This episode tackles the issue of politics in evangelism. Since politics is mostly a secondary issue, Christians themselves disagreeing, it should be avoided, for it detracts from core issues of salvation. The U.S. is presently very polarized, and the likelihood that unbelievers associate evangelicals with the Republican party and/or Christian nationalism is high, often contributing to a hostile and defensive posture among unbelievers with respect to evangelists. The evangelist therefore needs to engage, if possible, on essential Biblical truths instead of wading into secondary points upon which the Bible is either silent or unclear. The maxim popularized by John Wesley (Rupertus Meldenius is the original source) is an excellent guide putting politics in perspective: "in essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty; in all things, charity." Politics falls under "non-essentials," therefore "liberty" (of conscience) and mutual respect should prevail. The character of the evangelist is often placed on trial as unbelievers keenly observe HOW we handle disagreement. Are we dogmatic and argumentative over minor issues or do we invite honest disagreement where all are free to disagree without souring the relationship because we prioritize unconditional love for ALL? Unfortunately many evangelicals have failed the test, making non-essentials essentials and love dependent on partisan affiliation. The evangelist, Christ's ambassador to unbelievers, must pass the test. "By this everyone will know that your are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35)
Evangelicals whoring after other gods
This episode lays out more evidence for the corruption of the evangelical church based on its embrace of rightwing identity politics. It discusses the Micah 6:8 inversion in which the demands for justice are placed on others, but mercy is not given but leveraged exclusively for personal salvation. Many evangelical Christians embrace a culture war worldview that is shaped more by Fox new and rightwing conspiracy theories than Scripture. The blasphemous embrace of the Trump bible signals the infestation of identity politics in the evangelical church.
“Who is my neighbor?”–Jesus’ answer to identity politics
This episode challenges believers to repent of identity politics, particularly with the judging, labeling, and discarding of liberals, the favorite bogeymen of conservative Christians. If the great commandments are the lens through which Christians see their neighbor, then the pigeon-holing and rejection of liberals is antithetical to Christian orthopraxy and witness. Evangelical vulnerability to right wing identity politics is evident in widespread embrace of politicians who specialize in demonization of different groups. The Biblical response to identity politics should be framed by Christ's answer to the question, "Who is my neighbor?"
The Perfect Setup for Identity Politics in the American Church
This episode provides an historical overview of evangelical Christianity, highlighting the decline of Biblical literacy and a Biblical worldview in the last 50 years. While roughly one-third of Americans identify as evangelical, only 10% meet the criteria based on the core doctrine tests of Biblicism, crucicentrism, and conversionism. And only 40% of these evangelicals actually have a Biblical worldview. Interestingly, this decline in Biblically-based Christianity has occurred while Christian influence in the political sphere has dramatically increased. The concurrence of these two trends is the backdrop of the perfect storm of the invasion of identity politics in the American church.