Liberty University

politics

We missed our Christian moment, again

As the build up to the Iowa caucus as come and gone, there was a heavy focus on the Evangelical Christian vote as a key to winning. Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Donald Trump all sought the support of the voting block of Christians so crucial to winning the GOP nomination. It was Trump who made the greatest public effort towards being “a Christian” and it made all Christians look bad, very bad.

Donald Trump cozied up to Jerry Fallwell Jr. when he spoke at Liberty University to capture support from the traditional support system of Evangelical voters when he said, “Christianity is under siege.” What really made news is that he quoted scripture saying, “Two Corinthians” which prompted laughter among students listening because the reference is “Second Corinthians”. For the 10,000 students in attendance, Trump accomplished what he sought out to do: to look and act like conservative Christian.

Trump was not finished with his Christian pandering. In a worship service in Iowa, Trump put in his offering money into the communion plate prompting commentators to point out that Trump is not familiar with basic Christian worship. On the eve of the Iowa caucus, Trump posted an online video of his family Bible while carefully pointing out how he would not let “the Evangelicals” down. In many speeches to crowds he promised to “make Christianity great again”.

It is embarrassing to watch a politician try so hard make himself look like a conservative Evangelical Christian. It is troubling to see Christianity on display in such parody. It is saddening to watch Christianity be used as a political football for politicos and prognosticators to diagram and dissect. It is disheartening to watch Christianity be used as stepping stone to the presidency.

We Christians had a moment in the public eye and we missed it. Again. Continue Reading…

liturgy

Liturgical Evangelicals

I’ve made the case many times on this blog that several Baptist/evangelical/congregational churches are becoming more liturgical: printed prayers, responses, confession, creeds, lectionary, robes, candles, and hymns. Evangelical and Baptist churches are following the Liturgical Calendar and worshiping in several non-traditional worship styles. Notably Taize and Iona. Robert Webber wrote in 1985 that Evangelicals were beginning an attraction to the liturgical church.

What are we to make of this? Are these Evangelicals trying to be something they are not? A gimmick? Two articles are worthy of your attention on this trend to answer these questions.

The first is by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove (fellow Eastern University grad) who writes in Christianity Today: Continue Reading…

blog, prayer

Adopt a Liberal

The Liberty Council, a nonprofit organization that defends religious liberties, is encouraging people to “Adopt a Liberal” and to “pray earnestly and intensely for them.” The Liberty Council is affiliated with Liberty University (Jerry Falwell founded the school) and has championed the idea of “praying” rather than politically criticizing “liberal” politicians.

The website that the Liberty Council created, has codified and has even named these liberals. Notable figures include:

President Barack Obama
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
Mayor Michael Bloomberg
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Senator Olympia Snowe

Surprisingly, this list is made of both Democrats and Republicans. Liberty University has long been associated with the “Christian Right” movement of the 1980’s and 1990’s through Jerry Fallwell’s involvement. This certainly changes the the idea that the “Christian Right” has always been closely connected to the Republican party.

Is this what Jesus meant by, “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” in Matthew 5? What is the motive behind such an organization?

The Liberty Counsel makes their intent clear:

We missed our Christian moment, again

Liturgical Evangelicals

Adopt a Liberal

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