"The Great Awakening" Part 1

Something is stirring in the air. Something is changing in American politics and how Christians perceived and vote for candidates. At least that is the argument put forth by Emergent leader Jim Wallis in his book, "The Great Awakening: Reviving Faith & Politics in a Post-Religious Right America."

Wallis is tired of the left vs. right, liberal vs. conservative mode of politics. Wallis offers something new. This is not, he argues, an attack on either side, however, just from the title, it seems clear that Wallis is most frustrated with the Religious Right. To Wallis, the Religious Right has been married to the Republican Party and pro-capitalism, pro-antigay, pro-life, anti-global warming, and anti-big government for too long. Furthermore, Christians have narrowed the scope of their faith in the political realm by only focusing on homosexuality and abortion. Their are other important issues, Wallis argues, that Christians are ignoring because of this marriage such as poverty, global warming, sexism, peace, and racism.

But things are changing and Wallis seeks to show us were to go next.

I have numerous problems with this book and there is no way I can give an exhaustive list of what I found fallous with this book. However, there are some important things to point out in response to Wallis and his belief that this new movement, away from left and right, is the next Great Awakening.

Wallis considers himself a "Progressive Evangelical" (25) and believes that as more follow his direction, a better society will result.

ANOTHER GREAT AWAKENING?

First and foremost, politics does not bring about a Great Awakening. Wallis concedes this point and does not disagree with it. But Wallis is clear that spiritual revivals have political consequences. I do not disagree with that argument, in fact I agree with it. All one must do is look at the issue of abolition of slavery as a result of one of America's Great Awakenings with ministers such as John Wesley and others clearly opposing the institution.

The problem with Wallis is the notion that this Great Awakening is beginning with politics. Though Wallis would say he disagrees with this assessment, he does not act like it. The far majority of Wallis' books, lectures, sermons, articles, blogs, etc. deal with politics. It seems that Wallis, not the religious right, is obsessed with politics.

Therefore, Wallis is guilty of the same crime he accuses the Religious Right. Even if one disagrees with the Religious Right, one must concede that Wallis is falling for the same trap. He has become too invested in politics and falsely believes that politics is the answer to our problems. Politics helps, but politics and government do not solve our problems.

The gospel saves. The gospel heals. The gospel redeems. The gospel solves. Not politics. Not the President. Not government. Not politicians.

While criticising the Religious Right, Wallis and Progressive Evangelicals are guilty of the same sin. This is nothing short of hypocrisy. Wallis writes: "This will clearly be a book about politics, but is about much more than polities. It will also be a book about theology, moral philosophy and spirituality - because politics can be shaped by all three" (26). If this be the case, then why not write about the gospel and let the political ramifications play out naturally? If Wallis is consistent with his purpose and goal, then politics would be a minor part of his books rather than the far majority.

The first and second Great Awakenings were spiritual revivals that just so happened to have politics ramifications. Jonathan Edwards was concerned with the destination of the individuals soul, not their voting habits. "Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God," had nothing to do with politics, but hell, judgment, sin, grace, the cross, Christ, and the gospel. Likewise, John Wesley and others were primarily concerned with the gospel, not social revolution. That does not mean that these men did not care about slavery or any other issue. They did. But, their conviction regarding sin, Scripture, Christ, the cross, God, His holiness, etc. forced them to preach the gospel and it is the gospel that shaped social action.

Wallis thinks the answer to our problems is spirituality. Americans have always been spiritual and that has not changed. Spirituality does not lead to social change, only the gospel can. So rather than lecture the Religious Right about being too occupied about being too political and then turn around and be too occupied with politics while at the same time confusing the order of politics and the gospel to gain social change is foolish and wrong.

The gospel. The gospel. The gospel. Wallis should really begin there!

UTOPIA ON THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN IS FARCE

Another problem I have with Wallis, Progressive Evangelicals, and similar social movements is the false idea of utopia. Humans will never reach utopia no matter how they vote or who is President. Why? The answer is in the gospel.

The gospel says that man is sinful. Man is evil. Man hates God. Man rebels against God and refuses to obey Him. Sin, anger, hate, envy, pride, etc. are spiritual problems. No one can legislate or ban human nature. We are, by nature, children of wrath (Eph. 2). Man is not, at root, good. Rather, man is evil. That means that unless man is saved from his sins, via the cross and resurrection of Christ will full and obedient repentance and sanctification, society will never look for the common good. Society will never reach utopia. Society will never be fair and equal.

The reason we have racism, sexism, murder, theft, corruption, and the rest is because man is corrupt, not because of ecnomics, their home life or anything else.

That means that as long as we look to a politician, things are only going to get worse. A politicians can only solve poverty but stealing someone else's money. A politician can only end war by winning it. This is why politics and politicians are corrupt. Power corrupts. By putting our trust into politicians, political parties, and political/social movements we only add to the problem rather than solve it because we put all of our trust in them rather than in the gospel.

An example of this Utopian worldview comes in his chapter on war, peace, and "nonviolent realism." I agree with Wallis that war should be avoided at all cost. We disagree about whether or not the War in Iraq was the right decision. Wallis is clearly on the left and believes that Iraq was wrong and unjust. But the solutions he offers for global security are naive. To think that we can come together, hug one another, and solve our differences through a summit are ridiculous (I am being a bit sarcastic here only to drive the point).

Wallis believes that there is a better way to solve our global security problems. He writes:

"The good news is that many voices are calling for change, for a deeper vision of global security and a more holistic view of how to confront the genuine threats in our world - a better way...British prime minister Gordon Brown has clearly linked the struggle for social and economic justice with the battle against terrorism and the pursuit of global security...The struggle against 'global terrorism in a new era of global insecurities' includes 'the battle for the hearts and minds that can and will ensure security and justice for all' (250-251)...Increasing economic interdependence of the world will help to make war less attractive, and even encourage a 'humanitarian' approach." (254)

Notice the utopian worldview? The solution to terrorism is to solve their economic struggles. Clearly Wallis knows nothing of the worldview of the terrorist. Osama bin Laden has no problem with money, and yet he still hates us. Sometimes hate has nothing to do with economics. Oftentimes hate needs no reason.

I wish Wallis would understand the Scriptural teaching of sin before he begins telling us how to vote and for whom to vote for. If Wallis understand human nature, he would quickly realize that this entire book will fail. Spirituality is not the answer. I repeat: the gospel is the solution to our problems. Only the gospel can solve human nature and thus solve our problems.

No matter how hard Wallis tries, his solutions or anyone else's will never work because they do not deal with the sin issue. So rather than run around and lecture to people on how to vote, maybe he should run around and spread the gospel to every living soul on earth as Christ commanded us to do!!!!

Utopia will never be reached this side of heaven. This is why Christians pray, "Come quickly Lord Jesus," because only Jesus will bring justice, end of poverty, end of war, suffering, pain, sickness, and death.

Come quickly Lord Jesus! Come quickly!

CHRISTIANS ARE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT POVERTY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

Thirdly, I am exhaustive at the lie that Emergents, Red Letter Christians, Progressive Evangelicals, and whoever else who say that Christians (by that, they mean the Religious Right) aren't doing anything about poverty. This is simply false.

I have served in ministry for a number of years and have grown up in the church. Every church I have been involved with, for however long, has done much to help the poor and the needy. As pastor, our church is invested in a inter-denominational ministry in the community that helps persons in need with food, clothes, housing, furniture, etc. Where I served as youth pastor we were invested in a similar ministry where we would volunteer our time and energy to help those in need. I have been on mission trips in and out of state and over seas that minister to the physical needs of others.

However, and this is key, we cared more about spiritual needs than physical needs, just as Jesus did. Meeting the needs of others is rooted in our embrace of the cross. Christ gave up everything for us, we must do the same. Therefore we get dirty, we roll up our sleeves, and we do all that we can to help others, but, we do it for the sake of the cross. We make it clear that what drives us to serve is not a politician or a political movement, but the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. A person who meets only physical needs will always have physical needs to meet. But a person who has spiritual needs will find satisfaction in only Jesus Christ.

To say that Christians, that is, the Religious Right, are doing nothing about poverty, racism, environmental issues, etc. is simply false. Most hospitals were started by Christians. Most ministries that help those who are suffering are Christian. If anything, conservative Christianity is doing more for others than any other movement or belief. There is your Great Awakening!

The reason they say this is because the Religious Right isn't doing much politically to solve poverty. The fact that most Christians don't want the government in their lives is not because they don't care about the poor, justice, or peace, but because they believe that it is the responsibility of Christians and society to solve these issues, not government. To many conservative Christians, government will only add to the problem, not solve it.

I am tired of people saying that the Church isn't concerned with poverty and the rest. We are. And we are doing something about it. If only persons like Wallis would open their eyes to reality before writing false accusations about something that he clearly doesn't understand.

Part 2 coming soon.