Joe Carter of the Evangelical Outpost has started collecting US evangelical blogs - people (bloggers) of like mind that wish to influence the culture. Joe calls it ‘buying a ticket.’
Evangelicals are a lot like Saul. We want to transform culture, protect religious freedom, and have an impact the lives of our neighbors. What we don’t do, however, is “buy the ticket” that will allow us to have a shot of accomplishing those goals. As Hugh Hewitt notes in his book on Christian ambition, “In a liberal democracy power, authority, and influence go only to those who seek them.” Too often, though, evangelicals only begin to seek those tools after we have already been marginalized, as has happened in the arts, the academy, and the mainstream media.
But there is still an area where evangelicals have an opportunity to solidify a foundation of influence: the blogosphere.
Concluding evangelicals are not too gifted at networking, he has started a blogroll to help bloggers establish presence and have impact. If you’d like to be successful and band together, you can join Joe’s blogroll and add the link he provides to your blog.
As the blogosphere matures it’s influence will continue to expand. It will continue to shape ideas, set political agendas, and shape culture. Christians who believe that a Biblical worldview has something important to add to the conversation cannot afford to ignore this medium. But that is what much of the church will likely do – at least until the blogosphere begins to have the same impact on society as the universities or the film industry. Then we will be rolling out the trebuchets for another cultural war siege.
But evangelicals are already within the walls. By simply coordinating our efforts we can soon become a force that won’t be easily ignored. To do so, however, we must set aside both envy and false piety. We must set aside petty jealousy when someone else’s blog has more links or gets more traffic. And we must also reject the simplistic notion that we should not strive to gain recognition for our blogging efforts. Our work should be pursued with godly ambition, helping others as we form a genuine community.
I think part of the goal is to get more evangelicals into the top tier of one of the blogosphere rating systems TTLB - The Truth Laid Bear EcoSystem. Adding the link will show support for over 100 blogs that so far have joined up and signed into what is called The Church Directory.
Published 3 years, 7 months ago
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While I think Mr. Carter’s initial premise is valid, I tend to disagree with the way in which he encourages Christians to apply it.
Salvation, very often, requires our committed efforts along with God’s grace. While it is possible for God to grant anything to anyone, particularly I believe, with regards to the young and defenceless, it would be prudent to encourage everyone to live a life of pro-active righteousness.
Simply put, test the likely consequences of your potential choices. Do they honour God? Do they love him? Do they reflect a love of self? Do they reflect a love of others? If the answers are yes to the above questions, consider it reasonable that such a choice would be the will of God for your life.
As for seeking “power and authority” in a liberal democratic context, be advised that such a desire is the domain of the spiritual principalities of darkness. A spirit that seeks to confuse and seduce people into believing that they can resolve the problems of life through personal and political means.
Christ Jesus, was wholly apolitical. His life and his ministry were the perfect example of love of God, self and people. That his legacy has had monumental personal and political implications is because of that truth, not because he came to affirm individual rights or recast political institutions.
To suggest that we should network in order to achieve secular popularity and by extension, political influence, is a huge mistake. It is being both in and of the world. Jesus never spoke to us about conforming to worldly expressions of propriety and acclaim. We are, by our loving understanding and humble submission to the will of the Father, meant to be transformers, not the transformed.
To that end, I think it is important that we dialogue so that the seekers and believers may come to a truer understanding of God’s will for our world, ourselves and our brothers and sisters. We should be looking to strenghten our existing community, increasing prayer, encouraging fasting and in all the details of our lives, big or small, giving praise and honour to Him that made us.
When we as a community, become a truer reflection of God’s Kingdom and not man’s, the Holy Spirit will influence the rest of mankind in accordance with God’s will.
Peace.
I tried very hard to use Joe’s words above and I think he’d be open to discussion.
One difficulty I have arises in the notion of culture war and political influence.
I too pause, and appreciate what you have said.
I am also wondering if the joiners are responding to what they know - (a premininary look at their demographics) It is the third attempt or fourth attempt I’ve seen over the years in the religious blogosphere to boost numbers and influence.
Like the Blogdom of God, Joe is very clear about the goals and process in his invitation.
I’ve no doubt The Church Directory will achieve the success it is seeking.