Manifesto” I read that they are taking personal ownership of reforming the role of evangelicals from that of political mouthpieces into the original meaning of the role as religious leaders.

Whether mainstream evangelical leaders will sign the document or not is yet to be seen.  One can only hope that these leaders will recognize the importance of their role in the Christian community and in the country as leaders of the faith. When they choose to polarize themselves by advocating certain political views and yet “condone(ing) (their) own sins” the result is a public view of what appears to be a kind of hypocritical Christianity.

Should Evangelicals be political?

What do you think? Should evangelicals take the role of political leadership as the trend has been in the past couple of decades? Or should they step back and resume their original purpose as biblical teachers? Is there a difference? I’d love to hear from you! Comment below.