By Arthur Owiti
As many have said and been saying, the current global changes in politics and economics that both began in America have had and will have a great effect on Christianity worldwide. The changes have humbled the part of the church that relied on mixing Christianity with politics and power but has strengthened the ecumenical movements’ voice.
This is because the foundation of the doctrine of some Evangelical churches shifted to money and politics. Now that those two foundations are subliming evidenced by opposition against conservative policies and ministry closures, the evangelical church is forced to change as the ecumenical church takes center stage.
The ecumenical church is still political in its pursuits but it rejects coming in the name of Christianity alone unlike the evangelical group, but in the name of a united mix of different religious beliefs in the name of peace and harmony.
A look at the two groups, one notices some differences .These differences should not be seen as a whole as such but more or less as a majority view of each body.
Political Evangelical Church Political Ecumenical Church
| Intolerance--Seen as intolerant, rigid, narrow eyed or being fundamentalist or radical especially on morality and religious pluralism | Tolerance --Seen as tolerant, flexible and moderate not pushy on moral issues or sin and other religions |
| Theocratic—Politically desires the kingdom of God to be politically present thus thinks government should be a theocracy direct political involvement by the church | Non-Theocratic—politically desires to be part of government whether it is secular or religious, so long as it keeps its spiritual authority thus indirect political involvement |
| Religious Exclusivity—Only those who adhere to Christianity | Religious Inclusive—any faith can be befriended and join with Christianity |
| Pro- Israel Lobby--Replacement theology influence which leads to zealous political support for political solutions for Israel instead of zealous support for the spiritual solution, Jesus Christ – | Anti- Israel Stance (whether direct or indirect )—Ignore Physical Israel and seek for false man-made peace-sacrifice truth for peace— two state solution |
| Pro-War—War Mongering | Claim to be Anti-War--False Peace-making |
| ‘Values First’—right, morality sought— | ‘Unity First’-love and peace sought-- |
| Use Twisted Scripture ---Few codified theological beliefs thus hold different views based on the bible | Establish Twisted Scripture ---United churches many of which have church constitutions codified theological beliefs and views on Christianity |
| More money than assets in terms of wealth | More assets as money in terms of wealth |
| More individual led ministries or churches | More collective led ministries or churches--denominations |
Political Ecumenism is seen as a very accommodating form of religion for the global world as it is focused on not harming the feelings of others concerning their religions which many defined as love.
On the other hand, Political Evangelical Christianity is seen as divisive and very narrow which cannot match today’s global world that is broad minded and crying for tolerance and peace.
This is due to the cosmopolitan nature of the world which has created a lot of mixture of cultures and sense of looking or common ground and identity. It is this common ground that will shut out Christians who are seen as narrow minded and intolerant to other faiths.
Through inter faith forums, world council of churches, global prayer day and other federations, in the name of peace and unity, religion is seeking to have one voice in all issues. This cannot go well for true Christians who are known for not joining with other non Christian faith; hence such Christians are not a popular outfit for the world’s new approach to society and religion. Hence the reliance on the ecumenical movement that is more ‘friendly’ to the sin sick world as it does not focus on the sin nature of man and the need for Jesus Christ but rather man’s ability to be good or ethical as a sign of righteousness.
However the current fall and hatred for evangelical Christian political stance is a chance for the church to repent and return to the true gospel which is not a politically correct message. Jesus Christ was not politically correct and this made him to be hated by the religious leaders and political leaders like Herod, but the multitudes still followed him. As Christians our goal in this crisis is only to please and serve the Lord Jesus Christ as we mind our own business by separating from the politics of this world in terms of governance and legislation.
Repenting from Using and Establishing Twisted Scripture
Two years ago one friend of mine fresh from theological school told me how at college they were taught that the evangelical church is scant when it comes to ‘doctrine and tradition, unlike the mainline churches especially Catholic church which has libraries of theological writings and firm tradition.
Whereas having such writings might have kept the mainline churches intact, they have made repentance bleak as they have established truth on those writings rather than the word of God. Codification and writing of man made doctrines establishes rebellion. So Evangelical churches today should not fall in that trap of codifying their laws as they would be establishing their rebellion that chases away the Holy Spirit; but however, repent of taking scripture out of context and creating new laws by returning to the truth of gospel and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Maranatha
Arthur Owiti
