A Reflection from the Rev. Robby Vickery, Assisting Clergy
Dear People of St. James’,
Being immersed in this election season we hear the word “evangelical” bantered about a great deal, frequently with the adjective “white” in front of it. “Evangelical” is a loaded word with religious and political connotations. To some it is a positive term; to others a negative.
So, let us look at this word more closely. “Evangelical” has its root in the Greek word “euangelion” which became the Latin word “evangelium” and means simply “good news.” In its narrowest sense, an “evangelical” is a person who values the “good news.” An “evangelist” is one who shares the good news with others.
What is the news that is good? Our Episcopal eucharistic prayer has a simple formulation of the good news that comes right out of the New Testament:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
Yes, there is real suffering in the world. There are Covid-19 and systemic racism, war and desperate refugee camps, unemployment and poor health care, homelessness and hunger. Our sins contribute to this suffering. God in Jesus Christ knows that in the world we have tribulation, but in Christ’s resurrection God has overcome the world. This does not mean that as God’s people we do not experience suffering. On the contrary, taking up our cross and following Jesus may mean that we experience more than our share of suffering. However, when Christ comes again, he will establish the reign of God where all the suffering will be redeemed. This is breaking in now. This is good news indeed. This is a message that our hurting, despairing world longs to hear.
As the Book of the Prophet Isaiah proclaims, “How beautiful … are the feet of [those] who bring good news.” True evangelists are beautiful; true evangelicals are blesséd. There are certainly evangelicals and evangelists who have a very narrow and exclusive understanding of the good news and who is included in it. Such can pervert the good news into a weapon for power over others rather than an instrument of peace. However, I refuse to concede the terms “evangelical” and “evangelist” to them. I claim them. I am an evangelical. I am an evangelist. I invite you to be one too.
When you and I say our prayers and give our attention to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit will guide us to others who are hurting and hungering for God just like we are. With gentleness and humility share the good news of what God has done, is doing, and shall do in Christ. This does not mean to get them to give intellectual assent to doctrinal positions. To share the good news is to invite them to come deeper and deeper into a relationship with the Father of our Lord Jesus and with other sisters and brothers in the fellowship of the church. To share the good news is to invite them into a way of life, abundant life. This way of life is not conservative. It is radical and has threatened those who have eyes but do not see since the first century. As the St. James’ Sunday morning Adult Forum has recently studied, Paul’s opponents accused him of having “turned the world upside down.” My favorite definition of evangelism is “one hungry beggar telling another hungry beggar where to find food.” This gets rid of the spiritual one-ups-manship and the I’ve-got-something-you-need that infects all too many evangelicals.
So, when the Holy Spirit gives you the opening, invite somebody to join you in worship or study or fellowship. This may be strange to do in Covid times, but in these times the invitation to deeper relationship with God and the faith community may be all the more important. St. James’ is a community worth inviting people into. Be a true evangelical. The work is too important and scriptural to leave to the heavy handed and hard hearted.
The Rev. Robby Vickery
