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TechnoratiCould this be an attempt to qualify the most basic of all evangelical foundational beliefs, Jesus’ assertion that “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6)? I could not help but notice that when the Manifesto quoted this verse several paragraphs earlier in the document, the drafters omitted the last half of the verse: “no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Why?
Is this just verbal imprecision, or is it something more? I know the majority of the drafters and the original signees, and I know that they are “exclusivists” — people who believe that for all men everywhere there is only salvation in personal faith in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16). However, I know at least one original signee to be a non-exclusivist. The question must be asked, and asked clearly and directly — does An Evangelical Manifesto believe that salvation for all men everywhere is through personal faith in Jesus and only Jesus?
Further, can someone believe something other than “exclusivism” concerning salvation and still be an evangelical? This evangelical’s answer to that question is, and always will be, “No!”
When the Manifesto turns to calls for reform of evangelical behavior, I certainly find much with which to agree. I have made many very similar criticisms of evangelicals over the years. In fact, I have said that given the burgeoning growth of evangelicalism in America over the past 40 years, that at this point, we must acknowledge that we have been influenced by society as much, or more, than we have influenced it. Indeed, instead of being the salt and light we have been commanded to be (Matthew 5:13-16), too often we have been salted and lit by the society around us.
I certainly agree with the critique of the rampant consumerism and materialism which provide kindling and fuel for the “prosperity” gospel, which in truth is not only not evangelical, but a false gospel.
However, if the Manifesto can take time to denounce “consumerism” by name, why can’t it take time to specify the sins of premarital and extramarital sex? When evangelicals, who proclaim the sanctity of marriage, have the same rate of divorce as the general society, they have indeed shamed the Gospel they proclaim with their lips, but deny with their libidos.
Are these sexual sins considered too politically incorrect to criticize? Are they considered too much about “personal morality”? We know, and should acknowledge, that the landscape of our society is littered with the sexual revolution’s victims — evangelicals among them — young and old, adult and child, male and female.
Lastly, the Manifesto turns to finding “a new understanding of our place in public life.” I agree, and have said publicly many times, that as Christians and evangelicals we should never be “completely equated with any party, partisan ideology, economic system, class, tribe, or national identity.” I have often said that our ultimate allegiance is to God, never any candidate or political party.
However, the Manifesto acknowledges and lauds the impact and influence of prominent evangelical political reformers such as William Wilberforce and movements such as “the abolition of slavery and women’s suffrage.” The question must be asked, “How did Wilberforce end the slave trade?” He was a Member of Parliament, and he used the political process to end the slave trade. Continue »
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Agree: 
Disagree: 
