I have noted before that Evangelicalism generally is once again following the culture into liberalism.

We can see this theologically, of course, with the emergence of new strain of higher criticism in the “post-evangelical” theology in our seminaries; we can see it in the church in our post-modern/emergent churches which are beginning to look and sound just like the “In His Steps” progressive liberals of the late 19th/early 20th century (only without any veneer of pietism this time round); we are also seeing it in the “power of positive thinking” Norman Vincent Peale revival being spread by Osteen and his look-a-likes.

We are also seeing it politically with “evangelicals” like Joel Hunter, pastor of Northland Community Church in Orlando, praying in a pluralistic manner at the Democratic National Convention and helping to craft a progressive social program and essentially giving up on the fight against abortion because after all “we’re never gonna win” and “it isn’t as important as social justice.”

I wrote the following in a recent article entitled Reinventing Liberalism:

Politically, we have also followed the example of 19th century theological liberals who first attempted to use politics as a blunt instrument in creating a moral “Christian kingdom” here on earth without having to depend on Christ’s work in the salvation of individuals and the remolding of the world at the eschaton. When this attempt failed due to the fact that unregenerate men cannot be forced to act in a genuinely regenerate manner and only the very supernatural gospel the liberals rejected can actually change the unregenerate heart and remold society, the theological liberals changed track and threw themselves into progressive politics, universal charity, and the Marxist principle of the redistribution of wealth.

Modern evangelicals are presently going through something of the same transition. Their attempts at creating a moral America politically have failed, and increasing numbers of their children are throwing themselves into liberal and progressive politics often under banners of justice, peace, environmentalism, and mercy ministries. The fact that it is far easier and less uncomfortable to help build a house than share the gospel helps, of course. And while society condemns efforts to convert men, efforts to feed and clothe them are generally always applauded. We may be castigated as dangerous fanatics for asking “are you saved?” but we have found that the culture is happy when evangelicals redirect their efforts into “saving the planet.” Far too seldom do we ask what good it will do someone if they had a full belly and a solar powered home of their own just before they entered into Hell.

Nowhere is the above more apparent than with Richard Cizik, of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), in his recent interview on National Public Radio, which David Welch comments on in a recent WND article Who Speaks for Evangelicals?

My advice: Hold on, stay on the King’s Highway but prepare to have the majority of our Evangelical brethren once again break left. The question over the next 10 years will be which seminaries and denominations will follow them and which will stay on the narrow path that leads to salvation? Either way, we have another major realignment, as important as the old Fundamentalist/Modernist controversy, rapidly developing.

I only wish the battle lines were as clearly denominated as they were back then.
_____________
Andrew J. Webb is pastor of Providence Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, N.C.