22/09: A New Generation of Evangelical Leaders
Category: Religion & Public Policy
Posted by: an okie gardener
In the last few years Jerry Falwell and D. James Kennedy both have died. Pastors of large churches, Baptist and Presbyterian (PCA) respectively, they were culture warriors on the national scene. Fighting for a "Christian America" on every front, including political, future historians will be assessing the impact of these men, and the New Religious Right, for years to come.
Their churches, and many of the ministries they started continue, though with changes.
Controversy at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church from the South Florida Sun-Sentinal.
The two sons of Jerry Falwell now lead Thomas Road Baptist Church and Liberty University. From USA TODAY.
While these two articles point out some of the changes made under the leadership of Jonathan Falwell at Thomas Road, Jerry Falwell at Liberty, and Tullian Tchividjian at Coral Ridge, a significant point is missed in both. These three men are representative of the new generation of evangelical leaders who are not taking up leadership in political and cultural crusades fought by their predecessors to change institutions and structures. Instead, all three are following a philosophy of changing the world through changing individuals.
Their churches, and many of the ministries they started continue, though with changes.
Controversy at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church from the South Florida Sun-Sentinal.
The two sons of Jerry Falwell now lead Thomas Road Baptist Church and Liberty University. From USA TODAY.
While these two articles point out some of the changes made under the leadership of Jonathan Falwell at Thomas Road, Jerry Falwell at Liberty, and Tullian Tchividjian at Coral Ridge, a significant point is missed in both. These three men are representative of the new generation of evangelical leaders who are not taking up leadership in political and cultural crusades fought by their predecessors to change institutions and structures. Instead, all three are following a philosophy of changing the world through changing individuals.
Martian Mariner wrote:
I think you're right that there is a generational difference regarding the role of Christians in society. I don't know if the change is a move *away* from a politically driven Christianity or a move *toward* a more individual- and community-driven Christianity. I also don't know how good it will be for this country. What I do know is that I certainly think it is good for Christians and Christianity. (Although many at the forefront of this movement are more and more shunning those terms as carrying too much cultural baggage, opting for less loaded terms like "Jesus-follower" etc.)