"Evangelical Christians in America face a historic opportunity. We make up fully one quarter of all voters in the most powerful nation in history. Never before has God given American evangelicals such an awesome opportunity to shape public policy in ways that could contribute to the well-being of the entire world. Disengagement is not an option.  We must seek God’s face for biblical faithfulness and abundant wisdom to rise to this unique challenge."

...

As sinners who are thankful for God’s grace, we know that we do not always live up to our civic responsibility. Christians must approach political engagement with humility and with earnest prayer for divine guidance and wisdom. Because power structures are often entrenched, perfect solutions are unobtainable. Because cultural changes produce problems that are often not amenable to legislative solutions, we must not expect political activity to achieve more than it can. Because social systems are complex and our knowledge is incomplete, we cannot predict all the effects of laws, policies, and regulations. As a result, we must match our high ideals with careful social analysis and critical reflection on our experience in order to avoid supporting policies that produce unintended and unfortunate consequences.

We will differ with other Christians and with non-Christians over the best policies. Thus we must practice humility and cooperation to achieve modest and attainable goals for the good of society. We must take care to employ the language of civility and to avoid denigrating those with whom we disagree. Because political work requires persuasion and cooperation with those who do not share our Christian commitment, we must offer a reasoned and easy-to-grasp defense of our goals.

When we as Christians engage in political activity, we must maintain our integrity and keep our biblical values intact. While we may frequently settle for “half-a-loaf,” we must never compromise principle by engaging in unethical behavior or endorsing or fostering sin. As we rightly engage in supporting legislation, candidates and political parties, we must be clear that biblical faith is vastly larger and richer than every limited, inevitably imperfect political agenda and that commitment to the Lordship of Christ and his one
body far transcends all political commitments.

...

We commit ourselves to support Christians who engage in political and social action in a manner consistent with biblical teachings. We call on Christian leaders in public office or with expertise in public policy and political life, to help us deepen our perspective on public policy and political life so that we might better fulfill our civic responsibility.

Hmmm...what do y'all think of this document?  I guess I'm wondering about the FLIPSIDE of the underlined part above.  Does this mean that the NAE Governmental Affairs will commit to NOT support Christians who engage in political and social action that is CLEARLY NOT "in a manner consistent with biblical teachings"?  Like that whole "Axis of Evil" nonsense?  Hmmm...

Post Edited (One Love) : 5/1/2010 5:39:56 AM (GMT-5)

Side Issue...

Hey, Tom. It appears we lucked out. Big time. See here...from the NAE's Statement of Faith...

We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful people, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.

and...

We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.

WE CAN SAY BOTH OF THESE WITH INTEGRITY, DUDE! (Revelation 21, Prodigals coming from "damnation" into the Holy City, No one can say "Jesus is Lord" but by the Holy Spirit, etc)

More than enough "wiggle" room to be card-carrying Evangelicals. How about that? So, there should be NO PROBLEMS with the ECC.

Post Edited (One Love) : 5/1/2010 6:04:40 AM (GMT-5)