An Evangelical Manifesto

Reviews of the recently released "Evangelical Manifesto" (here is the abbreviated version) have been mixed. For those who have not yet heard, numerous notable evangelicals of many theological stripes (check the list; you may be surprised!) issued the Manifesto in an attempt to depoliticize Evangelicalism. The Manifesto states, "We Evangelicals see it our duty to engage with politics, but our equal duty never to be completely equated with any party, partisan ideology, or nationality. The politicization of faith is never a sign of strength but of weakness." The document claims elsewhere that Evangelicals have often become "'useful idiots' for one political party or another."

I was surprised by some of the names on the list. Even conservatives such as Kay Arthur, Jack Hayford, and some from Dallas Theological Seminary signed the document. The variety of signatories on the list surprised me. I'll admit that I have not yet read the entire Manifesto, but it may be a step in the right direction for the Evangelical movement. The weakness of the document, however, is its quest for the via media. Based on my quick perusal, the document fails to propose the best way for Evangelicals to move forward.

Justin