So I think the President has been very clear in his opposition to whatever organization, including the Southern Baptists that perpetrate religious hatred." one of the greatest challenges going into the next century is dealing with intolerance, ethnic and religious hatred and coming to grips with the longstanding resentments between religions. Lockhart replied, "I think the President has made very clear his view from any quarter. Lockhart, questions or comments on this?" Mr. We are trying to repair and bring peace to the 21st century, while they are trying to take us into the 20th century again. On Decemin a press conference at the White House, the Press Secretary for President Clinton, Joe Lockhart, was surprised when an unexpected issue was posed-"Joe, the Southern Baptists are still issuing a warning against Hindus, Jews and Muslims during their special holidays. Allegations of Religious Hatred The White House Finally, a suggestion will be made as to how evangelicals should respond. Then we will describe evangelicals' understanding of evangelism, subsuming missions and apologetics under that rubric, and why the charges of hate crimes will not stick. This article will examine the developing pattern of instances of allegations of hate crimes being leveled against evangelicals, and why these charges are being made. 12:32) and are equipped to address the issue of religious freedom from a biblical and historical perspective, then it is likely that opposition to the work of Christ will continue and perhaps increase. Unless Christians are able to understand the times like the sons of Issachar (cf. But it is also a period where perhaps more than any other time in the Grand Experiment called the United States of America, religious liberty might be seriously imperiled and endangered. It is a period of history fraught with wonderful opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore it is to be opposed, and perhaps in the minds of some, prohibited.Īn Urgent MomentEvangelicals, and our country generally, are in a kairos movement-a moment of crisis and urgency. But no, the relativistic worldview in which much of our society is immersed maintains that any religious conviction, particularly if it bears the name Christian, which holds to absolute truth cannot be based on any other presupposition but uninformed animosity. As well, we sense His love for that world and want genuinely and graciously to share the Gospel with people everywhere. Rather, we sense and know from both our own hearts and heads that it is indeed the love of Christ which compels us to share Him with a lost and dying world (cf. "Bigotry, hatred, enslavement": surely what Jesus Christ has brought to our lives is a far cry from those qualities. "Just who are the critics of biblical values talking about?" an evangelicalmight ask. This skepticism is especially acute when the worldview in question is conservative, Bible-based evangelical Christianity.Īs evangelicals, a first encounter with the intolerance of political correctness might produce a genuine sense of shock and dismay. A relativistic postmodern worldview that has rejected absolutes, particularly religious ones, is completely skeptical about any ideology that sounds a note of certainty about salvation, forgiveness and assurance about a home in heaven. It is becoming commonplace probably because of the growing acceptance of postmodernism by many Americans. This twist on interpreting various forms of evangelistic activity done by particular denominations and parachurch groups, is rapidly becoming in much of the press and media, it seems, commonplace. Traditional Christian outreach is construed as an attempt to limit non-Christian groups' freedom and rights or is an expression of ancient religious hatred. The Great Commission is now labeled as a contributor to "warfare," "hatred," "imperialism and enslavement." Attempts to share the Gospel or to pray for specific people groups is reported as undiluted bigotry and intolerance. Given the gleaming confidence of those words, and in light of the appalling failings of Jesus' followers, that last command goes on contributing heavily to the evils of national and religious warfare, institutional and individual hatred, imperialism and enslavement." Reynolds Price, Time, December 6, 1999, page 94. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." (Jesus - Matthew 28:18-20). "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Are Evangelism, Missions, and Apologetics a Hate Crime?Īre Evangelism, Missions, and Apologetics a Hate Crime?.
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