I'm no traditional fundamentalist.
My theology is not as systematic for the majority of today's religiously educated. I'm more along the lines of an authentic, missional, relevant Jesus follower, with a determined heart of compassion for this emerging post-modern populace we call today's culture.
Yet, I am a blessed man of a previous generations leadership. A man that has great respect for those who lead before me, and were determined to engage their generation's culture, even if I do disagree with most of their marketplace methodology.
That's why the death of Jerry Falwell caused me pause this week. The event challenged me to look deeper, to love more and to reach this culture in a means of earning its relational trust.
You can see it, today's cultural personality has drastically changed. It's not the same as it was in 1970, or early 80's, where a moral majority rested. Jerry Falwell was the first of many men to lead the parade down the road to the political arena, with hopes to enter the marketplace of ideals with a compassionate discourse, a loving dialog.
What started out as a sincere effort, eventually evolved into a confusing and frustrating 'priority shift' in purpose for Jesus' gang of followers.
This week we've been hearing the word 'controversial' used to describe these leaders who shared a desire to bring about change by obtaining a seat at the political table. Yes, is became controversial, with some success, but in the end the desire for discourse erroneously morphed into politics becoming the mission itself.
For some, what was once a purposed journey - soured; political power became faith's 'modus operandi'. What we desired in conversation lead to an "us versus them" war of the flesh - something we are told to avoid at all costs.
We saw the Christian tempted to place his and her faith in votes, our righteousness (right-relationship) revealed by victories and ultimately our identity in building a majority. Again, what was to be a simple civic discourse, became the sole mission of our faith.
Over time culture's refusals grew frustrating, as we filled with frustration. We turned to formulas to 'power over people', versus Jesus' way of 'powering under people'; bringing about change in his love and by his great grace for the heart, and not just the head.
What was once a 'morality cultural gap' that we hoped to close with an 'in the room' explanation, grew into a larger monster of resentment. What we had hoped to heal, festered.
I say this with great respect for Jerry Falwell, and those who joined in on the attempt to engage the culture, thank you. They sacrificed and succeeded in many areas we enjoy today, for that we are forever grateful.
As this emerging era remembers Jerry Falwell, he will be commended for his ministry, his church and the marvelous development of Liberty University, an institution that has produced thousands of great leaders in Graceland. As it relates to the political arena, therein lies a lesson for us all.
We will honor the "holistic gospel" by finding a personal place inside of today's culture to build relationships', hug a neck in comfort and start a new discourse on meeting the needs of today's cultural people. It is not enough to just speak to them from a distance, or to legislate them in a majority.
We play and pray for Jesus to change hearts, with his method of love mixed with truth. We will return to an engagement of "political discourse", careful to contain its fleshly zeal so to prohibit it from becoming the sole purpose of our mission.
We will relate with great purpose, moving out from behind our creeds and building relationships with deeds.
We will know that civic politics are a citizen's responsibility, a duty - but never an arena to place one's faith or create spiritual identity. For we all are men and women of a fallen creation, in need of God's great grace in Jesus, not a redemptive political system.
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