One can discuss the varieties of stories at work in Israel by focusing on the major characters (Adam/Eve, Abraham, Moses, etc), events (creation, covenant, exodus, exile), and terms used to put it all together (covenant faithfulness, divine disciplines).
- Here's what I see in what evangelicalism used to be, in the Bebbington years:
God --> The Bible --> Telling people about Jesus to save them from hell
- Here's what I see in what much of evangelicalism has become to one degree or another
(I.e. Christian Nationalism), reflected in du Mez's research:
God as Exclusively/Literally Male --> The Bible + The Constitution (emphasis on the 2nd Amendment) --> Defend the Truth and Freedom of this God-favored nation, violently if necessary
As you mention, this is super broad, with tons of room for nuance and a spectrum of thought/expression, but those are the broad strokes as I see them. Thanks for this piece - this was a fascinating exercise!
Deacon, thanks for this. I've always Concept Maps helpful in getting ideas on the board for nuance later and also for stimulating discussion. I hope others interact and propose others.
Don’t you think that “what evangelicalism has become” is because “what evangelicalism used to be” was only half a step behind in their definition of god and covenant to how you describe Christian nationalism? The flag has always been behind the pulpit. Add a little “take American back for god” rhetoric to Torah and your there.
Another possibility might look something like: God is love. Church as inclusive. Social justice.
In all honesty, I think I would agree with that. I was trying to be diplomatic, but based on my experience, evangelicalism and nationalism were always far more connected than they should have been. It didn't take a massive leap to get where they are...it just took a push (see: Heath Ledger's JOKER in THE DARK KNIGHT...)
Hey, I'm coming from over the pond so maybe that doesn't help too much. But where do you think covenant fits in with Jesus and Paul? Should 'cross' go in second for one of them, for e.g. if we take Phil.2:6-11 as a model of Paul's vision of Jesus or Christlikeness?
Or do you think there are multiple layers of stories all at once? Like...
King -> Kingdom of God -> service
Father -> Cross -> sacrificial love
Just trying to get my head around these categories!
Using the dominant terms an author uses, say Paul or Peter or Hebrews, is wiser than asking each author to speak the language of covenant. So, while it is fashionable for some to say Jesus was a covenant thinker one would be wiser to use kingdom for the Synoptics, Life for John, and for Paul church and redemption terms. There are multiple layers of stories at work, for sure. Cross: I would tie this to both salvation terms and to Christian life categories. I like your lines as they tell important stories in various texts.
Thanks Scot, that's helpful. I think in the UK one set of concepts that have had a long influence would be something like: God -> Church -> Ministry (I mean ministry in the sense of ordination, ekklesial organisation/leadership and religious practices, which latterly has meant meetings/Sunday gatherings attendance at/commitment to programmes etc).
Here my thoughts, such as they are after just woken up, and wanting to respond before the day gets going!
Based on God --> Covenant --> Torah:
- Here's what it looks like at Vintage:
Trinity --> Church as extended family on mission --> Jesus Creed
(NOTE: just for context, so you can see how this gets further mapped out at Vintage, I'm linking you to our "Vision and Values" page: https://vintagelawrence.com/about/vision-values/ )
Based on my past experience, and observations:
- Here's what I see in what evangelicalism used to be, in the Bebbington years:
God --> The Bible --> Telling people about Jesus to save them from hell
- Here's what I see in what much of evangelicalism has become to one degree or another
(I.e. Christian Nationalism), reflected in du Mez's research:
God as Exclusively/Literally Male --> The Bible + The Constitution (emphasis on the 2nd Amendment) --> Defend the Truth and Freedom of this God-favored nation, violently if necessary
As you mention, this is super broad, with tons of room for nuance and a spectrum of thought/expression, but those are the broad strokes as I see them. Thanks for this piece - this was a fascinating exercise!
deacon godsey
Deacon, thanks for this. I've always Concept Maps helpful in getting ideas on the board for nuance later and also for stimulating discussion. I hope others interact and propose others.
BTW, I had thought of putting God-Salvation-evangelism, but putting Bible there is quite the coup of an idea. Something to that.
Don’t you think that “what evangelicalism has become” is because “what evangelicalism used to be” was only half a step behind in their definition of god and covenant to how you describe Christian nationalism? The flag has always been behind the pulpit. Add a little “take American back for god” rhetoric to Torah and your there.
Another possibility might look something like: God is love. Church as inclusive. Social justice.
DMH
In all honesty, I think I would agree with that. I was trying to be diplomatic, but based on my experience, evangelicalism and nationalism were always far more connected than they should have been. It didn't take a massive leap to get where they are...it just took a push (see: Heath Ledger's JOKER in THE DARK KNIGHT...)
What was the push? Off topic so a discussion for another day.
Hey, I'm coming from over the pond so maybe that doesn't help too much. But where do you think covenant fits in with Jesus and Paul? Should 'cross' go in second for one of them, for e.g. if we take Phil.2:6-11 as a model of Paul's vision of Jesus or Christlikeness?
Or do you think there are multiple layers of stories all at once? Like...
King -> Kingdom of God -> service
Father -> Cross -> sacrificial love
Just trying to get my head around these categories!
Using the dominant terms an author uses, say Paul or Peter or Hebrews, is wiser than asking each author to speak the language of covenant. So, while it is fashionable for some to say Jesus was a covenant thinker one would be wiser to use kingdom for the Synoptics, Life for John, and for Paul church and redemption terms. There are multiple layers of stories at work, for sure. Cross: I would tie this to both salvation terms and to Christian life categories. I like your lines as they tell important stories in various texts.
Thanks Scot, that's helpful. I think in the UK one set of concepts that have had a long influence would be something like: God -> Church -> Ministry (I mean ministry in the sense of ordination, ekklesial organisation/leadership and religious practices, which latterly has meant meetings/Sunday gatherings attendance at/commitment to programmes etc).
At the moment (since COVID) there seems to be a growing emphasis in my experience on a different set that could be seen perhaps as
God -> Life (new creation) -> renewing all things
I can see that, too.
King --> Adoption --> Semper Fi