Revealing Details: Why I’m Still an Evangelical (Part Three: Activism)

[We’re considering here the four characteristics that David Bebbington cites as denoting Evangelicals from the 1730s into the present. (His book was published in 1987.) I’m discussing them very briefly, in reverse order of their importance as I’ve experienced those priorities among North American Evangelicals.]

David Bebbington describes a wide range of Activism in which Evangelicals engage. Some limit themselves only to efforts at converting and congregating those who will agree with their perspective. Others’ focus on seeking to constrain others’ behaviors to whatever form of morality they’ve selected from (usually) some portion of scripture.

For me, though, activism needs to align with the actions demonstrated for us in the example of Jesus’ life and ministry. Why? Because Jesus says so. In one example (Matthew 25:31-46), Jesus describes The King sitting as a shepherd separating sheep from goats. Those who “inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” are the ones who sustain the hungry and thirsty, show hospitality to strangers, clothe the naked, and visit the imprisoned. This isn’t Jesus’ only call to activism, and explaining the relationship with God available through Christ is also an important aspect of Christian behavior. But although “actions speak louder with words,” the emphasis is still on actions, without which words ring hollow. (See James 2:14-17.)

The activism I embrace (as I believe God Themself has led me) involves direct care to those on the fringes of society, the disenfranchised, the dehumanized, and the destructively excluded. Not everyone should pursue the particular populations I serve. But whose lives you are improving? Living to serve, taking up the call of Activism, is one of the four key characteristics that make me an Evangelical. We’ll discuss the other three shortly. For now…

About the images: Spencer is a professional model. She is also authentic, transparent, and vulnerable about her personal and spiritual history and experience. So…how could I not love her? Therefore, when she mentioned her one previous shibari suspension session was so enjoyable that she wanted to try it again…I contacted our favorite rigger and set it up. We paid Spencer for the modeling time, too. This is how we act toward models we’ve grown to love, at least to respect, or even just to “hire” the first time or two. That’s part of Activism, I think, and thus what Jesus would have me do.