Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson And James Dobson: A Dying Breed?
Robert Paul Reyes
December 26, 2006
Respected columnist Cynthia Tucker recently wrote:
For a few decades now, a narrow view of Christianity has dominated the public square; it’s a pinched theology consumed with sexuality but also taking a variety of conservative positions that don’t seem to have much to do with the Gospel. That hard-shell Christianity has as its standard-bearers such men as Jerry Falwell, James Dobson and Pat Robertson.
The good news of this Christmas season is this: Not only have those theocrats seen their political clout erode with Republican losses in the midterm elections,
but their brand of Christianity is also losing its monopoly on the public square.
Ms. Tucker is spot on in her analysis of the state of the modern evangelical movement. Starting with the creation of the Moral Majority in 1979, the evangelical faith has strayed from its New Testament foundation.
Evangelicals and fundamentalists have adopted a religious/political agenda that is anathema to the spirit of the New Testament.
Evangelicals, led by such charlatans as Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell and James Dobson, have neglected the Gospel mandate to minister to the poor, hungry and disenfranchised. Instead they have focused their energies on demonizing gays, trying to outlaw abortion and preaching against evolution.
Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity, had nothing to say about homosexuality, abortion or evolution. But he has plenty to say about reaching out to social outcasts and ministering to the poor.
Were Jesus Christ alive today, he would not recognize evangelical leaders as his followers. He would think that evangelicals’ buffoonery and myopic obsession with sexuality was evidence of Baal worship.
Evangelicals have given Christianity a black eye that has turned millions away from the centuries old faith. Unfortunately, most people equate Christianity with homophobia, misogyny and intolerance.
But not all Christian sects are as evil, intolerant and unchristlike as the evangelicals. Recently we saw an example of true Christianity in the incredible Christlike forgiveness of the Amish.
But there is a new generation of evangelical leaders who have rejected this Gospel of divisivness.
The most most noteworthy example is Rick Warren, who is emphasizing feeding the hungry, saving the planet from global warming and finding a cure for AIDS. Warren has proven that evangelicals can live a purpose-driven life without ostracizing gays, demeaning women and ignoring the poor.
The progressive agenda of Rick Warren more closely resembles New Testament values. Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and James Dodson are dinosaurs who will soon die; I hope that they will be replaced by 21st century Christians like Sen. Barack Obama and Pastor Rick Warren.
For a few decades now, a narrow view of Christianity has dominated the public square; it’s a pinched theology consumed with sexuality but also taking a variety of conservative positions that don’t seem to have much to do with the Gospel. That hard-shell Christianity has as its standard-bearers such men as Jerry Falwell, James Dobson and Pat Robertson.
The good news of this Christmas season is this: Not only have those theocrats seen their political clout erode with Republican losses in the midterm elections,
but their brand of Christianity is also losing its monopoly on the public square.
Ms. Tucker is spot on in her analysis of the state of the modern evangelical movement. Starting with the creation of the Moral Majority in 1979, the evangelical faith has strayed from its New Testament foundation.
Evangelicals and fundamentalists have adopted a religious/political agenda that is anathema to the spirit of the New Testament.
Evangelicals, led by such charlatans as Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell and James Dobson, have neglected the Gospel mandate to minister to the poor, hungry and disenfranchised. Instead they have focused their energies on demonizing gays, trying to outlaw abortion and preaching against evolution.
Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity, had nothing to say about homosexuality, abortion or evolution. But he has plenty to say about reaching out to social outcasts and ministering to the poor.
Were Jesus Christ alive today, he would not recognize evangelical leaders as his followers. He would think that evangelicals’ buffoonery and myopic obsession with sexuality was evidence of Baal worship.
Evangelicals have given Christianity a black eye that has turned millions away from the centuries old faith. Unfortunately, most people equate Christianity with homophobia, misogyny and intolerance.
But not all Christian sects are as evil, intolerant and unchristlike as the evangelicals. Recently we saw an example of true Christianity in the incredible Christlike forgiveness of the Amish.
But there is a new generation of evangelical leaders who have rejected this Gospel of divisivness.
The most most noteworthy example is Rick Warren, who is emphasizing feeding the hungry, saving the planet from global warming and finding a cure for AIDS. Warren has proven that evangelicals can live a purpose-driven life without ostracizing gays, demeaning women and ignoring the poor.
The progressive agenda of Rick Warren more closely resembles New Testament values. Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and James Dodson are dinosaurs who will soon die; I hope that they will be replaced by 21st century Christians like Sen. Barack Obama and Pastor Rick Warren.
Print
Email
