It's late. Too late to be writing a post. But, I've been distracted like a bunch of you have been. This accusation and unfolding story with Ted Haggard is so disheartening. I feel embarrassed. And I don't much like the word Evangelical.
I realized how embarrassed I was as I spoke with a friend on my cell phone as I sat at gate F11 in O'Hare International Airport earlier today. My friend was slower getting the news about Haggard than I had been, and I was bringing him up to date with what I'd caught in the news. The conversation was brief. I didn't judge what I didn't know (there's still plenty we don't know...).
And I felt embarrassed. I was suddenly aware that others around me in the gate area could hear my conversation. They heard me talk about the Evangelical Association. They heard me express despair about what this communicates to the world about Christians.
And I suspected that if they listened at all, that they heard me speak as a Christian, probably an Evangelical.
Crap.
I know we're an imperfect lot. All of us. Me, too. Especially me, too. I'm praying for Ted, his wife and his kids. I can't imagine what's going on in their world - or what has gone on in their world. But, I hate all of this.
- I hate that the labels "Christian", "Evangelical" and "Republican" are all tied together in many American minds. I know Christians can be in politics. I know Evangelicals aren't all alike. And, I know there are Democrats in the Kingdom of God. Somewhere our American lens has caused us to lose sight of the only power that transforms a life - Jesus Christ. (see Tim Stevens post about voting)
- I hate that this accusation is so politically charged. Not just by Ted's accuser, but by the media and other Evangelical leaders. Will this affect what happens at the polls on Tuesday? Probably. I suppose there'll be a number of spins on the impact - regardless how the voting goes (see Friday's late post from the L.A. Times)
- I hate that I'm losing sleep over this.
So, I'm going to bed now. More later...
