“Evangelical Christians” Are Neither

The evangelical christians are willing to overlook RFK Jr documenting in explicit detail affairs with 37 different women, which ultimately led to his wife’s suicide after she found his journal, because he’s anti-vax so he’s a great guy.

— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) June 25, 2023

"Evangelical” is a word transliterated from koine Greek, it means/meant “messenger of the good news.” What good news do “evangelical Christians” bring?

Historically they style themselves on John the Evangelizer, the voice crying in the wilderness. All we know of John’s preaching is from Luke’s gospel, and it sounds like pretty harsh stuff.

John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 

8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 

9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” 

10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. 

11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” 

12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” 

13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. 

14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

Does that sound even vaguely like the teaching of any evangelical “leader” you know? Or like Donald Trump, except as the target of John’s sermon?

And “Christian” carries responsibility for moral teachings and moral example, as well as putting the needs of others ahead of the needs of one’s self.  That teaching is fundamental to the gospels, even though it is more honored in the breach than in the keeping. Which is as much honor to it as most “evangelical Christian leaders” give it.

So I have no qualms about pointing out they are neither evangelical, nor Christian, nor leaders. And they have no one but themselves to blame.