Posted on 08/17/2013 6:46:43 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
A fascinating interview in the Wall Street Journal with Russell Moore, the incoming president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. This influential position was held previously by Richard Land, who became a well known face on the cable nets and Sunday shows.
Moore says, in essence, that the culture war has been lost:
‘The Bible Belt is collapsing,” says Russell Moore. Oddly, the incoming president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission doesn’t seem upset. In a recent visit to The Wall Street Journal, Mr. Moore explains that he thinks the Bible Belt’s decline may be “bad for America, but it’s good for the church.”
Why? Because “we are no longer the moral majority. We are a prophetic minority.”
The phrase is arresting coming from such a prominent religious leader—akin to a general who says the Army has shrunk to the point it can no longer fight two wars. A youthful 41, Mr. Moore is among the leaders of a new generation who think that evangelicals need to recognize that their values no longer define mainstream American culture the way they did 50 or even 20 years ago.
On gay marriage, abortion, even on basic religious affiliation, the culture has moved away. So evangelicals need a new way of thinking—a new strategy, if you will—to attract and keep believers, as well as to influence American politics.
The easy days of mobilizing a ready-made majority are gone. By “prophetic minority,” he means that Christians must return to the days when they were a moral example and vanguard—defenders of belief in a larger unbelieving culture. He views this less as a defeat than as an opportunity.
[...]
He is definitely pushing a new tone for this generation of evangelicals. “This is the end of ‘slouching toward Gomorrah,’ ” he says. Not only is the doomsaying not winning Christians any popularity contests, but he doesn’t think it’s religiously appropriate either. “We were never promised that the culture would embrace us.”
He also questions the political approach of what was once called “the religious right.” Though his boyish looks bring to mind the former Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed, Mr. Moore is decidedly not a fan of the “values voter checklists” the group employs. “There is no Christian position on the line-item veto,” Mr. Moore says. “There is no Christian position on the balanced-budget amendment.”
Which is not to say that Mr. Moore wants evangelicals to “turn inward” and reject the larger U.S. culture. Rather, he wants to refocus the movement on serving as a religious example battling in the public square on “three core issues”—life, marriage and religious liberty.
Politically, the evangelical right isn’t going anywhere. They will still play a large role in Republican party politics, and will still be indispensable to the campaigns of dozens of Republicans in many districts.
But to a secularist like me, Mr. Moore’s words sound like a welcome dose of pragmatism. Achieve what is doable, accept the world not for what you would have it be, but for what it is. This is not to say that there shouldn’t be an effort — a war, if you will — to fight on many issues. But perhaps the battles will be fought on a different kind of battlefield — one where moral authority is gleaned not from numbers or political power, but from the light of example.
Read the whole interview for some fascinating insights.
We got overrun with furriners, poor economy and tyrannical leadership. But we’re still here.
Christians were never more powerful than when willing to die for their faith in the coliseum.
I personally have proof (you must find your own proof) that God is right here with me.
We were told that a time would come for martyrdom. Let's go get ours.
Personally, I like the idea of lions' teeth sinking into my flesh and bones...if it is done as evidence of my/our faith in Him.
Yes, the Culture War has been lost. Like a snowball running downhill for the past 50 years. No politics, nor politician, nor Republican party can save us. Whereas the Republican Party is the only cultural force outside of Christianity that opposes this cultural tide. Unfortunately, it can be said for both the Republican Party and the orthodox Christian and Catholic churches is that they have served as an ineffectual doorstop against a door that is intending to swing wide open. And we are looking at nearly swung wide open right now!
Like the 1st century through 3rd century Rome ....there will be martyrs.
We’re winning on abortion, slowly but steadily, which is probably more important as an issue than gay “marriage”. Seems like the wrong time to throw in the towel to me.
Sounds like another good reason to give safe haven to the Copts of Egypt. They aren’t southern Baptists but they are devout Christians.
How blessed we are to have been born in the Bible Belt. When you think about it long and hard...it makes perfect sense. Those outside the Bible Belt reject the Lord (not all...just some).
How lucky we are to live inside the Bible Belt and feel its warmth.
“bad for America, but it’s good for the church”
This seems pervasive today.
Ive often wondered what it was like to live in Germany or Japan in 1945.
It seems to me they, like many in the US, have ceded defeat.. its only the terms of surrender that need negotiation.
Personally I will never accept indifference and willful ignorance over pride in the greatest country mankind has managed to create, with generous help from above.
I will never capitulate say whats best for me me is bad for America..
Exactly! A willingness to go go prison or die for the faith will cluster, confound and defeat metroosexuals.
I sound pretty cynical, don't I?
“he wants to refocus the movement on serving as a religious example battling in the public square on “three core issues”—life, marriage and religious liberty.”
Fantastic article. He got my attention!
We’re winning on abortion which towers above issues like gay marriage that don’t have its moral importance. Abortion is the left’s sacrament and we’re winning. We are in the left’s sanctuary, overturning it idols. Now is the wrong time to give up.
I went to these money grubbing
“churches “ for 55 years. When babies were being slaughtered— they said nothing. When sexual perversion , an “abomination to God” ran rampant ,they sang hymns or “praise and worship” but they said nothing.( it would hurt collections). They are worthless institutions in the eyes of God. They mean nothing.
“Rather, he wants to refocus the movement on serving as a religious example battling in the public square on “three core issues”—life, marriage and religious liberty.”
There’s another article floating around here on FR about the homosexual agenda to destroy religion. Looks like this new guy at the SBC is preparing for that battle.
http://www.amazon.com/Bad-Religion-Became-Nation-Heretics/dp/143917833X
Read the book if you want to understand.
One + God is always a majority.
Lost? seems we’ve been hearing that since Noah landed his boat on the shore.
we actually arent winning, but hearts and minds are shifting in our favor....maybe temporarily, maybe a short lived blip, maybe something better.
As to your comment about me giving up?
You sure do read alot into a few of my compact sentences and incorrectly.
Amen, say it again, Rooster!
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