A New Evangelical Agenda?
Christians have a rich history of engaging in society’s most pressing social issues.
A recent trend in media articles suggests there is a growing split between “old-line” evangelical leaders such as Dr. Dobson, Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, and those who wish to “broaden” the social issue agenda, such as Rick Warren, and Richard Cizik, formerly of the National Association of Evangelicals. The new agenda includes the fight against AIDS, the killing in
There are several points to be made in response.
1. We welcome social action by evangelicals. We believe that social involvement is clearly indicated in Scripture.
2. God leads people into different arenas of activity. We would not suggest that evangelicals shouldn’t fight against any injustice about which they feel strongly, but we ask for the same grace to be extended toward us. God has called Focus on the Family to stand for issues that directly impact the family. We simply cannot address every issue that should be addressed. If we did, we would be effective on none of them.
3. We have an abiding view of the importance of two particular social issues that we handle regularly – abortion and homosexuality. We are criticized sometimes by media and religious leaders for the “narrowness” of these issues. We don’t agree with that criticism. We believe they are foundational to the survival of the family. Here’s why:
a. Our core belief is that life begins at fertilization, that life is sacred and that people bear the image of God. Therefore, the wanton killing of innocent, preborn children via the act of abortion is an evil of the greatest order.
b. Homosexuality carries with it a political agenda that seeks to erase the institution of marriage by redefining it. This amounts to social disaster for children, who need both a mother and father. Mountains of social science data back up what we believe from the Scriptures on this point.
c. These issues are the broadest possible issues that we could address. They are by no means “narrow.”
4. We are sometime asked why we don’t speak out on the issue of poverty. Actually, we battle poverty every day, as we strive to keep families intact. Statistics overwhelmingly bear out the point that as families break up, poverty increases dramatically. William Bennett has said that the intact, nuclear family is the original Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Focus on the Family’s philosophy regarding the role of government is often at odds with anti-poverty and welfare policy proposals. We believe that — whenever possible — less government is better than more government. Allowing parents to keep more of their income to support their family is better than raising taxes so the government can implement welfare programs. That’s also why Focus supports tax reductions and the elimination of policies like the marriage tax, which penalizes married couples.
5. Most of the media attention to this supposed split among evangelicals is rooted in its political calculation. Some reporters believe that because leaders like Rick Warren are concerned about AIDS, they will part company with evangelicals on a host of political issues. Actually,
6. Focus has had considerable success in advancing government programs that concentrate on abstinence and faithfulness as weapons against AIDS, as opposed to condom distribution. We have been criticized for it, yet it is largely the same position held by Rick Warren.
7. Regarding the issue of global warming, any evangelical who steps up on that one has an enhanced chance of becoming a media celebrity, since the media love this issue. What lies behind the liberal position on this issue is the belief that too many people exist in the world. We believe people represent the solutions to problems, not the cause of problems. We are aware that a lot of junk science is amassed to support the global-warming position, and the evidence that points against human cause of it is ignored.
As we always have, Focus on the Family will continue to fight to protect the family.
Related: Why doesn't Focus on the Family address certain issues?
Tom Minnery is the senior vice president of government and public policy for Focus on the Family.
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