DD

(picking up on my other comment)

3. Donald Miller and Joel Hunter are presented as evangelicals. In my original post, I put that term in parenthesis because their prayers show they represent more the agenda of a political party than a representation of evangelicals. I feel liberty to speak with some degree of certainty that Edwards, Whitefield, and the Wesley brothers would not prayed thus. Neither would Ockenga, Henry, Lloyd-Jones, Stott, or Graham. I realize it is a shame that the leader “evangelical” spokesman on the right is a psychologist (Dobson), but the liberal counterpart is equally less desirable and reflective of who evangelicals are and what they believe. Miller and Hunter, though presumably considered as mainstream among evangelicals, are at best on the fringe of the evangelical left. The re-imaging and extreme makeover works in politics but not in substance.

4. I remember have conversations with intelligent, fair-minded liberal friends who sincerely believed that Bush manipulated the evangelical bloc to win the presidency. I don’t know. They may have been right. But there is no doubt that Obama is not an evangelical. The liberation theology he has imbibed from Jeremiah Wright has friendly theological language but an altogether different definition. Incidentally enough, the content of the prayers by Hunter and Miller reflect much of the character of liberation theology and little of evangelical theology. And it is quite remarkable that Miller admits to being used by some politicians and seems to be fine with that. Imagine evangelicals praying a prayer with talking points from the RNC headquarters. I can hear McLaren, Wallis, Sider, and others hollerin’ on MSNBC now.

5. Prayer is fundamentally vertical. You are talking to God about things that mater to God. Paul’s praying is a great example of this. He prays according to God’s will because he has invested himself in knowing and doing God’s will. Miller’s and Hunter’s prayers were almost entirely horizontal about societal and governmental issues. I am not saying that such issues are not matters of prayer, but they did not speak to God or represent God-like concerns (chiefly the glory of His Son) in their prayers. Christ is only an example, not our one and only Savior. Such talk, I suppose, is reserved for evangelicals who are intolerant by saying that Jesus is the only way.

For the record, I am not a fan of McCain or the Republican party. I am just tired by the doublespeak on both ends, the misrepresentation of evangelicals by both parties, and the prostituting of the Christian faith for votes. Please don’t drape Jesus in a Christian flag or pretend like he is saying “yes we can!”. My guess is that he is saying, “No you can’t!”

You are probably right. I should have paid more attention!

1. You will continue from the evangelical left a lot of emphasis on inclusivism and an over-realized eschatology (kingdom-now). For so long, I have heard about the syncretism of conservatives who merge Americanism with Christianity. Ironically, I am see the same syncretism of American politics with our Christian identity, only this time it is from the left.

2. Regarding the closing of Dr. Hunter’s prayer, I found something really perplexing. While he directed everyone to pray in whatever name to whatever god they desire to, he himself prayed in the name of Jesus. Does anyone else find this hypocritical? You prescribe inclusivism but you practice (in prayer) exclusivism. In the very effort to be “tolerant” Dr. Hunter was being offensive and intolerant by praying in Jesus’ name. You cannot have it both ways. Scripture offers no alternative but for the exclusivity and supremacy of Jesus Christ, and to subordinate him as though he has an equal is to capitulate on the foundation of our Christian faith. Jesus Christ is Lord.

I share more later. Just wanted to toss a few thoughts into the mix.

The Democrat Gospel of Obamesiah, is quite a differnt Gospel.

I understand your confusion brother. But I am inclined to believe that the email exchange is real. But then again, I could be played the fool as well! I have another video of Miller that I will post in a couple of days where he speaks about abortion just prior to his prayer at the DNC. Miller is wildly popular among the 20-somethings who have read his books, most notably Blue Like Jazz. I don’t agree with him on a lot of things, but his influence is real nonetheless.

Excuse my naivete, but the link to the email exchange was simply a writers fictional cleverness, right? I’m embarrassed to even have to ask. I read the Christianity Today interview and I am still wondering what is fiction and what is non-fiction.

Seriously, help me out here. If it is satire (the email exchange); does Mr. Miller actually think this will help the cause–whatever the “cause” is in his mind.

Help!!!!!! Seriously–I am totally 100% confused.