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The Great Awakening on the Right and Left
My book "God’s Politics" called on people to take back their faith, after it had been “hijacked” by the Religious Right. Millions of Christians have done just that, and now the question is what are we going to do with our faith, now that we have it back? My new book, "The Great Awakening: Reviving Faith and Politics in a Post-Religious Right America," addresses that new question.
When I am asked what has changed since God’s Politics, I reply, “Everything.” The subtitle of God’s Politics was “Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It.” Well, the hard Right continues to get it wrong, but evangelicals are leaving the Religious Right in droves. Meanwhile the Left is starting to get the idea that politics should be about values and that religion has much to contribute to progressive politics.
Two things in particular have changed. First, we now see the “leveling of the praying field” as many Democrats are rediscovering their own religious roots, with many coming out of the closet as people of faith. And their candidates are actively reaching out to the faith community. In recent years perceived as the “secular party,” hostile to religion and values, Democrats are becoming a much more faith-friendly party—that’s a real sea change.
Second, and more important, the agenda of the faith community—especially the evangelical community—is changing dramatically to include issues such as poverty and pandemic diseases, environmental care and climate change, trafficking and human rights, genocide, war and peace.
That change could significantly impact politics in the 2008 election. "The Great Awakening" explores the new broader and deeper faith agenda and shows how a new spiritual “revival” could spark real social and political change.
Bill Hybels, senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, says that many evangelicals are ready for just such a “justice revival.” He says, “We are interested in the poor, in racial reconciliation, in global poverty and AIDS, in the plight of women in the developing world.”
And Rich Nathan, senior pastor of the Vineyard Church of Columbus, Ohio, says that “there is a spiritual awakening across America ... on behalf of the poor and the most marginalized.”
Adam Hamilton, pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, wants to “fan the flames of the 21st century revival within Ameri¬can Christ¬ianity. This revival is a reclaiming of the fullness of the gospel—a gospel that invites people into relationship with God through Jesus Christ, transforms them from the inside out, and then calls them to pursue justice, to practice radical compassion, and to both pray and work for God’s kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven.”
The new book traces the history of “great awakenings” of the past, in U.S. and world history, and then points to what is occurring now. I wrote the book because I believe it’s “movement time” again.
The Great Awakening speaks of two great hungers in our world today—the hunger for spirituality and the hunger for social justice. I believe that the connection between the two is one the world, and especially a new generation, is waiting for. The Great Awakening makes that vital connection and shows how spiritual renewal will likely be a necessary part of social change, and how perhaps only genuine spiritual revival can spark social and political transformation.
As a longtime social activist, I am now convinced that we will not get to social justice without spiritual revival. The book lays out seven key commitments that—if made on the personal, communal, and public policy level—could provide the “tipping point” on many of the key moral issues that we confront today.
I am not just saying that another Great Awakening may be coming. I’m convinced that it has already begun, and the book begins to tell its stories. As I’ve often said, this could be a revival that calls us to find common ground by moving to higher ground. It could transcend traditional divisions and bring people together across the theological and political spectrum on the major moral issues of our time. It asserts that religion should not be a wedge to divide us, but a bridge to bring us together.
As a teenager, I went to the black churches of Detroit after being kicked out of my white evangelical church. It was in the black churches that I first encountered the explosive combination of spiritual power and social change, and I have adopted that vision as my own.
In the months of working on this book my writing, praying, and vocational discernment got nicely tangled together. So I didn’t just finish a book; I also got a clearer sense than ever before of what the next steps might be and what I am supposed to be doing. We decided to organize “Justice Revivals” in cities across the country, beginning this spring in Columbus, Ohio, where I recently met with a wide variety of pastors and leaders to prepare for this three-day gathering of preaching, praise, and a call to do justice.
It’s the vision of the book, and a vision we are beginning to put into practice—a Justice Revival may be coming soon to a city near you.
By
Jim Wallis
|
February 11, 2008; 1:35 PM ET
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Posted by: Bill L | February 13, 2008 4:28 PM
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Letter To 'HINDU' Homosexual "B-MAN" the big mouth 'Spiritual Lover' but Noit 'Religion', et al:
"i" am going to talk to Mr. MOZEUS & MR. JEZEUS & Mr. MUHAMMAZEUS & Mr. VYASAZEUS & GAUTAMZEUS! et al! Intreresting How All The "NOVEL-STARS' or RELIGIOUS-STARS are ALL MEN! And how they keep the WOMEN Low! Example: in Afghanistan (you know), Pakisatanstan,(ye know) Tibetistan , Nepalistan, Indiasatanistan & Iranistan & Saudisatan et la!!!.
Note: Since you never have something 'Genuinely' (authentic, not Copy cat) & Academic to write about wanna B-aMAN or B-aWOMAN THEN,
B-MON, et al Punko's, Please Ignore & read over me posts, and "i" will ignore yours, O.K.?????
Move Forwards or ye will have sicknesses! Go Quitely! Go. Go Go... Thhhhhhhhaaaaaannnnnkkks.
February 9, 2008 11:25
This is my Meeting you half way or else "i" will Blitzcrage Your Oss wanna B-aMON! Ya Ya! O.K.??
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http://USA/US/USA/USA/USA/USA
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STOP THE WAR STOP THE WAR!!
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Better a CLINTON than a McCAIN!!!
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PEACE, PAZ, SALAAM, SHOLOM:........______________
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillary_Clinton МИР,평화, 和平:
Posted by: WARNINiNG to Big-Mouth Wannabe a MAN et al | February 13, 2008 3:46 PM
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B-MAN:
Antisocial personalities are compulsive, love a challenge and they are not easily dissuaded. Domination and control are the only goals. The rare glimpses of sanity that we see peeping out from behind these confabulated, exceedingly mean-spirited and down-right hateful posts are part of the ruse. Now you see me now you don't, and catch me if you can. Registration is the only way to end the insanity.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 13, 2008 2:36 PM
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JIM WALLIS
If you know, or if anyone else knows, can you explain WHY we are experiencing another Great Awakening at this time and why it started with the Radical Right and only now is spreading to the Left? I agree that we are in the middle of a Great Awakening, but I cannot explain why now.
Also, I hope the Sojourners appreciate the danger of advocating for law and policy because their religion commands it. That leads to a break down in the separation of church and state and fatally corrupts both. See David Kuo, Tempting Faith: An Inside Story of Political Seduction for the just the most recent example.
Living one's life as a Christian and using religion to motivate one's politics is all well and good, at times even inspiring, but the actual law and policy recommended must be based only on secular reasons. Otherwise, it's just "my religion over your religion."
Posted by: Hewitt | February 13, 2008 1:32 PM
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Jim Wallis -
I hope you're right...and that we see much more from activist Buddhists seeking public office and espousing their religious beliefs, practices and religious doctrines in the future. Imagine a vision of the Sutras and the teachings of the Buddha along side the King James version of the Bible on every book shelf. And I know they will be welcomed with open arms by progressive Christians everywhere.
Imagine a huge surge of interest in Buddhism that begins to vie for the niche currently occupied by Christian Evangelicals. Good news indeed!!
In our dreams........
Posted by: Terry | February 13, 2008 11:34 AM
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Att: "B-MAN"
att: PAGANPlace,
att: ARMENIUS,
Att: PAGANS,
Att: WiCHES,
Att: WICCANS,
Att: VOODOO MAN & MOMS, etc
Semiramis [B-MAN, et al} was the instigator in forming the false religion aimed at supporting their rule,
Semiramis [ARMENiUS, et al] was the instigator in forming the false religion aimed at supporting their rule,
Semiramis [PAGANPLACE, et al] was the instigator in forming the false religion aimed at supporting their rule,....
Shame Disgusting Shame!
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Friday, December 21, 2007
Excerpt: "Michael Polk [neo-PAGAN/WICCAN LEADER] is serving time for aggravated assault and robbery. He filed a lawsuit against corrections officials in federal court, accusing them of denying him religious items that he says are necessary to practice the Asatru religion.
Polk says he has been a member of the Asatru faith since 2005, and in order to properly practice it he needs items including: a Thor's Hammer, a prayer cloth, a Mead Horn used for drinking Wassail, a drum made of wood and boar skin, a rune staff and a sword.
http://altreligion.about.com/b/2007/06/05/inmate-may-sue-for-thors-hammer.htm
===
Please See your PAGAN's & WICCANS 'Mother Of HARLOTS" of which ye know now what ye worship suckers, on two Links. Thank You.
Excerpt: "Welcome to Reclaiming: a Community of People, a Tradition of Witchcraft, and a 501(c)3 non-profit Religious Organization in the San Francisco Bay Area. [caters mostly to lost Homosexuals & lost Lesbians (PEDEPHILES) or those who No Church, Synogogue, temple accepts them for their careless Life-Syles, that affects Us STRAIGHTS!).
Reclaiming is a community of women and men working to unify spirit and politics. Our vision is rooted in the religion and magic of the Goddess, the Immanent Life Force. We see our work as teaching and making magic; the art of empowering ourselves and each other. In our classes, workshops, and public rituals, we train our voices, bodies, energy, intuition, and minds. We use the skills we learn to deepen our strength, both as individuals and as community, to voice our concerns about the world in which we live, and bring to birth a vision of a new culture.
AND:
Posted by: Anonymous | February 13, 2008 10:22 AM
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Mr. Wallis,
Share with your readers the need for their individual obedience to the First and Greatest Commandment.
Please balance the 2nd Commandment with the Greater One.:
A vertical relationship with God whereby they Love Him with all of their hearts, strength, soul and mind (Moses and Jesus)
If you harp on the 2nd, the First doesn't go away.
Posted by: Silence Dogood | February 13, 2008 8:23 AM
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The key is the message. The message of God is “Yes I can, not no you can’t”. That is why the message of Obama is the message of Christ. The message of stop worrying about what we can’t do and focusing on providing health care to masses. Think about the message of Huckabee. No you can’t have health care for your children. Huckabee favors a sales tax plan that will raise the prices the average American pays for necessities of life by at least 30% (likely more) so that the top 10% of the population can have more. Is that Christian? The Religious Right is the message of no you can’t and we will use the force of government to keep the citizens in line. The Christian says yes we can save you and we will use the Government to do the work of God here on earth.
Posted by: bradcpa | February 13, 2008 7:46 AM
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Mr. Wallis, sorry to see so many idiotic posts here. I have been a fan of you and Soujourners since I was an undergraduate in the early 80s. It's hard not to be glad for a revival of the kind of Christianity you advocate.
However, seeing religious influence at its peak in Washington the last several years, I'd rather not take my chances with more Christian political activism of any sort.
In fact, seeing the corruption and and venality that supposedly Bible-believing people have wrought in Washington, I think a better response is probably to try to gently remove religious influence from our government and encourage Christians of all stripes to take their religion back to their churches and communities.
The Religious Right has made an awful mess of things; do we really know if the Religious Left, given the enormous power of Congress and the White House, wouldn't also produce awful results.
I think the religion of the Gospels is not at its best when it is ruling or trying to rule. I am very creeped out at the thought of a president speaking with God every morning, whether he is a Republican or a Democrat. When my leaders try to act out of Biblical principles, regardless of their interpretation, they stop representing me.
So I think the message Sojourners should continue preaching is for Christians to be disciples and not to seek power. Christianity's power is in the avoidance of power.
Tom Boyer
Posted by: T Boyer | February 12, 2008 6:31 PM
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What this country desperately needs is more spirituality and less "Religion". If a segment of our Christian population is now becoming more spiritual in their religion, then hallelujah.
However, until this group publicly and forcefully denounces the bigotry and ignorance of their right-wing brethren, Liberals are well justified in keeping up the attacks against those who would tirelessly fight for Creationism being taught in our schools, stem-cell research funding being denied, institutionalizing bigotry in the form of a gay marriage ban in our Constitution, etc. etc. etc.
Posted by: B-man | February 12, 2008 4:48 PM
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Jim:
How right you are that as Christians and human beings there is so much more that unites us than divides us. I also agree that ultimately political leaders will change when a true revival in the "weightier matters of the law; justice, mercy and faith" occurs (Mathew 23:23).
Praise the Lord and thank God so many more evengelicals are broadening their visions of spiritual growth. Where you lose me some is on your focus on poltitics.
Jesus, Paul and Peter built the body of Christ under the radar, as it were. I believe radical faith, both individually and in small groups, is the key to ushering in the new age that we seek.
Politics has shown itself to be selfish and almost thoroughly corrupt. Simple. common sense solutions that both parties suggest are thwarted by forces of evil on both sides.
The bible says that God chooses our leaders (Romans 13:1); it doesn't say preach the gospel by becoming politically active. His reasons for choosing imperfect leaders are not really our concern (see Daniel 4:17 (NIV)).
I also believe that you are wishful thinking when you speak about the evangelical vote being up for grabs and Democratic politicians who speak of faith.
When it comes down to the privacy of the voting booth, most evangelicals will vote republican. The problem is that, in this cycle anyway, Democrats who profess faith will be seen as opportunists. And rightly so.
Democrats must walk the walk for a while before they will have credibility.
The Holy Spirit has let me in on something: it will be easier to teach Republicans to have compassion than to teach those in the Democratic party who hate God to see the light.
God wants us to get over our obsession with elections and spreading democracy around the world. To this end, I see divided government for as far as the eye can see until we, as the body of Christ, learn to work together.
By then it won't matter to anyone which party is in charge. Then we can get on with sacrificing our lives and serving others in the name of the Lord.
more: www.carlrollinsblog.com/id12.html
Posted by: faithfulservant3 | February 12, 2008 3:29 PM
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Wouldn't a better solution be for both the left and the right to rediscover this country's SECULAR roots? I'd bet that most Americans would score pretty well on a test given on the 10 Commandments. I have no doubt that most would fare miserably on a test on the Bill of Rights.
How about we all put down our Bibles for a week and take to reading the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution in its stead? Who knows what kind of Awakening might take place!
Posted by: Mr Mark | February 12, 2008 10:43 AM
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JIM WALLIS:
As long as you and your fellow travellers continue to believe in the false doctrine of "Just Wars," all we have to look forward to are just wars.
Jesus never killed anyone, neither did he advocate killing anyone, nor did he sanction killing anyone. He willingly laid down his life rather than kill (even on the cross he had the power to annihilate mankind), and he commanded his disciples to follow his example. And so they did for about the first century anno domini, because "they loved not their lives unto death."
Then, about 300 AD, an apostate church postulated the false doctrine of "Just Wars," and ersatz Christians have been marching to the beat of a different drummer ever since.
As long as you justify war, all your spiritual ambitions are for nought. As long as you justify slaughter on a massive scale, you do not speak for the man of peace.
If perchance you find justification in the Old Testament, then you must keep the Mosaic Laws perfectly, which only Jesus ever did, and the perfect law of liberty in Christ is null and void to you.
"My sheep hear my voice, and another master they will not follow."
Posted by: John Stephens | February 12, 2008 3:28 AM
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Take back your faith? What faith? It's whatever flaots your boat for you liberal "Christians"!
Jesus is the only way to salvation.