Do "cultural evangelicals" and "cafeteria evangelicals" exist?

[Anonymous]

I think (some) Evangelicals need to look at themselves in the mirror. They have become the Pharisees that the Bible warns us about and have a superiority complex over Christians they call "lukewarm" but who may actually have studied the Bible and it's actual meaning more than they have.

History shows us that growth can only come when people feel free to debate and really discuss issues. Jesus clearly wanted people to use their brains as he told his message in parables to really make people think. Censorship in the Evangelical world (churches and publishing world) means that very critical part of the faith journey is now missing. Love for God and love of neighbors has been overtaken by worship of specific parts of the Bible (instead of the overall picture of love and grace that it actually tells). If you really love people, you get to know them, you get to know their stories and you don't bash them over the head with your judgment ('logs in eyes' and all). Doesn't mean that there isn't a right and wrong but it isn't done from afar without community and relationships.

So I do think there will be some 'cultural Evangelicals' come out of this. Those who really study the Bible, it's history and it's big picture message (and find that they may disagree with some of the messages coming out of the pulpit) but still enjoy the actual worship services and community found at Evangelical churches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think (some) Evangelicals need to look at themselves in the mirror. They have become the Pharisees that the Bible warns us about and have a superiority complex over Christians they call "lukewarm" but who may actually have studied the Bible and it's actual meaning more than they have.

History shows us that growth can only come when people feel free to debate and really discuss issues. Jesus clearly wanted people to use their brains as he told his message in parables to really make people think. Censorship in the Evangelical world (churches and publishing world) means that very critical part of the faith journey is now missing. Love for God and love of neighbors has been overtaken by worship of specific parts of the Bible (instead of the overall picture of love and grace that it actually tells). If you really love people, you get to know them, you get to know their stories and you don't bash them over the head with your judgment ('logs in eyes' and all). Doesn't mean that there isn't a right and wrong but it isn't done from afar without community and relationships.

So I do think there will be some 'cultural Evangelicals' come out of this. Those who really study the Bible, it's history and it's big picture message (and find that they may disagree with some of the messages coming out of the pulpit) but still enjoy the actual worship services and community found at Evangelical churches.

No, Jesus did not speak in parables to "really make people think." Reference Mark 4:11, Matthew 13:11, Luke 8:10. Jesus spoke in parables so that those who trusted in Him would have spiritual understanding that those who rejected Him would lack. It was a way to teach those who believed. Reference further 1 Corinthians 2, wherein Paul writes that those who do not believe in Christ have spiritual blindness, where those who believe in Christ are enlightened by the Holy Spirit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And I also know evangelicals who don't attend church but consider themselves devout.

How are they "devout" if they can't be bothered to attend weekly services?

Did you read Hillbilly Elegy?