The Rise and Fall (and Rise) of the Evangelical Left

The right story told at the right time can make all the difference. Knowing this, great storytellers take as much care in selecting the right story as they do in crafting its telling. David Swartz, author and historian at Asbury University, has done just that in his newly released book, Moral Minority: The Evangelical Left in an Age of Conservatism.

This is a story many of us didn’t know we wanted and needed to read, a story many didn’t know existed. It’s a story “chronicling the rise, decline, and legacy of the evangelical left.”

But it’s so much more than that. It’s the story of what it looks like to merge progressive politics with deep personal piety; the story of “holistic concern for both evangelism and social action;” the story of a full 1/3 of evangelicals who do not find their voice in the religious right; the story of an awakening to social concern and the presence of social evil; it’s the story of evangelical politics which very much could have taken a profoundly progressive shape; it’s the story of a deeply diverse evangelicalism unwilling to fit neatly into caricatures; and its the story of what it might look like to love both God and neighbor with equal abandon.

This is a good story.

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Vladimir

The term "the evangelical left" is an oxymoron.
- Esther
  
  True. The problem is a lack of knowledge by the majority of people on Earth as to how welfare for all is supposed to work: http://www.lds.org/service/welfare-75th-anniversary/the-church-welfare-plan?lang=eng
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YRJJ7XYJIMFYUTJ5KXUFR3ZEFE Ken Kirkham

The concept is interesting. The missing element is that liberals rarely are willing to do the deed themselves, that is care for and love their brother. They believe that it is their duty to force others to do what they will not. Conservatives are far more likely to be the ones putting their money where their mouth is.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YRJJ7XYJIMFYUTJ5KXUFR3ZEFE Ken Kirkham

Another way to characterize "the evangelical left" is that they want to give people food while conservatives want to teach them how to fish.
Evermyrtle

The term "the evangelical left" is a liberal term, I believe, I know this ie the first time that I have run across it.
- Wordman
  
  It is certainly questionable how truly Evangelical these people are. By original definitoin Evangelicals are supposed to affirm the inerrancy of ALL of scripture. I'm quite sure that most of these people they call "the evangelical left" would not be willing to do that if they were pressed about verses that are not to their liking. Vladimir may therefore be correct about the term being an oxymoron.
- edc
  
  A better name is "social evangelicals", they are only interseted in carnality, not spirituality. Their god is their belly and all things fleshly.(If it feels good then it must be of God philosophy)
- fliteking
  
  Agreed, much like the word "homophobic".
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YRJJ7XYJIMFYUTJ5KXUFR3ZEFE Ken Kirkham

Why is this supposedly christian site promoting such liberal trash?
- http://www.answersingenesis.org/ keyboardshark
  
  They are not "promoting" it, they are reporting it in the hopes that it will spur a discussion of the pros and cons. In my estimation the cons outweigh the pros by a huge margin. As another comment said, it is an oxymoron.
  - http://www.facebook.com/ken.kirkham.7 Ken Kirkham
    
    "its the story of what it might look like to love both God and neighbor with equal abandon.
    This is a good story"
    
    That appears to be "promoting" in my opinion.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=58215905 Wesley Woods

too many evangelical churches forget to read the epistle of James that deals with caring for the poor, widows, and orphans and in the gospels where Jesus cared for those who where like sheep without a sheppard by supplying their physical needs. i have heard too many times about Christians claiming to be Bible believing and do not care for the physical needs of their neighbors and care only for their soul as if the physical has no purpose. the church found in the New Testament cared about the physical needs of the poor, widows, and orphans for Luke tells us that they shared what they had and none was needing. the Gospel is for both the physical and the spiritual not the either or found in many protestants today.
Wordman

Why am I cringing when I read this piece? It IS possible that we on the so called evangelical right could have something of value to learn from the so-called evangelical left. The reason I cringe is that all of my experience with that crowd paints a picture of a religious movement that has almost completely lost any real ties to a comprehensively Biblical world view. Oh, they will camp on this verse or that verse (usually taken completely out of context), but they do not see life as understood through a systematic understanding and application of EVERY verse from God's word. This is what the scriptrure calls "the whole council of God." As someone said, "A half truth presented as the whole truth becomes an UNtruth." Left leaning Christians attempt to apply part of the Bible in complete exclusion to the rest and the result is a LIE that appears to have God's approval. Let us remember that the Devil, himself wove lines of scripture into his lies. The only cure for this is the one that the Lord HImself used. We must respond by saying, "It is also written…"
- mallen11
  
  Another good assessment of this issue.
Wordman

I can't resist the opportunity to make application: Those on the left like to say that they are following the Biblical injunction to "care for our fellow man" by supporting government entitlement and wealth redistribution programs. But WHOSE money are they wanting to use for this??? Answer: OTHER PEOPLE'S! These programs use the coercive power of government taxation to forcibly take from one group in order to give to another. Robbing someone in order to help someone else is not charity but rather blatant hypocrisy. Anyone can be "generous" with someone else's money. The Bible does NOT advocate forced giving. Such programs defeat the whole purpose of charity which is to change people's hearts through voluntary giving and thankful, undeserved receiving. . Forced giving through taxation and entitlement programs doesn't soften hearts but rather hardens them. The vast majority of the "givers" in this scheme will justifiably resent being forced, and since the receivers are conditioned to believe that they are ENTITLED to what they get, they are unthankful. The only beneficiaries of this monstrosity are the state and those who run the state who are given extraordinary powers thereby. The result is inevitably widespread corruption. It is difficult to imagine a system more perverse and or better designed to defeat true Biblical charity.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=58215905 Wesley Woods
  
  Bill Hybels growing up often wondered why his church was spending so much money on world missions while ignoring the needs of their neighbors. it is all fine to have world missions, but missions start in our neighborhoods and spread throughout the whole world. Jesus told his disciples just before he went into heaven that they were to be his witnesses first in Jerusalem, then to all Judea and Samaria, and then to the ends of the world. our churches are to be hospitals, rescue missions, and soup kitchens and not to be used only Sunday mornings for worship.
  - fliteking
    
    Agreed, imagine where America would be if Missions had a strong presence in the USA.
  - http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/VBBCYNZUJPMNVGYK45HXRD7ZJ4 A Real American
    
    Since when did BEING a Christian is left to only on Sunday morning?
- Jeff Dixon
  
  “All that believed were together, and had all things in common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.”
  (Acts 2:44-45)
  They had all things in common, sharing their possessions to the point that there was not a needy person among them.
  - mallen11
    
    The church in Jerusalem was being persecuted by the Romans and the Christians had to hide from them sharing everything they had. These verses are not advocating socia-lism but survival at that time.
    - Esther
      
      Do you mean the bible in this verse is only for that time, mallen11?
      - mallen11
        
        The Book of Acts shows how the Church Age began and the things that took place; both good and bad for teaching purposes. Just like in the OT there is history regarding many things God is against but He allowed these things to be written to show us how man has distorted what God wanted for His people. The wrong things that man did found in the Bible are not what we as believers are to do and it showed how they were wrong and disciplined. This system of Christian socia-lism ended in the Jerusalem church and is not mentioned for any other church to practice during the pre-canon period. I believe if our country falls under the power of another country or even a power within our country we may have to do as they did in the church at Jerusalem to survive. However, I believe the Lord Jesus Christ will provide for those who are doing His will according to His Word, the Bible.
        
        Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in
        everything by prayer and
        supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
        
        Jeremiah 17:5
        Thus says the LORD, “Cursed is the man who trusts in
        mankind and makes flesh his strength, and whose heart turns away from the LORD
        
        Ephesians 6:10 -Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord,
        and in the power of his might.
        
        Phil
        4:13
        I can do all things through Him who strengthens me
      - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=58215905 Wesley Woods
        
        the book of Acts is about Jesus building his kingdom here on earth. the book never ends for Jesus' kingdom has no end. his kingdom is made up of people from every tribe, language, and nation.
      - mallen11
        
        One of the coming great events in the fulfillment of prophecy
        concerning the church is the personal, bodily return of the Lord to remove from
        the earth His waiting church and to reward them according to their works. (John 14:2-3; Romans
        14:10-12; I Corinthians
        3:11-15, 15:51-53, II Corinthians
        5:10; I
        Thessalonians 4:15-17; Titus 2:11-13; Revelation
        3:10)
        
        Another event yet to come is the seven year period of tribulation during which
        the judgments of God will be poured out upon the unbelieving world. These
        judgments will climax with the return of Christ in glory to the earth. He will
        destroy His enemies and restore Israel to her land. (Daniel 9:27, 12:1; Jeremiah 30:7; Matthew
        24:15-31, 25:31-46; II
        Thessalonians 2:7-12; Revelation
        16:1-19, 21, 19:1-21)
        
        Christ will then establish His thousand-year kingdom in which the saints will
        reign with Him over Israel and all the nations of the earth. (Deuteronomy
        30:1-10; Isaiah 11:1-16, 65:17-25; Ezekiel
        37:21-28; Revelation
        19:11, 20:1-6)
        
        At the close of the thousand year reign the unsaved dead will be raised and
        committed to eternal punishment and the saved will enter the eternal state of
        glory with God. (Mark 9:43-48; I Corinthians
        15:24-28; II
        Thessalonians 1:9; II Peter
        3:10-13; Revelation
        20:11-
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=58215905 Wesley Woods
      
      you are wrong for several reasons. first the persecution did not start really until three years later with the martyr of Steven. second the Jews were the ones persecuting the church in Jerusalem for by the time the Romans began persecuting the church they were heading for the hills which were still in Jerusalem as Jesus warned them in the Olivet Discourse. third the Romans did not start persecuting the church until 64 AD when the beast of Revelation Nero Caesar blamed the Christians for the fire in Rome that he started.
      - mallen11
        
        You are correct about only one thing; the Christians in Jerusalem were also persecuted by the Jewish religious leaders. They had to hide and support each other. This doe not mean we are to be socia-listic. The only time a system like socia-lism will work is during the Millennium when Christ will reign on the Throne of David for 1000 years. The Jerusalem church was weak; it was hard to change from their OT beliefs and accept the mystery doctrines of the Church Age. The Romans pesecuted all the Jews when they ruled during the time of Christ and through the time that they destroyed Jesusalem in 70AD by Titus. This sent them into the 5th Cycle of Discipline until after the Tribulation that has not taken place at this time. Parts of the Olivet Discourse is regarding what the believing Jews will follow during the Tribulation.
  - Esther
    
    Evangelical left? an oxymoron, yes, yet twisted indeed and it does exist. So are many so-called on the evangelical right also twisted, the Saints being the exception. It is linked into welfare. What do you call Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi and their followers? Don't let's talk about the "pristine" evangelicals of the Southeastern U. S.? 'Some of the highest concentrations of the food-stampers, unwed mothers, abortions, you name it… the same, card carrying, cross-bearing, Jesus-on-the-dashboard-and-T-shirts' evangelicals you ever want to meet! These are the consequences of the evangelical left or right, oxymoronic or not. It is not going away, and for many Obama is the savior, they will pull that lever for Obama if in the category of need listed. Maybe that is the reason for the listing of the article, as some here have protested, the editors may be more savvy. The reality is, there are many and they are not about to give it up, it is in their "social DNA" passed from the prior generation.
  - Esther
    
    This IS communism/social-ism, isn't it, Jeff? What are you implying here? Pray tell.
    - Jeff Dixon
      
      My point is that the bible, as usual, expresses points of view on both sides of every issue.
- mallen11
  
  Very good assessment of this administration and totally Biblical. Thank you.
- Esther
  
  The Saints are the only ones on the face of the Earth that have WELFARE figured out the way it is supposed to work, biblical or otherwise. http://www.lds.org/service/welfare-75th-anniversary/the-church-welfare-plan?lang=eng
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Martin-Saposnekoo/100000163560163 Martin Saposnekoo
  
  But then the other extreme is the arrogant pride of sodom and gomorrah who people cared nothing for the poor and let them starved to death. In this country it is same due to political correctness!!! If you believe Homosexuality is a sin or yet better–"an abomination" and get fired for standing up fo truth, i will not prosper in this world, but i am blessed for standing up for RIGHTEOUSNESS—-"10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." The sons of Bilial think their riches is in this world and nobody else in need should have anything…..Very depraved!!
  - http://www.facebook.com/ken.kirkham.7 Ken Kirkham
    
    Just more liberalism and leftist's showing their true colors.
aceituna

The whole thing centers on how each defines what the gospel is. The Right generally defines the gospel as the good news that Jesus, God's Son came to earth to redeem the sinners through his death and resurrection. Anyone who believes this will have eternal life (John 3:16). The Evangelical Left preaches the "social gospel" that God redeemes the people through providing them with their needs (example Welfare) redeemes groups not individuals, and that we can use govt. to do this task. The fact that Jesus deid to take away our sins is rarely exposed in the "social gospel". Bible study shows that God deals with individuals, not groups. Sure, God goes after nations in the messages from several of the OT profits, but He deals with individuals to bring the people to a right relationship with Godl.
Gordon

We have precious little time, and won't waste it on books like this! Where is the editorial component here? Or, is this insight into the real positions of this enterprise? If it is, we can invest our interest elsewhere!
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=58215905 Wesley Woods
  
  man has only seventy year roughly to make a legacy and impact generation in the future. Mother Teresa will be remember long after her death. most people are only three generations from being just a name on the tombstone making their impact on the future generations. people are remembered for what they did and not so much of who they are.
- Wordman
  
  I think the editors of this site are attempting to provoke us to think about and speak out against this sort of thing by publishing the promo for this terrible book at this site. I doubt that THEY think this is a good book. Clever.
Sam

Obama has made me a better American, I believe. I know things now that I would have never bothered to learn if not for obama. Things like the Constitution, Agenda 21, Islam and Sharia Law, things about our Founding Fathers and American history and politics I have learned so much these past 4 years. Communism was an interesting subject for me in high school. I sure know a lot about it now with books like "The Naked Communist" and "Masters of Deceit". I have read so many insightful books that I now have a full fledged book addiction. I cannot get enough knowledge these days. Most of all, I know that I am a Christian and I stand on Christian values. now I know that it is w Gay marriage is wrong, abortion is wrong and socialism is wrong. I love freedom and I love my America. If we go down, where will free men go?
- Esther
  
  Who are you voting for Sam?
Rocket Man

Salvation comes through Christ alone… not by our works.
- Wordman
  
  Absolutely. But good works always follow genuine faith. James 2:18
  - mallen11
    
    As long as good works are done in fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ; otherwise, they are hay, wood and stubble that will be burned at the GWTJ. Anything an unbeliever can do is not Christianity. Unbelievers do good works too and are moral. What we do under the power of the Holy Spirit is what counts with God. We can use "by their fruits you will know them" but it doesn't always carry merit. We have no idea what believers do in their private lives to serve God. It is none of our business; it is between God and each believer.
fliteking

Article: "what it might look like to love both God and neighbor with equal abandon."

The issue that arises is these "Progressive Evangelicals" begin to act like and lobby for those they are 'caring for' . . . and then push for immoral change through the Church.

I Pray to Jesus, help my neighbor, Pray for my enemies, and give to the Church and Charity while remaining a Conservative. Thanks.
Katie

I am in a bit of a quandary: I was going to download Swartz's book, but the name Moral Minority
is by Brooke Allen, our skeptical founding fathers, same as on the book cover above. I am a bit
dense at times, but is Swartz's book a sequel? thanks
http://www.facebook.com/people/David-B-Severy/557985964 David B Severy

Jesus did not come to the right or to the left, He came to the lost sheep of the house of israel and then to the gentiles who would fear Him, and He is the God of Israel, of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Jesus is Pro-Life, He IS LIFE (John 14:6), He is pro-Family, He had a Mother and a Step Dad, and step brothers and sisters. And He is, like it or not, pro-sex inside of marriage and against all sex outside of marriage! And marriage is for a man and a woman ONLY!

But is for greedy selfish acquisition of wealth and power, No. Is he for misers who give nothing to those who are in dire need of food and clothes? No. Is he for war as a solution for the disagreements of peoples and nations? No. Yet because man is a sinner from the womb, God simply works with the moral messes we make until we repent and come in faith to be saved!

Colossians 3

King James Version (KJV)

3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

If not… ? If not then your future is grim indeed.
http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/VBBCYNZUJPMNVGYK45HXRD7ZJ4 A Real American

The liberalization of Christ's "Church" is only the start of the great falling away from Biblical Christianity…and the advancement of the coming one-world religion. It will not go away either because the apostate CINO (Christian in name only) "christians" will ultimately help persecute sincere Biblical Christians. The true Christian church will eventually go underground and has actually already started by the creation of many home churches for sincere believers who have left the organized apostate churches with socialist pastors who are nothing more than Pharisees and Nicolaitans.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004047180339 John Adams

I cannot believe that true Christian can support the democrat party and support liberal causes. They are in direct opposition to God's Holy Word, the Bible. These are the folks to whom God will say, "Depart from me, I never knew you."