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    Eight Myths of Evangelicals

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    Myth #5 - The evangelical power centers are located at national institutions such as Wheaton College and Colorado Springs (Focus on the Family).

    Myth #6 - Evangelicals are isolationist in their view of American aid to the world.

    Myth #7 - The more politically active an evangelical is, the more he or she is involved in church life.

    Myth #8 - The main focus of evangelical activism is politics. 

    You can read more here...

    What do you think?  Not to go all political on you, but it appears to me that much of what we have seen as ‘evangelical political activism’ is changing rapidly.  Have your views on the church and politics changed much in recent years?

    Here is a synopsis that Dr. Michael Lindsay says are eight myths of Evangelicals. These mostly have to do with the political aspirations of evangelicals. I'd love to hear your comments on these. Some I think are absolutely true; others I think may be a little off:

    Myth #1 - Evangelicals succeed because of conformity and unity.

    Myth #2 - The 2004 election was the peak of evangelical power.

    Myth #3 - Within the base of U.S. evangelicals, there are certain leaders or king makers who have the ability to influence the entire movement.

    Myth #4 - Younger evangelicals will shift the political alliance of the entire group.

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    1. Andy Wood on Tue, May 20, 2008

      I haven’t done the research, of course, but I generally concur that the items he listed are myths - particularly anything having to do with so-called “Evangelical solidarity.”  That’s laughable.  For both honorable and dishonorable reasons, American Evangelicals are pretty fiercely independent, both in our desire to act on our own interests (ahem, “convictions”) and even more importantly, the extent to which we consider some things important.  Example:  I may agree with Dr. Dobson on some issue, but may not agree with the same level of intensity - OR, may not agree with his solution to the problem.


      As far as my own views changing, I am more aware of issues that appear to have been less important to Evangelicals until recent years.  And I am less confident than ever in the god of government, sent to rescue us from all our woes.

    2. Wendi on Tue, May 20, 2008

      It may be true that many of these are myths, but the power of the political machine is to persuade lawmakers, the media and public opinion that the myths are reality, and I do think they do (or have done) a good job of this. 


      #1 for example.  The evangelical political activists definitely don’t speak for me, but I can’t count the number of times I’ve had to tell someone that I AM NOT unified and aligned with this group. 


      I’m not sure #2 or #8 are really myths.  I hope #2 is true, and #8 is not.


      Wendi

    3. Joe Louthan on Tue, May 20, 2008

      If those are the myths and preconceptions of Evangelicals, then surely we have failed.

    4. Wendi on Tue, May 20, 2008

      Joe -


      I’m wondering which of these 8 myths you feel should be true for us to have succeeded.


      Wendi

    5. IndyChristian on Tue, May 20, 2008

      Good post, and good article to consider… especially now that ‘An Evangelical Manifesto’ is in-play for consideration (or preferably, sent back to committee *wink*).


      Intuitively, I’d suggest that any group that is not monolithic—and ‘evangelicals’ certainly don’t seem to be—will not be particularly impactive in the long-term.  And I think Barna’s research would bear that out—we don’t really SEE transformed lives (much less communities) at that watered-down level.  It’s the very nature of coalitions—tell me of a coalition that has staying-power?


      Alternatively though, those with a ‘biblical worldview’, because they tend to be more monolithic—although without significant aggregate numbers—will continue to have impact, even if only among the larger ‘evangelical’ grouping.  [Btw, Barna demonstrates that these BW’s indeed do reflect transformation of behaviors… albeit never enough.]


      All this to say… perhaps put your money on the long horse that’s gaining on the pack.

    6. Randy Ehle on Tue, May 20, 2008

      I think it’s important to note that, per the original article’s wording, these are “eight myths that are believed about evangelicals” (emphasis mine) - they are not myths that evangelicals necessarily hold onto (i.e., myths ”of” evangelicals). 

      My views of church and politics have definitely changed, especially over the past 5+ years.  Whereas before I believed that one of my main responsibilities as a Christian was to work (by voting, at the very least) toward a political answer to moral issues, I am now almost totally convinced that that is wrong.  That doesn’t mean I shouldn’t vote for individuals or laws that seem to line up with God’s moral will, but it does mean I don’t need to freak out when those issues aren’t codified - or when some court overturns one of them.  I’m also no longer convinced that God is a Republican, or that the GOP is the only political party with morals.  Certainly having a GOP president for 28 of the past 40 years (and 20 of the past 28) hasn’t solved too many of our country’s problems.

       

      I am convinced that God is in control, that ALL authority is given by him, and that he can work through any national leader he chooses, regardless of their relationship to him.  (A read through the prophets demonstrates that quite clearly.)

       

    7. mark on Wed, May 21, 2008

      > “Myth #2 - The 2004 election was the peak of evangelical power. “


      Power?  Is that what Christianity is all about?


      I can imagine Jesus rolling over in his grave at such an attitude if only he was there.


      Church thinking is really on the down hill slide into the cesspool.  Its a real tragedy to watch.

    8. DanielR on Fri, May 23, 2008

      I agree with Randy, I think these are myths believed about Evangelicals by non-Christians. 


      That said, I think there is something to be said for 1,2,3,4 & 8 when it comes to the political influence of Evangelicals as a voting bloc.


      I think Evangelicals are not as unified (politically) as some believe.  I also think one group that believes they are more unified than they really are is those who consider themselves part of the “Evangelical voting bloc”.   I once asked someone who identifies himself as Evangelical why he voted for President Bush; he looked at kind of funny and said, “I’m Evangelical, all evangelicals voted for President Bush.”  I was sorry to let him down and tell him not all of us did. 


      I agree with #2 as far as the GOP being able to count on the Evangelical vote.  I think a lot of younger people are disenchanted with the GOP.  I don’t they’ll so much shift the political alliance as diffuse it (#4).


      #3 – I think there have been some in leadership positions who had a certain amount of influence, but I don’t think they had as much influence as they thought they had.


      And I think #8 is a myth, but only because many Evangelicals are more public and vocal about their politics and not as public and vocal about sharing their faith and evangelism.

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