I signed the Evangelical Manifesto today. I read it first, in case you’re wondering. And I read the whole thing not just the shortened highlights version.
I didn’t expect to sign it. These kinds of large scale statements tend to have some mileage amongst people like me who have a vested interest and the time to devote to reading a twenty page pdf file. I doubt that most of the people I worked with at Starbucks gave a rip about what an evangelical is, and they’re not going to care tomorrow. They care about how you treat them. Are you a caring person? Are you honest? Are you easy to spend time with? These are the things they care about, not what team I happen to be on.
But as I read it I realized that I agreed with it, and If I agree with a group of people who are asking people to stand with them, and I’m not hurting anyone or dishonouring God, I probably should, and it’s not like it cost me anything.
I do think we need to return to a better way of engaging in public space. This section on the public sphere has Os Guiness’ fingerprints all over it and who wouldn’t jump up to claim this section
“We solemnly pledge that in a world of lies, hype, and spin, where truth is commonly dismissed and words suffer from severe inflation, we make this declaration in words that have been carefully chosen and weighed; words that, under God, we make our bond. People of the Good News, we desire not just to speak the Good News, but to embody and be good news to our world and generation.
Here we stand. Unashamed and assured in our own faith, we reach out to people of all other faiths with love, hope, and humility. With God’s help, we stand ready with you to face the challenges of our time and to work together for a greater human flourishing.
I wish I had written that one. I might have chosen a word other than flourishing. Redemption perhaps?
So what does this manifesto change? Has one heart been changed? Have the hungry been fed, the naked clothed, the sick and imprisoned visited? Have we stepped further into sharing the good news with every people, making disciples and teaching them to obey Jesus’ commands? Are we today better witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and Edmonton and Charlottetown and Nashville and Washington and Sao Paolo? Not really. But I chose today a statement to live up to. I chose to not be identified in reaction to something, or to be motivated by fear or pride. I chose to pledge allegience to a better king and to seek first his kingdom.
Now I just have to do it tomorrow
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