Historic Evangelicalism

I recently taught a a series on "What is an Evangelical?" It was an eye opening experience. There are, of course, many statements out there on what it means to be evangelical. The most notable include "An Evangelical Manifesto" and The Gospel Coalition's "Foundational Documents." Now both of these have writers and/or supporters for whom I have great respect. The problem is that we still do not have a clear definition of what it means to be "evangelical." It becomes even more confusing when we add into this the term as it is commonly used today.


So what does evangelical really mean? Evangelical is a term that is thrown around today as much in the media as in the church. It is, in point of fact, a terms that is as common today as "White House." Yet, while there is no question what is meant when people refer to the "White House," evangelical is not so clear, despite being in the public vernacular for the last 30 years.


The presidential election of 1976 placed "Evangelicalism" at the center stage as both Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter readily identified themselves as born-again evangelicals. America sat up and said, "evan-what?" This had such an impact that Time Magazine declared 1977, following the election, the "Year of the Evangelical." Since then the battle has been on to define evangelicalism.


What I have found is that we have mistakenly come to identify "evangelical" with a political position, most often conservative Republican. (Understand that I am of this political persuasion but have come to believe it is not a defining characteristic of being evangelical.) I have also found that much of what the media refers to as evangelical today, is not truly evangelical. As a result of my study, I have come to a conclusion that there are 10 of what I refer to as "Historically Essential Components of Evangelicalism." It is these essentials that I use to define "Historic Evangelicalism." These ten essentials are:


Historically Essential Components of Evangelicalism

1. Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone)
1. The perspicuity of scripture
2. Sola Fide (Justification by faith alone )
3. Charitable handling of theological conflicts
4. Priesthood of all believers
5. Experiential heart
6. Desire for Holiness
7. Emphasis on the role of holistic worship
8. Affirm the doctrines of historic orthodoxy
9. Passion for missions
10. Concern for the poor and disadvantaged

It is these 10 point I refer to when I use the term, "Historic Evangelicalism." My hope, over the course of several blog entries, is to expound on each of these point, placing them both in their historical context and showing how they fit the world today.

New Year's Resolutions.

I have been pondering the idea of New Years resolutions. They have a long history going back to the early Roman Empire and continuing though today as detailed in the article "Resolutions Worth Keeping" by Chris Armstrong, found in Christian History magazine.

Now if we are all honest, at some point in our lives we have probably taken part in making New Year's resolutions. These resolutions often include such things as loosing weight, exercising more, eating healthier, spending time with family and friends and being nicer to people.

There is, of course, nothing wrong with these resolutions. But how do our resolutions usually work out. If we chooses to loose weight, odds are we binge on food through December 31 under the idea that we will suddenly change on January 1. And what happens after January 1. We may do well for a day, for a week or even a little longer, but then comes that day when it slips our mind and without thinking we eat that thing we shouldn't have. We then see ourselves as having failed. Often we say, well, since I have already eaten this, I will just take the rest of the day off and start up again tomorrow. We continue this way for a while, slipping here or there and restarting each time until we finally say, "what's the point?" "I keep stumbling." So we end out pitching the whole resolution.

So what is the problem. First we treat January 1 as though it has some kind of magical powers. We think we can do whatever up until midnight and then we will magically gain the ability to resist what we have been indulging in. This is like deciding that we are going run a marathon without having prepared and trained for it. It is not just the date or even our decision that will make the difference, but we must also change our habits and this is something that is not done over night. It takes time. We can not realistically think that we are going to change overnight, even if it is a "New Year."

Second, we to quickly see a stumble as a failure and give up. But stumbling is not a failure, it is a chance to grow. It is from these experiences that we better learn to deal with temptations and bad habits. How do we grow, by correcting the error immediately. When we say, well I will continue this for the rest of the day and start again tomorrow, we are actually rewarding our stumbling, making it easier and easier each time we stumble to just let it slide. Soon it even becomes easy to justify a conscience decision to violate our resolution. We need to realize that stumbling only becomes failure when we do not pick ourselves back up and continue on.

It is the same way with the sin in our lives. We live a life indulging in our personal sins (over eating, drunkenness, pornography, sexual sins, etc.) and then think we can just put these things behind us the day we make a commitment to God that we are going to change. (Yes, I have heard the stories of the life changing conversions. The heroin addict who came to faith and the addiction was miraculously cured. I also believe that while this can happen, it is the exception and not the rule.) We need to accept that change is going to be a process and that it may take a long time. There is no magic pill that will make it all go away overnight. There will be times that we stumble, but what do we do with those stumblings? Do we make excuses? Do we use it as an opportunity to indulge? Or do we correct the behavior immediately? Do we pick ourselves up and move on?

You see, a resolution is not a one time thing. It is an ongoing commitment. In a world were we want, and to often get, things instantly, we need to slow down and accept that things take time. That changes will not just happen, but rather that we will need to work for them.

But remember this, we do not need to do this alone. We find accountability and support in friends and family. And for those of us who know Jesus as our personal Savior, we find our strength in him alone.

So as you take time to make your resolutions, think about those things that really matter. Think about those things that will not only improve your life, but improve your relationship with God as well as others. And realize that you are setting out on a journey that may well last the rest of your life.

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"
I Corinthians 10:31

It's Not Just a Right, It's Not Just a Privilege, It's a Responsibility - Voting

There are many traditions and rules around elections that most of us do not understand. Did you know that the Democratic donkey was originally used as an attack on Andrew Jackson, the Democratic candidate in the 1828 election. Did you know that the Republican elephant was taken from a passing reference in an 1874 cartoon in Harper's Weekly. Did you know that the elections were set in November because this allowed the harvest to be completed, freeing the mostly agrarian society to vote. Did you know that Tuesday was chosen because Monday was not considered reasonable since it would require many people to begin travel on Sunday, conflicting with Sunday worship. Did you know that the first Tuesday, after the first Monday was chosen to avoid November 1 because 1) it was All Saints Day and 2) many business owners did their books on the fist of the month.

These are all interesting and perhaps even fascinating facts. But on a more serious note, American Citizens have been granted an amazing privilege that is not found everywhere in the world. That privilege is the right to have a voice in deciding our leaders. Historically, however, Americans have not met this challenge as they should. According to the Federal Election Commission, voter turnout for the presidential election years between 1960 & 2004 ranged from 49.1% - 63.1%. This means that two-fifth to one-half of the eligible voters failed to accept this responsibility. Voting is not just a right, it is not just a privilege, it is a responsibility.

"Taken as individuals, we are merely citizens like any other. Taken together as part of the body of the people, we are God's anointed in this land. The people of this country are chosen out like David was chosen, like Solomon was chosen, to shape the destiny, by God's providence, of this land. And as they stood before God to answer for their responsibility, so we stand before Him to answer for ours." Alan Keyes, March 2000

Election Day is November 4. Please take the time to exercise your right and accept the responsibility that you have been given.

VOTE!