The label "Evangelical" has fallen into disrepute in recent years and probably for good reasons. Ironically, it is evangelicals who often show it the most contempt. From what I've heard, "evangelical" used to mean a person who took the Bible seriously, tried to do what Jesus says to do, and thought everyone should follow Jesus. In the 19th century evangelicals were the champions of social causes like ending slavery and child labor, and giving women equal rights. Nowadays, "evangelical" implies a host of other things - someone who likes guns, hates gays, votes Republican, and wants to bring prayer back to school (as if it ever left). Evangelical culture has developed a product line full of books, music, movies, clothes, and all the other things that entice the commercially driven and insulate them from the influence of the "world." Most of all, being evangelical implies being conservative, that is, having the orientation that things used to be much better (in America), during some long forgotten epic (the 1950s), and the best thing we can do is reverse the clock and return to those simple days (of racial segregation, misogyny, and the cold war ).
I find myself stuck in the middle. When it comes down to it, I do believe the Bible, as it was originally given, was inspired by God, and should be taken seriously. I also believe the Bible's teachings alone hold the answers to our greatest personal and societal problems. I want everyone to follow Jesus. I see something unique about those who do follow Jesus, that God has done something in them that differentiates them from every other person in the world. I believe any life after this one is only guaranteed to those who know Jesus. That level of exclusivity would lead many to label me an evangelical. So, maybe I am. But on the other hand, I don't fit the cultural mold of an evangelical. I don't always vote the way evangelicals do (and I don't put all that much stock in voting). I believe following Jesus leads me to compassion for the poor, placing the needs of others above my own economic interest. I believe following Jesus leads me to pursue peace for all people, everywhere. I reject the American dream, as it is sold to us, and I reject the idea that I can share my loyalty to the kingdom of God with any earthly nation, even America. I prefer to get input ( books, news, the arts) from a variety of viewpoints, even from those I don't agree with. If I say, "I'm not evangelical," I risk people thinking I don't believe certain things I believe, things we may hold in common. If I say, "I am evangelical," I risk people believing certain things about my behavior and lifestyle that are just not true about me.
Is it possible to just not take a side? What if we left the labels at home and just lived what we believed and let that speak for itself? Maybe we could actually come to the table and talk sensibly about the issues we disagree on if we weren't so caught up in labeling each other. When I write, I usually avoid these loaded terms. We mostly use these terms to sound smart around others, but they have the unintended consequence of putting people in a box, a rigid stereotype that they can't escape. I don't like being put in a box, and I try not to box others in either. I try to just explain things in the simplest terms, regardless of my audience. I find people respond well to that. So for now I am not an evangelical, and I'm not, not an evangelical either. I'm just me. Get to know me; we might have something in common.
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