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Christianity Today, February, 2008 |

No Utter Collapse

Recent reports of our demise betray the media's ignorance about who we are.

Charles Colson with Anne Morse | posted 2/29/2008 09:05AM

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We must not be doing too bad a job. Now and then, even The New York Times praises our impact on foreign policy. One Times columnist expressed surprise upon learning that evangelicals get involved in human rights issues. So—to borrow from Mark Twain—reports of our demise are greatly exaggerated.

As we continue to be salt and light in our culture, evangelicals of all stripes need to band together. What we have in common is more important than the things that divide us. Republican or Democrat, we're all committed to preserving moral order, biblical orthodoxy, and defending the marginalized. These are biblical priorities around which we can and should unite.

No matter who wins the election this fall, Inauguration Day 2009 will not be Armageddon for evangelical "ayatollahs." On that day, we will still be at our posts, advancing the kingdom of God—the kingdom no election can shake.

Related Elsewhere:

Colson's previous columns are available on our site.

Christianity Today's January editorial "What We Really Want" said that despite media rumors evangelicals would not be on the sidelines this coming election.

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February 2008, Vol. 52, No. 2

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Adalton Nascimento

Posted: March 10, 2008 1:36 AM

I am not american. I am brazilian. I am evangelical. The way I see evangelicals in US still have a lot of work to do. I can not understand how americans ( and evangelical included) supports a war in Iraque and Afheganistan. How come this beautiful part of christian body that gave birth to organizations like YWAM and World Vision on the 60's and 50's, now looks so afraid. And because of this fear decides to give their leaders support to make wars. The way I see evangelical americans now is changing: not as a good people full of love and compassion, but as frighted folks who wants revenge and protection done by their leaders and soldiers. I hope american evangelicals remember that Jesus is the prince of peace.

frank

Posted: March 08, 2008 4:10 PM


Colson is on to something I hope he is right.

Rick Nowlin

Posted: March 05, 2008 7:52 AM

Sorry, but "blaming the secular media" doesn't fly here. If there's anyone to blame for the reputation that evangelical Christians are, as a rule, ideologically conservative, it's conservative Christians themselves, aided and abetted by conservative and Christian media and insulting anyone who doesn't think the way they do. Sider and Wallis, whose work predated the the "religious right" by over a decade, STILL undergo withering attacks from conservatives; indeed, a couple of years ago Colson himself went after Wallis. As an evangelical Christian who works in the secular media, I was actually offended because Colson subscribes to the false stereotype that reporters are specifically hostile to faith; rather, if Christians would engage us in a humble way perhaps we would be more understanding and sympathetic.

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