Not that kind of evangelical

A recent article asks "Can Marco Rubio appeal to evangelicals?" It divides evangelicals into the Jerry Falwell wing, the Billy Graham wing, the Jimmy Swaggart wing and assigns each of those wings to a current Republican candidate. It doesn't mention the other evangelicals, like those of us who are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Evangelical, used in the media and in political speeches, has become synonymous with Fundamentalism. When I hear it used that way I want to shout, "But I'm not that kind of evangelical!"

At LSTC we reclaim that other definition of evangelical, the one we use in our denomination's name. It's the first definition in my dictionary: "of, relating to, or being in agreement with the Christian gospel."

The gospel, as I hear it taught and preached at LSTC and in ELCA congregations, shines a different light on the policies that candidates are laying out in their campaigns. I ask myself if what they're proposing will make our society better, serve those in need, welcome the stranger.

Certainly some of us in the ELCA will vote for Republicans and some of us will vote for Democrats. Either way, I pray that our choices will reflect our understanding of the gospel. In that way, I guess I am that kind of evangelical.

Blessings,