The Ugly Evangelical

This phrase should be an oxymoron.  Unfortunately, it is often not.  Why is it that evangelicals are often excused from jury pools because of their reputation for harshness?  Why is it that evangelical influence in Uganda has been blamed for its parliament's proposing to execute practicing homosexuals?  The list could go on.

As is the case with most issues in life, there is tension between permissiveness and encouragement of evil deeds on one hand and harsh, judgmental legalism on the other hand.  Dr. Richard Taylor, a conservative theologian and preacher, was preaching on the subject of the wise and foolish virgins.  In the middle of his description of the fate of the foolish virgins he interrupted the sermon to say, "I don't want to sound harsh here."  I treasured that interruption. 

It seems to me that the great Evangelical Revival in England in the 18th and early 19th century turned into the repressive Victorian era.  I fear that the same process may be operative in 21st century America.  We are really witnessing a great evangelical revival even though many people are not aware of it.  There are already signs that it may turn into the ugliness of judgmental and harsh attitudes.  I remember the one chapel service at Point Loma Nazarene University when there was a great movement of the spirit, as I call it.  Students were testifying all around the auditorium.  The spirit was killed when one student stood up to start preaching at the other students, telling them to shape up. 

In the early days of the church the standard was that before any name was taken off the church roll because that person had fallen by the wayside, an all-night prayer session was to precede that action.  I have seen church leaders disqualified because of their sins.  I'm not saying they should not have been removed from positions of responsibility.  I have been deeply offended by the sarcasm of church people in talking about their fallen brethren.  My wonderful stepfather used to say, in observing evil-doers, "There but for the grace of God go I."  Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in us.