Article by: Shane St Reynolds, Editor at TheGoodNewsBlog.Org
Tuesday 29, October 2024

Note from Paule: It’s been a blessing engaging with Shane. He’s incredibly encouraging and kind. I appreciated reading his story, even if I “personally” cringed that he gets his news from X…I will always call it Twitter. Speaking of which, for too long we’ve allowed doctrinal dogma and national insecurity to control the conversation, so let’s try having different ones.

Let’s kick things off with a little confession: when it comes to my theological beliefs, I’m as progressive as a kangaroo on a pogo stick yet I still cherish tradition and possess some conservative viewpoints. My spiritual journey began in the Catholic Church, then bounced over to Anglicanism, before taking a detour through the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) and the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC). It’s been quite the road trip! 

Not long ago, I asked my friend Dr. Peter Lewis, a progressive theologian and author of “Revitalizing Christianity: The Theology of Peter Lewis”, whether I could still identify as an Evangelical. He laughed and pointed out that the term means different things to different folks—similar to how “mate” can refer to your best friend or that guy who just cut you off in traffic.

Evangelical Former Pastor

As a former Pastor, I’ve found that wearing the label “Evangelical” these days can be as tricky as trying to surf without wiping out. Here in Australia, it often feels like the term has transformed into what “fundamentalist” used to mean a couple of decades ago—minus the sunscreen and beach vibes, of course. So, let’s grab our surfboards and dive into the waves of faith and politics in Australia!

I enjoy writing in both informal and formal styles, mixing my academic background with a healthy dose of humour—something you definitely need when spending time in the church. Seriously, without a sense of humour, you might just succumb to a serious case of the “holy eye rolls” during those endless meetings. Life’s too short to take everything too seriously, especially when navigating the sometimes murky waters of faith and politics. So, let’s ride these waves together! I hope you enjoy this article and thank you to Paule for this guest post. I had the privilege of interviewing him recently and you can read that story here.

How “Evangelical” Sounds To Others

In Australia, being labeled as “Evangelical” often brings to mind folk from the Sydney Anglican tradition or GAFCON (The Global Anglican Future Conference). Sydney Anglicans are known for their unique—and sometimes controversial—beliefs. They typically champion traditional, conservative views on biblical authority, sexuality, and the role of women in the church, which can create some interesting clashes with the more liberal vibes found in the wider Anglican Communion. Plus, they have a strong focus on evangelism and mission work, which can come off as a bit intense or overly enthusiastic to those outside their circles.

The cultural landscape in Australia is increasingly secular, leading many to view the staunch religious convictions, for example, those of Sydney Anglicans, as somewhat disconnected or extreme. High-profile leaders within this group have made headlines for controversial statements, such as Glenn Davies, who infamously told dissenters to “leave us” if they disagreed with church doctrine. Davies, an Australian Anglican bishop, now leads the Diocese of the Southern Cross—an independent Anglican body established in August 2022 that explicitly forbids same-sex marriage. He previously served as Archbishop of Sydney and Metropolitan of New South Wales from 2013 to 2021 before founding this separate diocese.

Unspoken Black Books

I vividly recall Davies’s “leave us” comments in 2019 that made headlines in Australia, so I sent him a “polite email” sharing my perspective. Afterwards, my parish priest called me to the church to caution me that I might end up in his black book! Do Bishops have black books, lol! I can only imagine the intriguing crowd of rebels noted in there—perhaps it’s similar to the way Jesus was viewed by the Pharisees, no wonder he was flipping tables!

Interestingly, this new diocese has struggled to find its footing, with only a handful of congregations making the leap—mostly due to worries about property ownership and the messy business of leaving established church communities for a hall in the back of a school! It seems that, in this case, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side!

When I think of American Evangelicals, names like Joel Osteen spring to mind—a charismatic televangelist who sometimes seems more like a smooth-talking used car salesman than a spiritual leader. Seriously, if he threw in a “two-for-one holy blessing” deal, I wouldn’t be surprised! His style couldn’t be more different from what we encounter here in Australia. While our shores are getting increasingly secular, there’s a smaller Evangelical movement here, though it lacks the glitz and glamor of its American counterpart. It’s like comparing a cozy local cafe to a Starbucks —both serve up their brews, but one has a lot more buzz and barista!

10 Fundamental Evangelical Issues

As I’ve grown in my faith, I’ve taken a closer look at traditional Evangelical beliefs and identified some key issues:

1. Anthropocentrism: The Evangelical narrative often places humanity at the centre, making the gospel sound like it’s primarily about us. In reality, it tells the story of what God has accomplished through Christ, emphasizing Jesus’ reign as King, which is a much bigger deal than our daily dramas (Romans 8:18-25).
2. Narrow definition of sin: Sin is often reduced to individual moral failings. However, a biblical understanding reveals that sin encompasses broken relationships—not just broken rules—thus demanding a broader perspective that includes social, cultural, and institutional dimensions.
3. Reduction of salvation: Salvation is frequently framed as merely a ticket to heaven, ignoring its comprehensive nature, which includes healing, restoration, and wholeness both in this life and the next.
4. Focus on souls over bodies: The typical Evangelical perspective often prioritizes the soul at the expense of the body. Yet, the gospel affirms that God values every aspect of human existence, intertwining our physical and spiritual realities.
5. Belief vs. Faith: Faith is frequently oversimplified to mere belief. True faith encompasses trust and allegiance to Jesus, necessitating a relationship that extends beyond intellectual assent.
6. Hell as Motivation: A troubling aspect of Evangelical teaching is the reliance on the fear of hell to motivate faith. Such tactics can undermine a genuine relationship with God, focusing more on avoidance of punishment than on love for God and His ways.
7. Sacramentalising the Sinner’s Prayer: The sinner’s prayer has been treated almost as a sacrament, which simplifies the profound process of coming to faith. While many may find personal significance in it, equating this prayer with salvation can be misleading.
8. Jesus as Saviour vs. Lord: The notion that one can accept Jesus solely as Saviour, without recognizing Him as Lord, creates a dichotomy that is inconsistent with the biblical narrative. True salvation encompasses a commitment to His Lordship.
9. Cross Over Resurrection: While the cross is vital to the faith, the resurrection is equally—if not more—significant. The resurrection signifies the defeat of death and sin, making it the cornerstone of hope in the Christian faith.
10. Misalignment with Early Church Teachings: The gospel preached today often diverges from the message of the first-century church, which centred on the resurrection of Jesus and His authority.

So, what’s the essence of the Gospel? At its core, I believe it can be distilled to this affirmation: “The gospel is the good news that Jesus is alive, and Jesus is Lord!” Without these truths, there’s no foundation for hope or salvation.

The Cultural Context Of Faith

When I reflect on all this, I can’t help but think we need less conflict about these discussions and more constructive dialogue. Is it even possible to dive into deep about topics with sides A, B, X or Y without it all turning into a circus?

There will undoubtedly be disagreements on topics such as free will, feminism, LGBT+ rights, educational choices for children, and preferred church affiliations. However, there are also many commonalities among people and folk who want to discuss these matters passionately, but they also seek to ensure that the conversation remains productive.

A good book on the foundations of Evangelical Christianity in Australia is The Fountain of Public Prosperity: Evangelical Christians in Australian History 1740-1914, co-authored by Robert (Bob) Linder and Mark Piggin. It reveals the largely untold narrative that Evangelical Christianity has significantly influenced Australia’s history and continues to contribute to the nation’s public prosperity today.

As an Australian observing the evangelical scene, it’s interesting to see how our cultural context shapes faith and political engagement differently than in the U.S. Here are some of my thoughts on this relationship. In Australia, evangelicalism tends to be more laid-back, influenced by our multicultural society and a strong secular streak. While U.S. evangelicals often dive into cultural battles, Australian evangelicals typically approach their faith by focusing on community service and personal ethics rather than political identity.

The Intersection of Faith & Politics

The intersection of faith and politics in Australia is a bit of a wild ride! While our evangelical scene has its chill moments, you can’t ignore the Sydney Anglicans—who sometimes feel like they’re in a whole different league of intensity. It’s like trying to find a relaxed beach day when there’s a surf competition going on. As societal norms shift, the way Aussie evangelicals engage with politics, community service, and their identities can be pretty complex.

It’s definitely a topic worth exploring, especially when you consider the range of perspectives out there—some calm, some chaotic, and all uniquely Aussie. Additionally, there’s a segment of the population, particularly among boomers, that holds onto outdated views and struggles with multiculturalism, often driven by fear of the unknown and the limitations of ignorance.

This cultural vibe encourages open dialogue, making it easier than it was a decade ago for Australians to address challenging topics. While disagreements certainly exist, the emphasis is on building bridges rather than drawing lines in the sand. It’s a refreshing shift from the often-polarized evangelical conversations found elsewhere. So, although some discussions can get heated, Australians generally strive for constructive conversations rather than shouting matches. It’s all about staying genuine and finding common ground!

A Higher Vision For Nations

Could you imagine the Republicans and Democrats actually working together? It’d be like trying to mix oil and water—just messy! I mean, picture Trump trying to have a heart-to-heart with Kamala. It would be like watching two kangaroos trying to tango; someone’s going to get trampled! The mainstream media tends to favor Harris in Australia with the exception of Sky News, this is because Murdoch owns most of our media, but if you get your news from X, you’ll see a new wave of “public journalists” reporting what you won’t see in the mainstream headlines like “Biden-Harris administration throws money around like confetti at a parade”—funding wars, squeezing the economy tighter than a pair of skinny jeans, and letting asylum seekers in like they’re trying to score votes for a reality show. Honestly, from Australia, the US seems like a circus, and we’re all just praying for a few clowns to retire from both sides.

Public trust in mainstream media is much stronger in Australia than in the U.S. Despite a post-COVID nosedive, can you believe that 48% of Australians still trust traditional outlets, and a surprisingly high 57% have faith in commercial media (Trust and Satisfaction in Australian Democracy survey report, 2023). Meanwhile, only 46% trust their national government—hardly a vote of confidence! A recent survey found that just 32% of Americans have “a great deal” or “a fair amount” of confidence in media reporting (Axios, 2023). Historically speaking, this echoes Pilate’s handling of justice, where political manipulation had the Pharisees and the crowd losing faith faster than you can say “coup d’état,” swayed by flashy rhetoric and misinformation (Matthew 27, Mark 15).

Aussies, with their laid-back “she’ll be right, mate” attitude, might just shrug off these issues, but it still raises eyebrows about the integrity of our institutions. These days, we need to hold our Bible and newspaper hand in hand, navigating the murky waters of truth. Personally, I get my news from X, as I hardly believe the “fake news” mainstream media. Our government recently attempted to introduce misinformation bills in Australia to regulate free speech. While these efforts have been blocked by the Liberal Party for now, it’s a matter of concern since we don’t have a First Amendment. Given this circus of skepticism, I can’t help but ask: if Trump wins, will the Democrats certify the election, or will they go into TDS mode and throw a tantrum worthy of an Oscar nomination, and erupt into civil war? Sorry, I couldn’t help myself! As someone who also studied finance, I am all for a strong economy over tampons in men’s bathrooms! 

Religious Fervor Within American Ideologies

What I find particularly intriguing, which I mentioned in an article I published a few weeks ago titled “The deity of X.com”, is that the rise of secular ideologies is often infused with a religious fervour. The intensity with which advocates defend their beliefs, often dismissing opposing views, mirrors behaviors seen in traditional religious groups. Just as devout followers of established religions resist questioning their core beliefs, those entrenched in “woke” or “political” culture can display a similar unwillingness to entertain differing opinions. As empty pews signify a retreat from traditional communal spaces, the emergence of fervent ideological movements may reflect a quest for belonging and meaning in an increasingly complex world. However, this transformation can also heighten polarization and division, as individuals cling to rigid beliefs that leave little room for dialogue or understanding, effectively replacing one form of rigidity with another.

This shift prompts the question: Are we merely exchanging one form of rigidity for another? While traditional religions offered structured beliefs and a sense of community, the decline of religious affiliation has left many churches in the West with empty pews. In their place, new secular ideologies often emerge, presenting equally inflexible frameworks rooted in contemporary social issues.

Australia’s Landscape

In recent political events, Australian evangelicals have played significant roles in debates surrounding marriage equality and climate action. For example, the 2017 postal survey on same-sex marriage highlighted a division among evangelicals: many advocated for love and inclusion, while others remained staunch in their traditional views. This split reflects the evolving nature of faith in the public sphere.

Like many places worldwide, Australian churches are facing challenges such as declining attendance and growing secularism. This shift has prompted some evangelicals to reconsider their approach to public life, prioritizing authenticity and social justice over political power. 

Australian evangelicals also strive to build relationships with other faith communities, emphasizing dialogue and collaboration instead of division. This approach fosters a sense of shared responsibility in addressing societal issues and showcases a more inclusive perspective that contrasts with some evangelical movements in other parts of the world. While we share some similarities with our American counterparts, our unique cultural context, political priorities, and community dynamics create a distinctive tapestry. 

The political landscape in Australia itself is marked by distinct parties that resonate with different segments of the evangelical community. The Liberal Party, represented by blue, aligns with conservative values, while the Labor Party, symbolized by red, embodies social democracy and progressive policies. The term “woke” has become associated primarily with the Labor Party, especially in urban centres like Melbourne, where social justice initiatives—such as woke “white privilege” training for government staff—are increasingly introduced.

This political diversity highlights that Australian evangelicals are not a homogenous group. Some prioritize traditional values without extensive political activism, while others champion progressive causes, reflecting a growing trend among younger evangelicals toward social engagement.

Recent census data reveals a striking trend in Australia’s religious landscape: 38.9% of Australians now identify as having no religion—up from 30.1% in 2016 (ABS Religious affiliation in Australia, 2022). It’s like we’ve collectively decided that religion is so last season! This raises an intriguing question: why does the U.S. still have a tight grip on Christianity while Australia leans more toward secularism? The ongoing tussle between the “nones” and Christians showcases a broader cultural shift, highlighting the need for evangelicals to reassess their roles in public life—because, let’s be honest, the old playbook just isn’t cutting it anymore.

This decline in religious affiliation is prompting Australian evangelicals to rethink their approach to societal engagement. Many are embracing a more nuanced understanding of faith, one that prioritizes authenticity, social justice, and community service over just chasing political power. It’s a refreshing change, reflecting a genuine desire to connect with an increasingly secular society—because at the end of the day, it’s all about making a difference, not just making headlines!

A Prime Minister Case Study

Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison serves as an interesting case study for the interplay between evangelical faith and political leadership. As a Pentecostal Christian, Morrison’s faith informed his political decisions, yet his recent book, “Plans for Your Good”, reveals a common evangelical tendency: cherry-picking isolated verses of Scripture out of context. For example, when referencing Jeremiah’s promise of good plans for Israel, Morrison overlooks the broader context that includes communal accountability and the implications of suffering.

Morrison’s focus on individual faith can come across as tone-deaf, particularly when discussing the ongoing struggles of Indigenous Australians or those affected by systemic injustices, such as LGBT+ individuals. By prioritizing personal morality, he risks overlooking the communal aspects of faith that are crucial for understanding the complexities of suffering in society. His comments on forgiveness and grace, though meaningful, can seem overly simplistic if disconnected from the need for genuine confession, reparations, and reconciliation. I see a similar issue with Trump, which I think is why many of my MCC friends in the U.S. align with the Democratic Party.

This raises critical questions about the nature of suffering and God’s role in human affairs. If God has a plan for everyone, how does one reconcile the existence of suffering? This inquiry often leads to the troubling theological stance that suffering is a result of individual failure to align with God’s plan, effectively blaming the victim.

Global Polarization & Pop-Up Shops

Polarization is a major issue in both the Australian and global political landscape, and the evangelical community is not immune. The divide between conservative evangelicals and more progressive voices has become increasingly pronounced. This division reflects broader societal trends, where discussions often become entrenched, leaving little room for dialogue or mutual understanding.

Morrison’s views seem to overlook a key point: many Christians actively champion social justice as a core expression of their faith. Tackling systemic injustices like racism, sexism, and economic inequality is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of sin and evil within the Christian tradition. The idea that “true Christianity” can be separated from societal engagement is not just an oversimplification; it’s like trying to enjoy a barbecue without any sausages—it just doesn’t work! This mindset risks alienating those who are looking for a faith that resonates with today’s pressing issues, proving that a little social conscience can go a long way in keeping faith relevant and connected.

As traditional religious affiliations wane, secular ideologies have stepped in like a pop-up shop in a vacant storefront, eager to fill the void. This shift invites us to reflect on belief and community in a world that’s constantly evolving. Movements like “woke” culture aim to tackle social justice issues, but they can sometimes mirror the rigidity and fervour found in traditional religious groups—think of it as a new religion with hashtags instead of hymns. The intensity with which people defend their views can create a divide, making it tough to connect with those who see things differently, like trying to enjoy a concert while everyone’s arguing about the best band.

Modern Christianity’s Crossroads

Historically, religion has been a moral compass and a source of community for many. Its decline doesn’t just mean empty churches; it signals a collective search for meaning and belonging in a fast-paced, often isolating world. So, are we just swapping one set of dogmas for another? It’s way too easy to shout “preach!” in agreement and avoid the messy conversations that matter. What we need now more than ever is a dialogue that recognizes the strengths and weaknesses of both faith-based and secular approaches to social justice. In a time when connection is so crucial, the challenge lies in finding common ground—without needing a stage or a sermon.

Australian evangelicals are at a crossroads, navigating the implications of their faith in a complex political landscape that’s anything but straightforward. Recent debates over marriage equality and climate action have highlighted the diverse perspectives within the community, showcasing that not all evangelicals fit into a single mold. Many are reevaluating what it means to live out their faith in public life, leaning into authenticity and social justice rather than just toeing the party line.

What’s really interesting is how the relationship between Australian evangelicals and other faith communities is evolving. There’s a growing emphasis on dialogue and collaboration, fostering a sense of shared responsibility in tackling societal challenges. This inclusive approach stands in contrast to some evangelical movements elsewhere, where the conversation can feel more divisive. In Australia, there seems to be a recognition that working together might just be the key to making a real impact—proving that faith can be a bridge, not a barrier.

As we dive deeper into the wild ride of faith and politics in Australia, keeping the lines of communication open in the evangelical community is essential. By championing collaboration over division, Australian evangelicals can tackle societal issues more effectively—like a well-coordinated rugby team rather than a bunch of players tripping over each other. It’s all about having those tough conversations, but with a dash of respect and a sprinkle of grace and understanding—because let’s face it, a little kindness goes a long way in building an inclusive society.

Let’s Turn Up The Heat

As I bring this lengthy guest post to a close—if you’re still hanging in there—let’s take a moment to appreciate the dance between evangelical faith and politics in Australia. This intersection is like a colourful tapestry that’s always in motion, woven with threads of authenticity, social justice, and dialogue. By embracing these values, Australian evangelicals can carve out a unique path that truly reflects their cultural vibe. Together, we can seek unity in our diversity, just like pros flipping sausages at a barbecue—because in the end, that’s what it’s all about! So, what’s your secret recipe for tossing some inclusivity on the grill? How can we turn up the heat on compassion in our communities and create a brighter future for all?

Article by: Shane St Reynolds, Editor at TheGoodNewsBlog.Org