To quote Alexander Hamilton, “What I’m gonna say may sound indelicate.” Fact: American evangelicalism is now endemically tribalized and therefore trivialized by its political partisanship. But why do I care and why don’t I mind my own beeswax? Well, for a few reasons.
Heading to a conference next month that hopes to gather 'exiles' to talk about some very polarizing topics ...and yes I see it. Pray as I meet my pastor tomorrow - in our church vote for anyone but #45 is almost blasphemous.
I love the ", the future of American Christianity is far too important to entrust exclusively to Americans.". Most don't know anyone from other cultures, countries...and agree more with a questionable news source than a brother in Christ in India, China or 'gasp' Australia. :)
I recently read an article in which David Bentley Hart says, "Christianity never succeeded in America. Most Americans think of themselves as Christians. But the only religion in America that ever flourished was America." I tend to agree. The problem with American Evangelicalism is that, at least in certain locales, it may have ceased to be Christianity at all, making any discussion of its witness to the Gospel a moot point.
As a pastor in the US, I really resonate and appreciate this post, Dr. Bird. The notion that a tribalized Christianity communicates a trivialized Christ is a particularly clarifying thought that I will be mulling over for a while. Thank you, sir.
"First, the best and the worst of the US evangelicalism migrates to Australia, the UK, Singapore, and the other Anglophone countries."
It's not just the Anglophone countries. We here in western Europe are steeped in US pop culture through music, movies, netflix and so on, but we also get the Trumpism and the theology. We even have our own TGC chapter here in The Netherlands! Their website contains translated stuff from TGC but also some original material written in Dutch. I'm not out to vilify these people by the way, just pointing out that the influence of US evangelicalism isn't limited to the Anglophone world. Hence, I fully agree with you: 'the future of American Christianity is far too important to entrust exclusively to Americans'!
Thanks Mike, obviously you have a big role here! I like your list of what's needed, However, as an Australian, is there any hope that Australian evangelicals can develop their own perspective on this, rather than follow every up and down on the USA scene which is SO different?
I think our major problem here sums up all these issues, namely over-clericalisation, closely related to ego-driven ministry. It's almost happily distracting to argue about gender equality, homosexuality etc without seeing it under the big picture of church structures and hierarchy. Most evangelical churches in Australia exist within mainstream denominations, including Pentecostalism. This is where white-male-dominated over-clericalised culture begins, is managed or maybe even challenged or else we all settle back into a kind of Stockholm Syndrome.
Michael, thank you for your words. I would say that there are a number of evangelical leaders trying to be a voice of reason to the evangelical world. I lead a weekly podcast and write a blog on Patheos that are devoted to the Scriptures and helping evangelicals through the quagmire. we will be interviewing Lisa Sharon Harper for our podcast soon. We would love to have you on as well! (contact me on FB (Rob Dalrymple-we are friends). I have 33 years experience at the college, seminary, and local church levels and have had to fight the disillusionment of my evangelical past myself. It has not been easy. We have started a new network (NEME: Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East) trying to help evangelicals understand the Middle east. We have begun a new study session at IBR on Scripture, Hermeneutics, and the Middle East in which zionist and non-zionist scholars are gathering to have conversations in a way that edifies the body. We would love to host you on our podcast. I have lost too many to the pit of evangelicalism and now we are trying to rescue as many as we can before the ship goes down
I appreciate this email, and I have similar frustrations. I work for an apologetics and worldview ministry. All of the data suggests that the biggest problems with the Church in America are rooted in things like biblical knowledge, faithfulness in church attendance, and young people leaving the church. I think this indicates a lack of understanding of and faithfulness to Jesus. The mindset of many here in the U. S. is that if we could get the right President and pass the right laws, then all our problems would be fixed. When I point out that politics cannot solve this problem cannot be fixed by politics I am usually dismissed. I am accused of drinking the liberal cool aid, or not being faithful, or being a liberal.
American evangelicalism needs to be decentered. Indeed, we are one the margins of Christianity with the centre being in the Majority World. Humility would become us. That’s the start of hope.
I wonder if you might have challenged Aussie evangelicals to carefully nurture an indigenous version of evangelicalism rather than being fatalistic about negative American influence?
Helen Paynter, UK Baptist minister and director of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence. Wholly agree, and would love to try to be part of the solution. Do get in touch if you think we can. paynterh@bristol-baptist.ac.uk
Helen Paynter, Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence. Wholly agree, and would love to try be part of the solution. Do get in touch paynterh@bristol-baptist.ac.uk
Paul Marshall has an interesting article in the Pi Day (3/14) edition of "Religion Unplugged" noting that people like Brooks and Wehner are more talking "about" the people on "my side," so to speak, than talking *with* us, essentially "othering" us, even if not intentionally.
Thank you for this article! I recently moved back to US from serving in South and Southeast Asia, and I have been so disheartened by what I read and see among churches here. Genuine sadness that's moved toward deep frustration. There are bright spots, to be sure, but the overall climate is rough.
It would be terrific if some of the organizations and schools you have in mind would invite you to debate/discuss these issues. Charles Barkley would be proud of you as would Peter Vardy who said, "It takes courage to speak truth to your enemies, but it takes more courage to speak truth to your friends."
Heading to a conference next month that hopes to gather 'exiles' to talk about some very polarizing topics ...and yes I see it. Pray as I meet my pastor tomorrow - in our church vote for anyone but #45 is almost blasphemous.
I love the ", the future of American Christianity is far too important to entrust exclusively to Americans.". Most don't know anyone from other cultures, countries...and agree more with a questionable news source than a brother in Christ in India, China or 'gasp' Australia. :)
Wise words..
This was so good... thank you. EXACTLY what my wife and I tried to tell our former church. Exactly where my heart is.
I recently read an article in which David Bentley Hart says, "Christianity never succeeded in America. Most Americans think of themselves as Christians. But the only religion in America that ever flourished was America." I tend to agree. The problem with American Evangelicalism is that, at least in certain locales, it may have ceased to be Christianity at all, making any discussion of its witness to the Gospel a moot point.
As a pastor in the US, I really resonate and appreciate this post, Dr. Bird. The notion that a tribalized Christianity communicates a trivialized Christ is a particularly clarifying thought that I will be mulling over for a while. Thank you, sir.
"First, the best and the worst of the US evangelicalism migrates to Australia, the UK, Singapore, and the other Anglophone countries."
It's not just the Anglophone countries. We here in western Europe are steeped in US pop culture through music, movies, netflix and so on, but we also get the Trumpism and the theology. We even have our own TGC chapter here in The Netherlands! Their website contains translated stuff from TGC but also some original material written in Dutch. I'm not out to vilify these people by the way, just pointing out that the influence of US evangelicalism isn't limited to the Anglophone world. Hence, I fully agree with you: 'the future of American Christianity is far too important to entrust exclusively to Americans'!
Thanks Mike, obviously you have a big role here! I like your list of what's needed, However, as an Australian, is there any hope that Australian evangelicals can develop their own perspective on this, rather than follow every up and down on the USA scene which is SO different?
I think our major problem here sums up all these issues, namely over-clericalisation, closely related to ego-driven ministry. It's almost happily distracting to argue about gender equality, homosexuality etc without seeing it under the big picture of church structures and hierarchy. Most evangelical churches in Australia exist within mainstream denominations, including Pentecostalism. This is where white-male-dominated over-clericalised culture begins, is managed or maybe even challenged or else we all settle back into a kind of Stockholm Syndrome.
Michael, thank you for your words. I would say that there are a number of evangelical leaders trying to be a voice of reason to the evangelical world. I lead a weekly podcast and write a blog on Patheos that are devoted to the Scriptures and helping evangelicals through the quagmire. we will be interviewing Lisa Sharon Harper for our podcast soon. We would love to have you on as well! (contact me on FB (Rob Dalrymple-we are friends). I have 33 years experience at the college, seminary, and local church levels and have had to fight the disillusionment of my evangelical past myself. It has not been easy. We have started a new network (NEME: Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East) trying to help evangelicals understand the Middle east. We have begun a new study session at IBR on Scripture, Hermeneutics, and the Middle East in which zionist and non-zionist scholars are gathering to have conversations in a way that edifies the body. We would love to host you on our podcast. I have lost too many to the pit of evangelicalism and now we are trying to rescue as many as we can before the ship goes down
I appreciate this email, and I have similar frustrations. I work for an apologetics and worldview ministry. All of the data suggests that the biggest problems with the Church in America are rooted in things like biblical knowledge, faithfulness in church attendance, and young people leaving the church. I think this indicates a lack of understanding of and faithfulness to Jesus. The mindset of many here in the U. S. is that if we could get the right President and pass the right laws, then all our problems would be fixed. When I point out that politics cannot solve this problem cannot be fixed by politics I am usually dismissed. I am accused of drinking the liberal cool aid, or not being faithful, or being a liberal.
American evangelicalism needs to be decentered. Indeed, we are one the margins of Christianity with the centre being in the Majority World. Humility would become us. That’s the start of hope.
I wonder if you might have challenged Aussie evangelicals to carefully nurture an indigenous version of evangelicalism rather than being fatalistic about negative American influence?
Helen Paynter, UK Baptist minister and director of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence. Wholly agree, and would love to try to be part of the solution. Do get in touch if you think we can. paynterh@bristol-baptist.ac.uk
Helen Paynter, Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence. Wholly agree, and would love to try be part of the solution. Do get in touch paynterh@bristol-baptist.ac.uk
Paul Marshall has an interesting article in the Pi Day (3/14) edition of "Religion Unplugged" noting that people like Brooks and Wehner are more talking "about" the people on "my side," so to speak, than talking *with* us, essentially "othering" us, even if not intentionally.
https://religionunplugged.com/news/2022/3/12/how-david-brooks-pete-wehner-and-others-fail-to-address-evangelical-divisions
Thank you for this article! I recently moved back to US from serving in South and Southeast Asia, and I have been so disheartened by what I read and see among churches here. Genuine sadness that's moved toward deep frustration. There are bright spots, to be sure, but the overall climate is rough.
Would openly gay Christians have full access and participation in this network?
It would be terrific if some of the organizations and schools you have in mind would invite you to debate/discuss these issues. Charles Barkley would be proud of you as would Peter Vardy who said, "It takes courage to speak truth to your enemies, but it takes more courage to speak truth to your friends."