Why this Evangelical Christian is so Critical of Evangelical Christians
As an Evangelical Christian, it's my duty to criticize my people. There's plenty to criticize, and I'm the one who should do it.
Two Different Worlds
There are plenty of people who criticize Evangelicals for our beliefs who don't share our core beliefs. As one person once accused me, "You're the people who hate women." No, I don't. This accuser was criticizing one aspect of the beliefs of some Evangelicals without understanding the broader context. The role of women is a debatable consequence of the beliefs of some Evangelicals- but not all. It's a family argument. Jumping in on a conclusion of that argument is missing the point entirely.
The problem with this conversation was that they came from a different worldview than the Evangelicals. These different perspectives on life have different consequences. By arguing about the consequences, you're not getting to the heart of the matter- you're starting from a completely different frame of reference.
Criticism shouldn't come from those who don't share my worldview any more than I, as a Christian, should criticize a Muslim for wearing a hijab or what "jihad" means. That's not my place. I'll let them figure that out. In the same way, I'd suggest that those who want to criticize Evangelical Christianity for the consequences of their beliefs let us figure it out.
So here I am- offering my criticism. I come as a fellow Evangelical- not an outsider.
What is an "Evangelical?"
But what makes someone an Evangelical Christian?
Of course, Jesus sums it up best:
"The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!" (Mark 1:15b- NLT).
This is how Jesus' ministry begins in the Gospel of Mark: what seems like a contradiction between repenting and good news.
But it isn't a contradiction.
First, Jesus invites us to "repent." This tells us something about ourselves right away: we're sinners. We don't need a minor fix or merely to try and do better. We're wrong- and need to repent.
Not all Christians (let alone non-Christians) like the idea of sin. I get it: it's been used for centuries to manipulate people. If I can dictate right and wrong, I can control you and do what I want. Sometimes, people diminish the idea of sin because it's too strong or mean.
Others believe people engage in irregular behavior because of damage done to them individually (psychologically) or corporately (sociologically). They think that calling things sinful misses the real problem.
That's not what Jesus believes. He calls us to "repent." Sin is evil to him. It's a problem, and something has to be done about it.
What can be done about it? He invites us to "believe the good news."
What's this good news? That "the kingdom of God is near." He, our king, has come to finally rescue us from sin.
Jesus doesn't tell us to "try harder" or "do better." He doesn't blame our parents or our culture. He did something much better: he paid the penalty we deserved (by dying on the cross), and God accepted that sacrifice (by resurrecting Jesus from the dead).
This can be insulting to non-Christians. "Do you mean God just forgives you for your wrong? How convenient! That's not fair!" You're right- if it were just that simple. Christianity doesn't believe that God forgets our sins. That's unfair- where is justice? It teaches that someone was punished for our sins. In this way, justice is served by not just the death of anyone but God's own son.
To be honest, this can also be insulting to Christians. It's too good to be true, and it's tough for Christians in the United States to accept. Our society idealizes people who overcame their struggles and achieved victory through hard work. Jesus' good news stands in opposition to this idea: you were so bad you needed someone to come to rescue you, where you could not rescue yourself.
The fact that Jesus had to go to such extremes to save us tells us how evil sin is: it's so bad that the only solution was for Jesus to die for us. That's also what makes his message such good news- it's his gift to us, not because of anything we could do.
What's so good about repenting? When we repent, we admit that we are worse than we thought. When we see that truth, we can't help but also see how much Jesus has done for us. When we learn more about our sins, we see how much greater the good news is!
That's why I'm critical of other Evangelicals- unless you repent, you're missing out on the good news.
Repent from Christian Nationalism
One of the most significant problems for Evangelicals these days is Christian Nationalism. You have prayed for "one nation, under God" for years, and believe God has answered your prayers. Perhaps you think he raised a "Cyrus" to deliver us, as God used a similar king to deliver his people in the past.
Fellow Evangelicals- if you call yourself a Christian Nationalist, I want you to repent! There is no other kingdom to which we are called but the one inaugurated by Jesus. Only Jesus can save us. Repent!
Only then will you see the depths of this sin and how much good news Jesus has for you. Once you experience this good news, I know it will express itself in love for others- even your enemies. After all, God saved us while we were his enemies (Romans 5:10).
Just Shut Up?
But am I suggesting you remain silent if you are not an Evangelical? The horrible fact is that the rise of Christian Nationalism in the United States is affecting you adversely. Am I telling you to "shut up?"
No.
Remember, you're coming from a completely different perspective or worldview. Don't get dragged down into the consequences of core beliefs. Instead, let me give you some advice from one of my favorite theologians (yes, he's a Christian, but bear with me): keep asking questions. Get to the core beliefs. Understand them and question those beliefs.
There are a couple of benefits to this approach. For one, it's very humanizing, and that can be disarming. Another advantage is that you might discover you agree about some fundamental issues (safety, security, dignity). You can find common ground to discuss what to do about them together.
In the meantime, please accept my apology to the Evangelicals who have hurt you. We have not loved you as Jesus has called us to. I have not done enough, as an Evangelical, to work against those who hurt you. That is my sin, for which I repent.