As we continue to plunge headlong into the election season, you can hear the term “evangelical” roll off the tounge of newsmen and pundits. Newt Gingrich, running for the Republican nomination to Presidency, was said to have pulled off his victory in South Carolina’s primary election last week thanks to a groundswell of “evangelical voters.”

Evangelical. What does that mean? It has become quite the buzz word. Lots of people think it means protestant (i.e., Christian, but not Catholic). Others identify “evangelicals” with the “Christian Right” – a political base that addresses platform issues through the application of Christian faith. Springboarding from that definition, it is clear that being “evangelical” means you are pro-life, anti-same sex marriage, and all about school prayer.

But what if you aren’t any of those things? Maybe you believe in some of those ideas, but not all? Can you still be confident that you are truly evangelical in your faith walk? Some would say yes, many would say no.

To be evangelical is to have (1) recognized Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior over you. (2) To uphold the Bible as the #1 authority on all matters in life. (3) To share and exemplify the gospel. There are other derivatives and variations of this basic formula, but these three points summarize the roots of evangelicalism.

So, how do all the social issues muddy the water? Biblical authority. Plain and simple. Because we all know and understand that the canon of books assembled into the Bible have been interpreted and re-interpreted hundreds of times. The original scriptures were written in greek, aramaic, hebrew, and in ancient forms and dialects. Now we have the “New American Standard Version,” the “New King James Version,” the “New Life,” “New Living,” and “The Message” translations…just to name a few. How are Christians to be sure that we really know what God’s word says?

Valley Christian Church, where our family has been attending church, has a very realistic approach on the matter: “In areas where the New Testament does not give us a direct command or clear precedent, we believe individual believers are called to search the Scriptures, pray for direction, and follow their own consciences before God (Romans 14).”

Is this an evangelical approach? I say yes. Many denominations however, by a matter of their own polity (or,  governance, if you will), would disagree. You see, under denominational faith, scripture is pre-designated in intent, definition, and interpretation by denominational doctrine. Members of denominational churches (and some non-denominational) are expected to uphold the doctrine they are taught and told.

The denominational approach is inherently flawed. Lutherans, Catholics, Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists…they all have their own specialization of the Christian faith. The lines of distinction are clear. Have you ever felt you were judged   by what denomination you were a member of? Does your denominational doctrine imply judgement over others?

What ever happened to just doing what Jesus wanted us to do? Follow Him. Obey God’s commands. Love your neighbor.

God taught us to “love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18) When a religious scholar asked Jesus how to define “neighbor” in this command, Jesus answered with the parable of the “Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:25-37). In that parable, Jesus teaches that one who shows mercy upon another – unconditional mercy and love – can be called “neighbor.” Hand-in-hand with the “Golden Rule” of Luke 6:31, Jesus taught us that there are no boundaries to the command. So why do we draw denominational lines between believers?

Enter the Restoration Movement. Since the early 1800′s, believers who no longer desired to be distracted from true faith by denominational differences have created “Christian” churches. Non-denominational, unaffiliated, and completely focused on “restoring” the original Christian church (as described by the first couple chapters of Acts), the movement lives on today. Valley Christian Church is simply what it’s name says: a Christian church. Denominationally independent and theologically committed to Biblical teaching and practice. Merely Christian.

Now, back to evangelicalism. Much like the divisiveness that denominational differences have caused for so many Christians, I feel what is being heralded as “evangelism” is doing the same thing. Pick your topic – abortion, homosexuality, marriage, guns, school prayer. Where do you stand? Does it mean you love Jesus less? More importantly does it mean that He loves you less? Some “evangelicals” want you to think that, so that you will repent.

I want to know what Jesus wants. I want to seek His will. My socio-political stance doesn’t define me as much as my commitment to Christ does. If I am fully committed to Christ, just as the early church was back around 30 AD, then I know the right decisions will be made. I know my conscience will be clear. I know how I will be defined.

This is my confession – my post-evangelical admission.

O God, you are holy! You occupy every place, every space, and your presence has no boundary. Thank you, God, for giving men free will – for allowing us to seek you, as you would have us do! I pray that you will help me remember that the Church is YOUR Church. Inspire me, Lord, to walk in my faith, with you, in a way that cannot be defined or named, but rather exemplified and honored by the actions of Your will. Thank you for your everlasting Love. Through Christ I pray, Amen!