Author, Simon.
Published, June 28, 2008.

I should note that is not a response to Adam’s previous entry on the same topic. This is simply, as the title suggests, a second opinion of this document. “An Evangelical Manifesto” was penned earlier this year, with a two-fold purpose;

[T]o first address the confusions and corruptions that attend the term Evangelical in the United States and much of the Western world today, and second to clarify where we stand on issues that have caused consternation over Evangelicals in public life.

This being the case, it is an overdue declaration. Evangelicalism has, in mainstream secular quarters, been ridiculed and misconstrued for far too long. Yet, the declaration also admits willingly that many of the problems which Evangelicals face are of their own making. At the same time, the authors of the manifesto make clear that they are unashamed to be Evangelicals.

Importantly, it is made abundantly clear that Evangelicals should be defined by their theology, not by their politics, their social status or their culture. The central theological tenets of Evangelicalism are reaffirmed, therefore reaffirming Evangelical identity. The phrase “followers of Jesus Christ” is one that is used frequently, and this is stated as central to Evangelical theology. This may seem obvious, but I think it does need to be made clear. A deep affiliation with the Protestant Reformation and biblical truth are also stated as vital to the evangelical identity. The declaration boldly declares that;

[W]e are whole-heartedly committed to the universality of the Christian church across centuries, continents and cultures, and therefore to the central axioms of Christian faith expressed in the Trinitarian and Christological consensus of the early church.

Yet it is made clear that Evangelicals hold to the distinctly Evangelical beliefs that are distinct from other traditions. Yet, humbly, it is admitted that “we repeatedly fail to live up to our high calling…we must…be shaped by [the] good news”. Here it is made plain that there it is with shame that actions and words of Evangelicals have not always reflected what our Lord Jesus embodied. This humble tone continues throughout the whole Manifesto, which I think is vital. It will appeal to non-Christian, and non-Evangelical, readers and also force Evangelicals to live up to the fact that we don’t always get it right (perhaps a large understatement).

The second major section of the manifesto discusses Evangelicalism’s place in Public Life. It attests to the widespread confusion surrounding Evangelicals in public life, and attempts to clarify this. The authors are critical of Fundamentalist Christianity, that is “politically disengaged”, and separates Evangelicals from the former. The manifesto firstly repudiates the privatisation of faith, saying “Such dualism falsely divorces the spiritual from the secular and causes faith to lose its integrity.” It also repudiates the politicisation of faith, causing it to “lose its independence.” It repudiates the “partisans of a sacred public square“, who give one particular religion preference in politics. It then repudiates what is termed the partisans of a naked public square, where all religions are kept out of politics. It is critical of “coercive secularism” and “religious extremism”, and affirms the need to keep the church and the state separate. It is clear, though, that religion and politics need not be separate, and should not be so. The most profound statement in the declaration is its promotion of a civil public square , one where all people’s rights are respected;

But we also insist that the principle of the right believe anything does not to the conclusion that anything anyone believes is right. Rather it means that respect for differences based on conscience can also mean a necessary debate over differences conducted with respect.

This is not a final word on Evangelicalism, and it is not intended to be. My hope is that this document will help the Evangelical Church realign its heart and mind towards a more biblical, well rounded and well thought out position theologically as well as politically. The manifesto gives equal weight to issues such as abortion and social justice. It is not clearly a ‘left wing’ or ‘right wing’ piece. Neither should it be. Politics is not just about abortion and homosexuality, and neither is following Jesus. I have signed the manifesto. If you are an Evangelical, you should read it, and consider whether or not you should too. It is plain talk; it doesn’t beat around the bush, although it is not judgemental either. It is respectful, without being too politically correct. The manifesto, along with a summary version and other information can be found here:

http://www.evangelicalmanifesto.com/