A New Generation of Religion and Politics

My recent interview with PBS' Religion and Ethics Newsweekly has been posted on their website and is titled "Jonathan Merritt: A New Generation of Religion and Politics." Rather than add a bunch of commentary on this post, I would rather you go check it out for yourself and let me know your thoughts. Where do you agree with me? Where do you disagree? Do you you think I am crazy?

The full spot will begin airing this weekend, and is based on a new survey of young evangelicals being released. You can find some of the details here. The full PBS segment on younger evangelicals includes B-roll footage and narration as well as other's opinions.

On a side note, you will notice that I am wearing a To Write Love on Her Arms shirt for the interview. TWLOHA is an amazing organization that deserves a minute of your time. Check them out.

**Update: The whole television report has been posted on PBS' website.**

**Update: The following email was sent out today from Marc Andreas, who serves as VP for the top US adoption agency, Bethany Christian Services:

Dear Friends of Bethany,

Here's a link to a short 3-minute video of national expert Jonathan Merritt that does an excellent job of representing the philosophical shift going on in the younger evangelical community. This is having a significant impact on our marketing strategy as we reach out to new adoptive families, foster families, donors and volunteers in the greater church community. Our message of global orphan care resonates very strongly with this younger audience. Thanks for being a partner with us as we reach out to help the more than 143 million orphans around the world.

(The only problem I have is that he calls me a "national expert." More like "national troublemaker.")**

A great new website has launched that is unlike anything I have seen. Creation Care for Pastors is a web resource specifically designed for church Pastors who are interested in creation care. It takes a distinctively biblical approach by applying scriptural principles to environmental issues. This site features books, resources, scientific data and everything a pastor needs to educate himself or herself about the state of creation and our God-given role to care for it.

If you are pastor, check it out and let me know what you think.

**Update: Check out the sample sermons from Bill Hybels, Rob Bell, Matthew Sleeth, Tri Robinson and others.**

What is Wealth For?

(Guest Writer - Mike Waggoner, TN)I recently read the new book by Rob Bell, Jesus Wants To Save Christians. Great book...really thought provoking. It came as a result of the front page of the Minneapolis Star stating that a certain church had just added onto their physical facility with the cost being 20.5 million dollars. On the same front page it was stated that 1 in 5 were living WAY below the poverty line. Rob asked the question..."What's wrong with this picture?" I ask the same question.

I think about the role of the church in meeting people's needs and ask...is this really being done? If you are a homeless person, the church may reach out to you, but if you are a member of a particular congregation, and have fallen on hard times, you can pretty much forget it. I have told the story of a friend who attended a LARGE and WEALTHY church who refused to help him and his family. This church's Youth Group account has $30,000.00 in it...this is just the account for the Youth! That's a buttload of pizza and soda!

The 1st Century church was truly a family. The book of Acts states that they had "all things in common...and no one lacked for anything". The church of today is quick to hoard for itself piles of "gold and silver" but this is to it's own destruction...ultimately.

Financial blessings are to be shared with those who have not...but this is the role of the church, not the government. Yes, the govt. needs to protect and serve the people, but the people are to sustain the people...and this is exactly what the church is supposed to do.

The Body of Christ has been relegated to a wheelchair. Impotent, weak and ineffective. Why? Because she hasn't functioned in the areas that her Lord had prescribed almost 2,000 years ago. Check out Matthew 25 to see His "checklist".

I grow tired and weary of seeing firsthand and hearing secondhand, the lack of compassion the churches have. The church has laid up for itself, treasure on earth, where "moth & rust corrupt"...to the point that it will soon be too late to apply the resources to people's needs. They will find that one day they will be able to dump their cash on the streets and no one will even notice, because it will no longer be worth anything. They will be begging to spend their wealth on someone and there will be no one who will want their help.

If we look at Biblical persons of wealth, they either used their wealth to benefit others and were blessed over again or they used it selfishly and were miserable. Abraham, David, Solomon, Barnabas on the one hand...Lot, Laban, Nabal and the very same Solomon on the other hand.

Money is meant to be a tool; a means of acquiring things to help others. Yes, it is OK to have things for yourself and to enjoy the blessings of wealth...but not at the expense of others having NOTHING. Our ultimate example is Jesus Himself. See Philippians 2...as a result of reading this SERIOUSLY, I have changed my perspective on wealth and giving, immensely.

Think about it.

New Book: Green Revolution

Intervarsity Press will be releasing a new book in March 2009 called Green Revolution: Coming Together to Care for Creation by Ben Lowe (foreword by Shaine Claiborne). Ben is a Wheaton Grad and Director of Outreach for A Rocha, and in this book he covers a timely word about the state of God's world and our responsibility to care for it.

Earlier this year, I wrote an essay that will appear in the book after the chapter on politics. I imagine that my essay will create some sparks. I also offered an endorsement along with Timothy George, Will Samson, Bill McKibben and others. Make sure you preorder a copy, read it and let me know what you think.

Better Days...

We are less than three weeks away from choosing a new President, from choosing a new direction, regardless of which candidate is victorious. And looking back on the last eight years makes me long for days when our political system gave us something to get excited over. Though I was too young to remember it, I long for days like when Reagan was President.

I long for days when people are truly proud to be Americans, with no disclaimer, reservations or caveats. I long for a President who, when massive struggle or scandal arises, is respected enough and wise enough to solicit even the advice of a member of the opposing party (like Reagan did following Iran Contra). I long for a time when we actually feel like tomorrow will be better than today, when we can spend Saturday on autopilot knowing that those in Washington are working overtime with our best interests in mind.

None are perfect, but Reagan came closer than most.

Peggy Noonan, one of the most beautiful speech writers and wordsmiths of the last 50 years, reflects on the last eight years in her newest book, “Patriotic Grace: What It Is and Why We Need It.” In it she says, “By the end of the O’s, the end of the Bush era, I think this could be said: What began with love ended in dissention. The greatest political passions were funneled into opposition, not support. Democrats on the ground were left longing for change, and Republicans for Ronald Reagan.” I think she is too modest. I think the longing she speaks about reaches well beyond the Republican party.

Though I have only the vaguest of memories of the beloved era, I feel confident in my desire. I long for the next Ronald Reagan.

Don't you...

**Update: For that matter, I long for a John F. Kennedy.**

Have Your Thoughts Heard by a National Audience

This weekend, I was interviewed by PBS' Religion and Ethics Newsweekly and today my contact there sent me an email with information on how you can add your thoughts. The producers are currently collecting the political insights of young evangelicals (18-29 years old) by asking them to send in a 2-3 minute video clip stating their attitudes and views on religion, politics and America's role in the world, and the readers of my blog sounded perfect to them.

You can record this with a webcam, cell phone camera or a real video camera if you have one. The quality of the video is not important. The best videos will be posted here during halloween weekend (irony?) alongside a story about young evangelicals that will be broadcast nationwide.

Here is the information they are looking for:

"My name is ___I am___ years old and come from ___ "

(Talk naturally and openly. Use interviews with your friends, music,whatever you want.)

An idea of the sort of things we're interested in hearing about:

What are the most important election issues to you this year?

Are your political views different from your parents? How?

To what extent are your views on humanitarian issues--working on human rights, poverty and disease--an extension of your religious beliefs?

What do you believe are the biggest problems facing the world today? Howshould the US be engaged in world affairs?

When and where should the US intervene in the world?

Do you think poverty, disease, torture and global warming are pro-life issues? Why?

Have you ever gone on international mission trips?

Let us know how theyhave influenced your views on issues like persecution, war, genocide,poverty and disease.

The video clips must be sent no later than midnight on Wednesday, October 29th. Just go to yousendit.com, a website that allows you to email large files. The email address is hanleypj@gmail.com. If you have any questions, write to Missy Daniel at danielm@religionethics.org.

As you know, I firmly believe that conversations create the change we need in culture. This is a perfect way to insert your voice into a conversation with a huge audience. I am interested to see who participates and what was said. Comment and let me know.

Healing for a Broken World

Today, I picked up a book for the first time and now I can't put it down. The book is Healing for a Broken World: Christian Perspectives on Public Policy by Steven Monsma. For some time, I have been looking for a book that offers a balanced approach to public policy that all evangelicals--both left-leaning and right-leaning--can rally around. This book just might be it. 

The book has an star-studded and diverse list of endorsements that by itself almost warrants reading the book. From the right, Monsma is endorsed by Chuck Colson, Francis Beckwith, Os Guiness and Joel Belz of World Magazine; from the center or left (depending on how you see it), Ron Sider, David Gushee and Jennifer Butler of Faith in Public Life. The content is equally provocative. Monsma tackles important issues, such as church and state, life issues, poverty, human rights violations, and war. 

If you have not read this book, consider ordering it. If you have read it, let me know if what you thought about it. I'd love to know if anyone feels like I do.

To Ink or Not to Ink?

I'm struggling with a decision, and I need your help. For some time, I have wanted to get a tattoo of either the word "Hope" or "Created." These are meaningful words to me personally but are also scriptural allusions--1 Peter 3:15 and Colossians 1:16, respectively. I would like to get it on the underside of my wrist. 

My question is this: Would getting this tattoo limit my audience as I move forward with writing and speaking or are tattoos not really a significant point of concern for people anymore? I honestly didn't think this would be a huge deal to people. After all, the newest statistics show 36% of Americans between 18 and 29 now have a tattoo, and nearly one in four Americans between 18 and 50 are tattooed. However, others have recently commented that it might marginalize me.

So, I am turning this over to you, my faithful readers. Do you think this would marginalize me with a significant number of people, and do you think I should get it?

Nothing Changes at the "Non-Townhall Townhall"

If you watched the debate last night and managed to stay awake during the whole thing, you probably felt like I did: LAAAAAME! The questions were softball, the moderator was boring and the answers were nothing short of talking points. 

Check out my reaction for RelevantMagazine.com entitled, "McCain & Obama Face Off." Let me know if you agree with my analysis and let me know if you have anything to add. Also, if you are looking for a little reported story regarding the debate, check out this column from the New York Times about John McCain leaving early. 

Thanks for Noticing

In a surprising turn of events, writer / activist Brian McLaren knows I exist! Brian is the author of several books, the father of the emergent church movement and a lightning rod of controversy. 

It feels good to know someone out there is listening...

(Proof can be found here.)

Fireproof: Good Message, Bad Art

There are several posts embedded in my day's events, but only two make the short list: the Vice-Presidential debate and my last minute decision to see the Christian flick, Fireproof. VP or Fireproof? Fireproof or VP? In the end, I figure everyone else will be chatting up the debate. So, if you wanna hear about that check out the debate coverage from CNN or Fox News, according to your political bent. I'm taking on the Christian flick.

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I love good music. That's why I typically stay away from Christian music. I love good films. That's why I don't watch many Christian movies as a rule. Today, however, I broke that rule and went to see Fireproof, a movie produced by a baptist church in Albany, GA that has already grossed over $7 million. (Coincidentally, it was produced by the same people who brought us Facing the Giants, a movie which grossed over $10 million that you may also never have heard of.) 

The movie exceeded my expectations, though I must admit my expectations were pessimistic bordering on despondent. On the one hand, there were moments of genuine emotion and times filled with true humor where I laughed out loud. The leading roles were filled with serious actors who carried a plot that was well-written in places.

 

On the other hand, the cinematography was often made-for-TV poor to the point of distracting and the supporting roles were filled with actors for which the adjective "B-list" would be a compliment. But, most of all, the movie was awkwardly filled with spirituality at the expense of the plot. (And, I can say that as a passionate Christian.) In one scene, which would have likely been the climax, the sense of romance and reconciliation was ruined by out-of-place comments about salvation. As I told a friend following the movie, a good joke is marked by a strong and unexpected punchline. The punchline for this joke was shamelessly smattered throughout and left no one guessing.

I don't understand why we, as Christians, can't just make good art (like Dot and Cross, the people who produce the nooma videos)! This movie, while a big improvement over its predecessor, suffered at the hands of the message. That is truly a tragedy because the message is so timely. I give Fireproof 2 stars.

Did you see it? What did you think?

In what may be the most exciting and promising PR campaign to come out of the Christian community in a long time, the Creation Care Minute has launched in radio markets all across the United States. The voice of these 60-second spots is Tricia Elisara, a wife, mother, and someone who knows how important caring for God's creation really is. I was privileged enough to write some of the scripts for this project along with several other talented writers.

I encourage you to pray for and listen for the creation care minute spots as they hit the airwaves in your city soon. Sixty seconds may not seem like a lot to you, but in the time it takes to toast a bagel God can awaken a heart to the task of caring for His wonderful creation and advocating for those who depend on it worldwide.