May I pose the question: What thoughts infiltrate your mind when I say the words “Evangelical Christian”? It’s plagued me for the past couple of months. I seem to have found a way to push it into the furthest corner of my mind. Past the remember to pay the bills, take back library books, do I have any baby food left for Brennan, did I remember to put deodorant on . . . among a million other things.
In hoping to avoid having to actually think about this nagging question I sat down to fold my laundry to whatever was being spewed out of my television set. I came upon Law and Order. I have never watched this show before and because I always seem to tune in in the middle of any and all programs I was thrilled that this delightful treat of crime and punishment was just starting! I hadn’t missed anything! So who cares what’s on . . . I was getting to view a whole TV program from beginning to end!
Here we go. Back to the point. What episode do I happen to stumble on? A political activist for the Conservative side of things saying the most hateful things in a gathering of college students. All of whom were less than excited about her anti-stem cell research speech among other hot issues that get liberals angry and bitter at Evangelicals. Her actions and comments reflected nothing of Christ and yet how many of you agree that this is what most of our country thinks when they hear the words “Evangelical Christian”?
I admit I have been out of the loop with the circle of believers that hold those political causes in high regard. But I am confident when I say that I do not wish to be associated with them. Even though they may be my sisters and brothers in Christ I have a hard time jumping on the band wagon of political causes that have created this horrid view of Jesus.
My question is: What is the true meaning of an “Evangelical Christian”? Can we separate this label that has been put on political activists and conservative parties that happen to be followers of Christ and the true meaning of the words? This title, label whatever you call it leaves such a bad feeling way down deep that I can’t help but want to dismiss this Evangelical Christian thing altogether. I am still seeking and thinking about this. I’m trying to keep it closer to the front of my mind, right next to the program guide to PBSkids.
Am I an Evengelical Christian?
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T & L Mayfield Said:
on April 21, 2007 at 3:45 pm
“Can we separate this label that has been put on political activists and conservative parties that happen to be followers of Christ and the true meaning of the words?”
I’ve wondered this same thing Molly. I am beginning to despise labels, not so much because they aren’t true, but because of the divisions they cause and the negative connotations people associate with their labels. What’s scary to me is when people actually long for a label – who wear their label proudly and even boastfully. I was in that scary place once upon a time, and I can say now that longing for a label and division between “parties” or “beliefs” is most often because of a lack of self awareness and is truly a defense mechanism.
The Frank Family Said:
on April 24, 2007 at 6:10 pm
I would have to agree with t & I on this whole bit. I once considered myself an evangelical Christian and now prefer to say I am a believer. It has less religious connotations. I almost go so far as to steer away from the word Christian at all. I love Jesus. I am a follower of Christ. I am not into “playing church” any more than I am into “playing house.” Life’s too short for these games. I also agree that labels are often a lack of self awareness and give people a false sense of security.
david clark Said:
on May 8, 2007 at 12:51 pm
here is an interesting article from the washington post
Terri Lynn Said:
on May 12, 2008 at 6:30 pm
I live in Salt Lake City Utah. I am NOT mormon, myself, husband and two small babies moved here for my husband’s job. Being 2500 miles away from family and friends, I decided to try to get out and make friends. My husband travels for his job and is only home a few days a month. So, being a new mom with children only 10 months a part in age, I was feeling very isolated and lonely.
I am of no particular faith. I am open minded and believe everyone has the right to choose for themselves. I lean more towards “new age” thinking but I am not preachy or radical about any of it. I saw a commercial on tv for a chrisitan church. I looked it up on line and it seemed nice, friendly, and they did TONS of things for kids. Which is what I was looking for. Being at home 24-7 with two babies, I was excited that they had a “play group” twice a week. They met at the park in the summer months. Even church service was held in the park in the summers. They had cook outs, socials, women’s night out, all sorts of things. And day care is often provided. Since that would be the ONLY break I would get from the kids, I figured it was worth sitting through a bible study for. So I went.
Every one was nice, most of the people were from out of state. Growing up in New Jersey, all I knew of church was Catholic, Methodist and Jewish. I had NO clue that the church I was attending and studying with was Evengelical!! I really wasn’t sure what that was exactly. Since I consider myself a new age thinking person. I am not ultra liberal, but I am not really conservative…sort of in the middle. I was stunned at their very strict beliefs. The singing, the hands up in the air at “service”. The very right-winged, no tolerance point of views.
However. The evengelical church in Salt Lake I still attend, to my knowledge, are NOT the “shouting, hateful” type of people I have seen in the past protesting in front of abortion clinics and such. And though I do not even consider myself christian, they do go through the bible verse by verse. The do teach the word of “God”. According to the bible. They believe the bible is the literal word of God. And the only way to be “saved” from death and hell, is to accept Jesus Christ as your lord and savior.
Let me stress again, #1, I really don’t believe in all of that personally. My children are still very young and have no idea who “jesus” is. I will most likely be moving back home within a few years. And I want my children to decide for themselves what they believe. Every one is nice, of course they do think I am one of them. And I am in the Mormon captial of the world. When I first moved to Salt Lake city, I did a lot of reasearch on the mormon church. I had a years worth of “lessons” with mormon missionaries, and attended their church as well. I figured the whole, “when in rome….” theory. They are just too far out there for me. Plus, they didn’t have the friendly “community” that this evengelical church does.
I think you are being prejudice against a certain type of evengelical. Sort of like animal rights people who get nuts and protest to an extreme….other vegans (like myself) often get clumped together in with those type of extremists. I don’t think that is fair at all.
mcclark Said:
on May 12, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Terri ~
Thank you for the post. I haven’t kept up on my blog very well so I was excited to see some one was reading it!
I re-read my post and can see where you would think me prejudice. I didn’t intend to sound that way. This evangelical Christian community is what I grew up in. I do dislike lumping people together . . . I’m really just re-thinking where I’ve been and where I’m headed and many of the things I was taught back then don’t quite add up now.
It’s a personal journey. You’re right in saying that I’m clumping them together. I still am an “evangelical Christian” by definition.
I’m glad you’ve found community in the church you’re involved in. But of all the wonderful things you’ve said about the church you’re in, do you think it’s fair to the nice people you are hanging out with and entrusting your children to that you’re kind of living a lie letting them think you’re “one of them”? Just curious what you’re thoughts on that.
Thanks again for the conversation.