A Word for the Falwells of American Evangelicalism (In the wake of the “going home” of Rev. Falwell, I just want to express my sorrow for his family and the many who were touched by his ministry; particuarly the Liberty U community….I respect anyone who unabashadly shares their convictions. God rest his soul).

Well, it’s been quite some time since I’ve blogged, but upon request from a few friends, I’m “re-emerging” from the shadows of anti-blogdome as a new man. It’s wonderful to be able to express freely what a follower of Christ is supposed to be all about. A renewed commitment to side with the poor and despised of this world as a “progressive,” and yet maintain the “evangelical” element of the faith, brings with it a sense of freedom that close-minded Christians do not have. I’ve learned the value of breaking barriers and tearing down walls in order to enable the larger Christian community (and the entire human family) to find commonalities in which to work jointly upon and so create avenues for greater unity in order to meet the greatest needs of our sisters and brothers in this often difficult setting to which we are bound that we typically call “the world.”

And now, to begin, how about a word to the Pat Robertsons of the world: So really now, just “What Would Jesus Do”? I think this is a question that ultra-conservatives like Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and James Dobson need to be asking. For example, in the wake of a new “green” (ecologically/environmentally conscious) awareness among Evangelicals, James Dobson has the gall to call this effort the work of none other than Satan, and yet the command to care for the earth is the first ever given to humankind — to Eve and Adam in the garden. For a biblical literalist such as Dobson, it might be prudent to be more consistent in such a worldview that holds to the inerrancy of the Bible and its literal interpretation. Falwell, Robertson and Dobson, here’s my shot-out to the likes of you: Stop it with the double-standards! Christ says, “You are either for me or against me.” You cannot have it both ways. You can’t choose politics over the real Word of God, who is Jesus Christ (Fundamentalists have fallen into idolatrous worship of the Bible rather than worship of the living Christ). In so doing you compromise the very foundation upon which the written Word may come to us, namely as the Holy Spirit speaks truth from the words of Scripture as it is read or proclaimed. Please (please!) leave Green Christians like myself alone, and let us take on all of the moral issues of our day and not just pick and choose those to our liking that suit your political affiliation! Choose life, that you may live!

Note: The labels placed upon people in general, and in this case Christians particularly, such as “conservative” or “liberal,” are often unfair representations of what independent thinkers like myself actually believe. We believe that the real Word of God encompasses all of life, including politics, but that it should not be limited to one or two issues, especially when that means a particular political party believes it holds the “rights” to all Christian voters.