Posted on 02/04/2005 7:57:58 PM PST by Mr. Silverback
Note: This commentary was delivered by Prison Fellowship President Mark Earley.
Since the 2004 election, the American media are trying to understand religions role in the lives of Americans. Its a difficult task for them because, as CNNs William Schneider once put it, the press . . . just doesnt get religion.
A recent high-profile attempt to get religion is the new issue of Time magazine. In it, Time identifies what it calls the 25 most influential evangelicals in America. These are people whose influence, in Times estimation, is on the rise or who have carved out a singular role.
This kind of recognition is, if we are honest, gratifyingnot only to the people named in the article, but also to every Christian. But Schneider is right: The press doesnt get religion, starting with how the press views what it means to be an influential Christian.
Judging by its profile of people like Rick Warren, Roberta and Howard Ahmanson, and Chuck Colson, for Time, influence is simply synonymous with power. The chief criterion for Time for inclusion on the list seems to be whether politicians will take your phone call.
Even people like Rick Warren and Billy Graham arent cited, as they should be, for their impact on peoples lives. Instead, their ministries become means to a political end, as Time sees it. Thus, in Times view, Warren makes the list because fifteen senators from both parties sought his advice. Likewise, while Grahams general reluctance in political matters was noted, Time also pointed out that Graham has had the ear of presidents for five decades.
Anyone who has read the Gospels will know that Time has it exactly backwards. Service and humilitydying to selfnot power are what matters in the kingdom of God. A Christians true influence is measured in the lives he touches, not in the legislation he gets passed. And, indeed, thats why the list of twenty-five is influentialnot because of their political influence.
The person I know the best on Times 25 Most Influential list is Chuck Colson. While it would be disingenuous to deny Chucks status or influence within the Christian world, this so-called power is nothing compared to the kind of power he once exercised. Today, Chuck may be able to, as Time put it, get a bandwagon moving, but not so long ago, he didnt need a bandwagon to get things done. He did it through the power of the Oval Office in the White House.
Yet, it wasnt until he lost that power, what most people would call real power, that Chuck began to make a real difference and exercise the only kind of influence that really matters. Prison Fellowship is possible only because its founder, Chuck Colson, was forced to personally identify with those people who hold a special place in Gods heart: prisoners and their families.
The pursuit of political power prompted the old Chuck to demonize offenders; the desire to wield godly influence prompted the reborn and rehabilitated Chuck to make their fate his primary concern for the sake of the Gospel.
Christians need to keep this contrast between power and godly influence in mind. My concern with the Time article isnt that the magazine presumes to tell Christians who our leaders are. It picked some great folks. My concern is that we may accept Times criteria for why they have influence and, thus, allow the larger culture to define us. Remember, the press doesnt get religion. It would be a shame if we didnt, either.
BreakPoint/Chuck Colson Ping!
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"Anyone who has read the Gospels will know that Time has it exactly backwards. Service and humilitydying to selfnot power are what matters in the kingdom of God. A Christians true influence is measured in the lives he touches, not in the legislation he gets passed. And, indeed, thats why the list of twenty-five is influentialnot because of their political influence. "
Now I see why Chuck Colson was a bit taken aback by the current situation. Being named among the 25 most powerful Evangelicals by none other than TIME Magazine can't be a very comfortable business.
I don't worry about him. I believe he has already dealt with the temptations of power.
They're probably hoping to make him into a boogeyman. If I were him, I take it as "I'm scaring the bejeezus out of East Coast libs who loath Christianity, so I'm doing a good job."
Ya did mean avid, didn't cha?
( Altho, I must confess, "avoid Christian" fits well for a lot of Christians I know! )
IIRC, Ambrose Bierce defined Christians as one who followed the teachings of Christ, insofar as it was consistent with a life of sin...
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