The New York Times on Evangelicals

Finally, a realistic, comprehensive take on the evangelical Christian, articulated by none other than "liberal" Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times.  Whether you consider yourself an evangelical or not, this commentary is a must-read.

In sum, Kristof uses the recent death of "gentle" 90 year-old John Stott, a British Christian writer and pastor, as a launching pad for painting a more holistic view of the evangelical movement. He begins with the overdone stereotypes, i.e. evangelicals are self-righteous, anti-intellectual, and reactionary.  

I know I am not alone in cringing when I hear these judgmental, rash assumptions.  Each of these words hits a heavy blow, first to my pride, and then to my heart.  I know it should never be surprising to walk into verbal persecution, but it leads me to contemplate: Are we really being the people of God that do the work of God if the first words that come to mind in describing the evangelical movement are self-righteous, anti-intellectual, and reactionary?  Something is not right.  Part of the problem is today's scan the page, grab a to-go cup, talk on your Bluetooth at the grocery store type of culture.  Luckily, Kristof doesn't leave it there; he rises above today's common reluctance to peer beneath the surface... of anything... and actually uses observation and facts to put together an informed opinion.  Fancy that.

He says, "Yet that casual dismissal is profoundly unfair of the movement as a whole. It reflects a kind of reverse intolerance, sometimes a reverse bigotry, directed at tens of millions of people who have actually become increasingly engaged in issues of global poverty and justice."

Thank you Nicholas.  Looking beneath the surface of the evangelical front pagers, so to speak, reveals a group of authentic people that simply believe God is who He says He is and tries, although failing often, to do what He said to do.  We're not perfect, and don't claim to be.  That's the point of the Gospel.  But, I don't think it rash to say there is more good in the world because of the God's working through His followers.