In a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission sees Santorum’s strong evangelical support in Iowa as a sign that the religious right is “alive and flourishing in the American body politic.” No doubt Land’s analysis is correct as far as it goes. But Lands neglects the fact that American evangelicalism itself is rapidly changing. Look at the young evangelicals who voted for Obama in 2008 and who are not waiting until marriage to have sex. Look at the so-called New Evangelicals whose views on abortion and gay marriage are shifting.
I prefer to group these young evangelicals with some of their more radical peers and speak more broadly of the post-evangelicals. Although the “post-” prefix has admittedly become tiresome, I still find it useful to pick out those who question what came before them without quite knowing what should come next. Thus post-evangelicals are simply those, like myself, for whom their own evangelicalism has become problematic. I’ll be devoting my next two blog posts to an account of post-evangelicals, from my own very limited perspective. (I hope some of my readers who also consider themselves post-evangelicals will help me fill out this description through your comments.)
Post-evangelicals are mostly white twenty- or thirty-somethings from the suburbs. We were raised as evangelicals, or we became evangelicals when our friends brought us to an evangelistic camp. As evangelicals we did bible study, sang worship songs, and argued about predestination. We talked to our school friends about Jesus and went on mission trips abroad. We felt guilty for smoking and drinking, believed evolution was bad science, and debated whether dating was permissible. We grew up watching Veggietales and even thought DC Talk was cool.
Most of this has become problematic for us. Now we prefer to gather over a beer or around a hookah, signaling our rejection of evangelicalism by defying some of its more arbitrary norms. We often dress like hipsters and listen to indy rock. We have hang-ups about the Bible and are suspicious of emotionalism. We’re unlikely to be creationists and more likely to support gay marriage. We probably talk about religion and politics a lot. When we get together, we love to swap stories about our evangelical past (a vestige of the evangelical practice of sharing testimonies). Some stories are hilarious: when my wife was a kid, if she came home from school to an empty house she would be terrified that the rapture had come and left her behind. Others reflect some pretty deep wounds: I know of a teenage girl publicly shamed in her youth group for illicit sexual activity. In the name of God, we were made to feel guilty or spiritually inadequate, we were judged, we were excluded because of our gender, or our sexuality, or our theology.
Experiences like these, silly or serious, give rise to deep existential questions. In my next post, I’ll look in more detail at some of these questions. Here I simply want to emphasize that post-evangelicals are united by our questions, not our answers. This means that our religious trajectories vary quite widely. Some of us remain with some misgivings in evangelical churches. Others are part of emerging churches or one of the liturgical Protestant churches (like the Anglicans or Lutherans). Others attend more liberal mainline churches. Still others have converted to Catholicism or Orthodoxy. A few have converted to other religions. And many of us have given up on church (not necessarily on religion) for the time being. In the great marketplace that is American religion, we are very much up for grabs.
Nevertheless, although we have a great deal of venom for particular aspects of evangelicalism, it would be misleading to interpret us as anti-evangelical. Many of us have some good things to say about our evangelical heritage, and we often remain quite critical of old-school theological liberalism. Evangelicalism bequeathed us a concern for truth, a seriousness about morality and religion, a love of the Bible and books. Many of us have been blessed with loving, supportive families. (Indeed, while some of us experience anxiety or hostility from our families as we move away from evangelicalism, others have found that our parents use us as an outlet for their own questions!)
And though we are rethinking the particular values we learned from evangelicalism, and though doubt breeds inaction as long as it persists, we generally retain a fire in our bellies. Evangelicals may see us as wishy-washy or worse, but we are just as likely to see them as abandoning the gospel. The truth is, most of us have not given up on the God we learned, as evangelicals, to love.
This is a photo by Mark Kortum, downloaded in accord with its Creative Commons license.
Mark,
Thanks so much for giving voice to this trend! Much of the nuance at stake here gets lost when people write books like “Hipster Christianity.” Or when voices like Rob Bell are dismissed as dangerous heretics within some Evangelical circles.
I grew up with a very conservative strand of Evangelicalism and eventually found that my option were to either bury my head in the sand or figure something else out. I’ve completed a pretty radical shift as I’m now one of those liberal mainline Protestants (The UCC) who identifies fairly strongly with “old-school theological liberalism.”
Oftentimes I’m disheartened by the complete and utter disconnect between mainline and Evangelical Christians. It sometimes seems as if they are members of entirely different religions. (Maybe you could argue they are.) I’m encouraged by the trend of post-Evangelicalism because I think that it has potential to create bridges between estranged Christianities. By questioning Evangelical orthodoxy while at the same time holding out to more modern theological trends, Post-Evangelicals are in a unique position to act as moderators and bridge-builders.
I’ll look forward to part 2!
All Best,
Jared
[Hi Mark: Saw this evangelical goodie on the net.]
PRETRIB RAPTURE POLITICS
Many are still unaware of the eccentric, 182-year-old British theory underlying the politics of American evangelicals and Christian Zionists.
Journalist and historian Dave MacPherson has spent more than 40 years focusing on the origin and spread of what is known as the apocalyptic “pretribulation rapture” – the inspiration behind Hal Lindsey’s bestsellers of the 1970s and Tim LaHaye’s today.
Although promoters of this endtime evacuation from earth constantly repeat their slogan that “it’s imminent and always has been” (which critics view more as a sales pitch than a scriptural statement), it was unknown in all official theology and organized religion before 1830.
And MacPherson’s research also reveals how hostile the pretrib rapture view has been to other faiths:
It is anti-Islam. TV preacher John Hagee has been advocating “a pre-emptive military strike against Iran.” (Google “Roots of Warlike Christian Zionism.”)
It is anti-Jewish. MacPherson’s book “The Rapture Plot” (see Armageddon Books etc.) exposes hypocritical anti-Jewishness in even the theory’s foundation.
It is anti-Catholic. Lindsey and C. I. Scofield are two of many leaders who claim that the final Antichrist will be a Roman Catholic. (Google “Pretrib Hypocrisy.”)
It is anti-Protestant. For this reason no major Protestant denomination has ever adopted this escapist view.
It even has some anti-evangelical aspects. The first publication promoting this novel endtime view spoke degradingly of “the name by which the mixed multitude of modern Moabites love to be distinguished, – the Evangelical World.” (MacPherson’s “Plot,” p. 85)
Despite the above, MacPherson proves that the “glue” that holds constantly in-fighting evangelicals together long enough to be victorious voting blocs in elections is the same “fly away” view. He notes that Jerry Falwell, when giving political speeches just before an election, would unfailingly state: “We believe in the pretribulational rapture!”
In addition to “The Rapture Plot” (available also at any library through inter-library loan), MacPherson’s many internet articles include “Famous Rapture Watchers,” “Pretrib Rapture Diehards,” “Edward Irving is Unnerving,” “America’s Pretrib Rapture Traffickers,” “Thomas Ice (Bloopers),” “Pretrib Rapture Secrecy” and “Pretrib Rapture Dishonesty” (massive plagiarism, phony doctorates, changing of early “rapture” documents in order to falsely credit John Darby with this view, etc.!).
Because of his devastating discoveries, MacPherson is now No. 1 on the “hate” list of pretrib rapture leaders who love to ban or muddy up his uber-accurate findings in sources like Wikipedia – which they’ve almost turned into Wicked-pedia!
There’s no question that the leading promoters of this bizarre 19th century end-of-the-world doctrine are solidly pro-Israel and necessarily anti-Palestinian. In light of recently uncovered facts about this fringe-British-invented belief which has always been riddled with dishonesty, many are wondering why it should ever have any influence on Middle East affairs.
This Johnny-come-lately view raises millions of dollars for political agendas. Only when scholars of all faiths begin to look deeply at it and widely air its “dirty linen” will it cease to be a power. It is the one theological view no one needs!
With apologies to Winston Churchill – never has so much deception been foisted on so many by so few!
Enjoyed this Mark! My mini-cohort and I have all been somewhat surprised to end up in Episcopal churches, 8 years out from college.
A couple additional things that have been important to me–
1. As a sort of counterweight to a diminished confidence in the Bible as containing ultimate authority, an increasing emphasis on communion as a way of “getting fed” 🙂 … in more evangelical churches I have felt that communion is presented as a time to “get right with God” (confess sins) and to remember the sacrifice that Jesus made… at the church I attend now these things are a part of the act, but the real point is to receive the grace and sustenance of God, and to do so in communion with others.
2. An increasing outrage over the disparate roles given to men and women by evangelicals, both within and outside of church structures.
Jared, I love your point about the potential for evangelicals to be peace-makers, as I emphasized in my second post. Thanks!
Kiely, I briefly mentioned the issue of gender and it’s implicit in my comments on the Bible, but I am guilty of down-playing it (no doubt, a man’s mistake). Thanks for emphasizing it in your comments. This has certainly been a big issue for myself and my wife as well!
Hi Jared,
I grew up with a similar evangelical background. Recently, I have decided to go one step further and become ex-evangelical. No, I have not denied the Messiah. But this group of evangelical churches has proven both in history and present day that it is NOT representative of the true faith of the Sacred Scriptures. Indeed, it seems we have done the very OPPOSITE of Yahweh´s commands to love Him wholeheartedly and love our neighbours.
For example, the Catholics persecuted the Protestants when they broke off from the main flock. Then the Protestants persecuted the Anabaptists. And they all came over to the New World and slaughtered millions of indigenous peoples. After, they/we marginalised these same people until this day, taking the best land and leaving the table scraps (which are now being sought for the ground´s oil and minerals a la Avatar-style). Then, we kidnapped aboriginal kids from their families and communities and placed them in residential schools where their culture, language and humanity was beaten out of them.
And recently, the US has put up with 8 years of rule under the godless and cruel taskmaster Dick Cheney with his puppet spokesman George Bush Jr. And Canada is suffering under years of Stephen Harper and the Conservatives now. Both Republicans and Conservatives in the respective countries were largely supported by evangelicals, many of whom blindly follow their leaders who decided that ruling churches, denominations and parachurch organisations is not enough.
Not enough power: they want to rule the country and call the shots, all in the name of Christ. Well, their Christ is not the Messiah of the Bible. They have turned the Prince of Peace into the Prince of War. Militarism, oppression of the poor, fanatical nationalism, discrimination against Muslims, atheists and other groups, the worship of Mammon, all these things are proof that this religion has turned into one non-stop Woodstock festival of godlessness. We fulfill Romans 1 and especially Romans 2. Jeremiah, Isaiah, Amos, Peter, Jude, John on Patmos Island, etc. are all pointing their fingers at us. The name of Yahweh is blasphemed among the nations because of us.
What we need to do is drop out of this corrupt system, and first purge ourselves from the deceit of the Matrix. Then form groups in homes, restaurants, coffee shops, office buildings and parks where we can seek the true God of the Scriptures, and love the widow and orphan in their distress. Love the single parents in our communities. Love the bullied homosexual students. Love the dropouts of society. Love Muslims and tell them that we don´t believe the hype that they are all terrorists.
Love First Nations/Native Americans and restore justice in this land, getting out of their way so that they can rebuild healthy communities, families and individuals. Love atheists and thank them for pointing out where we´ve gone wrong, especially on the social and political plain. Love even the misguided corporate hacks who desperately need an alternative to the love of money and power. Love our neighbours as ourselves as we turn again to the true Lord of heaven and earth who revealed his love, power and freedom through His Son and the One who will liberate the poor, broken and misguided people of our society, including ourselves.
Young people (and older ones too), don´t ever think you can reform this beast of evangelicalism. It won´t reform. This old dog won´t learn new tricks. But dropping out completely is not the answer. You need to reform your own hearts first, then build new communities of faith outside the bounds of Christendom. We need a new brand of Messiah-followers who will stand against injustice. We need multiple communities of Scripture-doers all over Turtle Island (an aboriginal term for North America; just look at the map). Drop out and re-form. What will this new religion that is de-Constantine-ised look like? Only you can tell us the answer.
There is a true Messiah, there are true Sacred Scriptures needing to be fleshed out in a dark world. Problem is, we have hardly seen it for 1800 years. Let´s rise up and build a lasting structure on the Rock, Yeshua, and leave the houses on sand to get wiped out by the waves and wind by themselves. Rise up and seize this historic moment, not to make a name for yourselves or your groups, but to re-dignify the name of Messiah, who has been blasphemed! Rise up and take your place in history! Rise up and be whom you were created to be! Rise up and bring Isaiah 61 back to Turtle Island and its suffering people:
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
3 To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
4 And they shall rebuild the old ruins,
They shall raise up the former desolations,
And they shall repair the ruined cities,
The desolations of many generations.
5 Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks,
And the sons of the foreigner
Shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
6 But you shall be named the priests of the Lord,
They shall call you the servants of our God.
You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles,
And in their glory you shall boast.
7 Instead of your shame you shall have double honor,
And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion.
Therefore in their land they shall possess double;
Everlasting joy shall be theirs.
8 “For I, the Lord, love justice;
I hate robbery for burnt offering;
I will direct their work in truth,
And will make with them an everlasting covenant.
9 Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles,
And their offspring among the people.
All who see them shall acknowledge them,
That they are the posterity whom the Lord has blessed.”
– Isaiah 61: 1 – 8 NKJV
Cheers, Dimitri
dimitri.pravdinATmail.ru
http://sleeplessinturtleisland.blogspot.com/; http://sleeplessinturtleisland.wordpress.com/
Consider me an older individual in this category. I turn 50 in March, and it has been my seminary education, my interactions with the social sciences, neurosciences, anthropology, critical scholarship on the Bible, and my experiences with those in other religions, all of which have shaped and transformed my understanding of the Bible, and the kind of Evangelical faith I affirm. Still willing to accept the label, but while retaining the right to disagree and refine the definition for my personal quirks, I affirm some of classical Evangelicalism while also holding to very different ideas in other areas. My main passion is preparing my tribe to engage a multifaith world in more positive and Christlike ways than we have in our defensive past given our concerns about boundary maintenance. I just hope that the gatekeepers in Evangelicalism will permit people like me to continue our journey without casting us out, or labeling us as heretics.