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Heresy of Evangelical Christians?
Most of my adult life I’ve been keenly aware of how the evangelical community has defended the Jews and Israel; I realize that this feeling is shared by many other Christian communities, but since the evangelical churches are under attack by their Progressive Christian brethren, I’m calling attention to them.
Signatories of the Boston Declaration covered in sackcloth and ashes. (Courtesy of Susan Thistlethwaite)
Recently I learned about one of the most blatant modern attacks on Christians by westerners that I’ve heard of, and I felt compelled to speak out.
Let me say first that I realize that every religion has had its internal conflicts; some of them have been deadly; others have simply been ugly; and still others have been encouraged by governments and politics. This latest struggle has been created by a group of Christian pastors and academics. They are attacking evangelicals as heretics, by distorting the beliefs and values of their co-religionists in a way that I believe is unconscionable and evil.
I heard about this organization when I was driving in the car, where I sometimes listen to NPR. The station was promoting a program called “The Three Wise Guys”—hosted by an imam, pastor, and a rabbi. Needless to say, they are all progressive. They were promoting an upcoming guest, the Reverend Doctor Sylvia Thistlethwaite, who would be on the program December 26. Since it has already aired, you can listen to the program here. She spoke about a major meeting, following the creation by two dozen people * of a document called The Boston Declaration; this is the opening of the declaration:
As followers of Jesus, the Jewish prophet for justice whose life reminds us to, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ (Mark 12:31) we hear the cries of women and men speaking out about sexual abuse at the hands of leaders in power and we are outraged. We are outraged by the current trends in Evangelicalism and other expressions of Christianity driven by white supremacy, often enacted through white privilege and the normalizing of oppression. Confessing racism as the United States’ original and ongoing sin, we commit ourselves to following Jesus on the road of costly discipleship to seek shalom justice for the least, the lost, and the left out. We declare that following Jesus today means fighting poverty, economic exploitation, racism, sexism, and all forms of oppression from the deepest wells of our faith.
They formally introduced this document in Boston, MA:
The action by Christian theologians, who are grieving over the corruption of U.S. Christianity, took place outside a meeting in Boston, Mass., of the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Biblical Literature, the largest annual gathering of religious scholars and leaders in the U.S. In conjunction with the physical demonstration, the group of faith leaders and theologians launched The Boston Declaration at the Old South Church at 12:30 pm on Monday, November 20th. That church, established in 1669 and considered the “mother church” of Congregationalism in America, played a significant role in the American Revolution. From it, in 1773, Samuel Adams gave the signal that started the Boston Tea Party.
I was outraged by this statement. These Christians not only attacked evangelicals, but they tried to draw an association between their group and the American Revolution. They also tried to show a connection between the Barmen Declaration of 1934 when Christian theologians took a stand against Adolph Hitler’s control of the church. The inference was clearly intended to show a connection between today’s evangelicals and the Nazis.
They make no secret of the fact that their agenda is a political one:
‘We’re trying not to be dramatic,’ said Rev. Dr. Susan Thistlethwaite, teacher at the Chicago Theological Seminary and a spokesperson for the Declaration in an interview with People’s World, ‘but to bring some kind of repentance for conservative Christianity which has been hijacked by political hacks.’
Members of this group have committed to “interrogate” Democratic and Republican 2018 candidates regarding their concerns.
If you look at the Boston Declaration, you will find every Progressive issue listed, supposedly demonstrated by evangelicals: racism, sexism, empire building, homophobia, white supremacy and Islamaphobia, for starters. Ironically they criticize anti-Semitism while “standing with the plight for human rights with our Palestinian brothers and sisters.” Since they are essentially attacking any conservative Christian, whether the person considers himself or herself evangelical, all conservative Christians are targeted, and by extension, so are all conservatives.
I find this entire movement so detestable and hateful that I want my evangelical friends and Christians of any kind to know that this Jew cares about you, and I believe my statement applies to many others at Ricochet, whether they are religious or not.
What do you think of this group and the accusations they are making?
Published in Religion & Philosophy
I so wish I could–just for you, Kent! But when I react with outrage and disappointment, I figure all of you should have to suffer, too. Knowing that we are suffering together is very comforting.
Witch hunts might make a comeback.
The same document that condemns “expressions of Christianity driven by white supremacy, often enacted through white privilege and the normalizing of oppression” is defended by the spokeswoman who says they want “to bring some kind of repentance for conservative Christianity which has been hijacked by political hacks.”
The hijacked group are in that photo.
Unfortunately, this isn’t going away and I don’t believe it is irrelevant. As they stand with the leaders of the Palestinians (they must, given their statement) they are playing a part in the war on Christians in the middle east, if not the rest of the world – including here in the United States, of course. I am very angry about this. Full Size Tabby put it very well about them: “We must love everyone, but if you don’t agree with us, we hate you.”
They could only be whiter if they weren’t wearing ashes on their faces, I noticed. Sad.
I listen to NPR when I can’t handle whatever is on talk radio. Then again, it’s important to know what the “other side” is saying, Bathos. But I get your point. I do agree that some evangelical leaders bring this on themselves by promoting their positions. I completely disagree with any religious leader talking politics in any setting, publicly or in their institutions. But that’s just me.
They also infiltrate your church with this questionable dogma, so knowing of its existence shouldn’t be greeted with dismissal, but watchfulness. This exists. Be on guard to protect the teachings of your church.
If the southern evangelicals were as racist as these people claim, they would not have become the heart of the Protestant pro-life movement.
I had exactly the same reaction! Not dramatic!?
Excellent point, Barbara. They made it clear that they were on the side of the Palestinians.
That is what audiobooks are for. let me introduce you to librivox.org. Free.
Seawriter
This is just another reason why churches should be politics-free. I think all should be concerned as you are, Stina.
I’ll look into this, Seawriter. Can’t beat the price! ;-)
Paul warns the church to test the teachings they receive against the scriptures. It is something we should always be mindful of – questionable theology can enter the church in many ways, but it only gains traction in a sleeping congregation.
Whether or not I agree with him on every point, I admire his stance on many things and believe him to be a man of character and genuine faith. Russell Moore is the real deal.
This year I came across Star Parker and her organization CURE. Very impressive Judeo-Christian conservative woman who speaks from experience about the impact on black poverty of progressive ideology like these Boston Declaration people put forward.
Thanks, and back atcha.
Frankly–you had me at Thistlethwaite who may have been nuts before her ordination when nobody had ever heard of her, but certainly has widely displayed her brand of “wacky” and her skewed view of Christ and His followers ever since she donned a too-tight collar. ‘Nuff said.
To be fair – I see three who are black and two who are Asian-descent (is that an acceptable term these days?). One who looks like his parents might be from somewhere in/near India.
Wow Susan – this is a new one on me! As time permits, I want to read through more closely and the links. I cannot say I’m surprised. Many supposedly “traditional” denominations signed some sort of declaration joining in the boycotting of Israeli goods like the Church of Christ and the Methodists. I was shocked by this hypocrisy, but it’s a sign of our times. The leader of this group in your story sounds like a mouthpiece from Hillary’s camp:
https://nypost.com/2016/10/15/hillary-clintons-war-on-faith/
These people don’t speak for me or the Christians I know. I’m going to send that lady a letter. Also don’t forget where this group made their announcement (sorry friends in MA – I lived there and loved it, but the mindset is very liberal). Maybe our Rico friends in MA can do some sleuthing – maybe attend some of these gatherings, challenge their outlook and report back? We’ll bail you out….
Geez…don’t they know that you wear your sack-cloth against your skin in lieu of your normal attire – some sign of penitence and grief on their part, poseurs!
That being said, I’ve heard a lot of garbage motivated by politics from the conservative side of the theological spectrum in the last 12 months, albeit mostly, but not exclusively, from the laity.
There are times it is good to close up our political commentary and just read the Gospels.
Susan. Detestable. Hateful. And finally – Terrifying.
The left has so successfully divided us that it seems there is no longer any consensus about “American goodness” – the bedrock upon which, finally, no matter your politics – we all agreed and proudly stood.
” A nation divided against itself . . . . “
Jesus said nothing at all about temporal power. Render unto Caesar, agree with thine adversary quickly, and be compassionate to people right in front of you ( the “cup of water”). That’s it. He was completely dismissive of human misery in the abstract: “The poor ye have always with you.” His kingdom was “within you “, “not of this world”. The disciples obviously believed they were living in the End Times. They were itinerant begging preachers. A-political.
Except for one thing: the status of the Children of Israel. In the episode with the Syrian woman, Jesus contemptuously refers to Gentiles as “dogs”– a status the woman gratefully accepts as long as she, like a dog, may eat the beloved children’s crumbs that have fallen from the table.
So, if you purport to be a Christian, then you must love, revere and support Israel. Who will not, is none.
I’m skeptical enough to think they were recruited to “add diversity” to their numbers.
Remember when it was the more conservative evangelicals who were perceived as “Holier-Than-Thou?” Good times. Good times.
I was trying to see, also, whether they were wearing designer tennis shoes.
I hope people don’t condemn the entire state of Massachusetts on the basis of what this small group of people are espousing.
I point to the election of a Republican Mormon conservative for governor as proof that we host a great many points of view here. :) I laughed when Mitt ran against Obama. It would be more likely that a black would be voted into that office than a Mormon! Given the prejudice against Mormons, the election of a Mormon to the presidency really would have been news! :)
There’s actually a relatively healthy diversity of opinion here.
Thanks. It’s too late here for me to write the response this deserves, this dangerous [fill in vacuous leftwing insults ending with the suffixes -phobe and -ist] Jew-loving Christian Zionist will get back t o you tomorrow. Ha Kodesch baruch hu.
There is one guy who is not wearing ashes. They need to drum him out of the Pretentious Corps.
Kent
This Boston declaration sounds like warmed-over “Liberation Theology,” except maybe with the twist of being hatched outside of a third world zone. So, they are basically defining traditional Christians as new outsiders (by repenting for their existence), in a kind of exorcism. Oakkkaaay…meaning they become the “new norm,” meaning sympathizers with the banned will be marked for the same treatment until the newly anointed views have completed a take-over, based on magical thinking. Such things appear from time to time and usually just result in a new schism. Did they think they could repeal the lessons of history too?
I am always encouraged by the Apostle Paul’s words to the Church in Rome, when he wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Rom. 1:16) (I added the italics.)
The Jewish faith is the root from which the vine of Christ grew. How any of the Christian faith can turn their back upon the Jewish nation and the State of Israel is a mystery to me.
Thanks for the prayer, Hartmann. I will look for your comment after Shabbos.
” . . . a sorry lot of tedious, self-aggrandizing speedbumps . . .” – (very good!)
30 some years ago I started going to a Unitarian Church in Utica NY with the thought that (1) I ought to be going to church after all, and (2) that I might meet a young lady at church. That picture in the OP almost perfectly captures the congregation as does your description. I went a few times, and the pastor kindly introduced me to a “young lady” that he knew was also in the Air Force. It was nice of him to do that, but once my future wife and I compared notes neither of us ever had any interest going back to the Unitarian Church in Utica NY. It really was a hoot watching those sad sacks carry on, but I was nicer back then so I didn’t laugh out loud.