“Do you want to win, or are you more interested in your principles?”

Tony Jones is a leader in the emergent church movement. He supports Obama for President. In a blog post of a couple days ago, he tells of a teleconference that he and seven other unnamed "Christian leaders" (his term) had with members of Obama's religious outreach staff.

Of course, the issue of abortion came up, and there was some disagreement among the eight "Christian leaders" as to whether Obama should tackle this head-on or try to do an end run. Some felt that if Obama jumps in, he's letting the religious right set the agenda. Jones writes:

The Five continued to protest, saying that abortion is not an issue that O should deal with much. To which I replied, “Do you want to win, or are you more interested in your principles?”

Does anybody have a problem with that question?

We all know that politicians find ways to "shift" their positions in order to gain more votes. They could even be accused of changing their principles in order to win. But "Christian leaders"? Should they employ a similar approach to life?

The principles by which we live our lives define who we are. The principles by which Christians live their lives determine whether they are truly followers of the Jesus whom they claim. Fidelity to Christ and His kingdom must trump all other principles, wouldn't you think?

So when Bell asks, "Do you want to win, or are you more interested in your principles?", he is, in effect offering a conflicting principle: that winning is more important than integrity and fidelity.

Somehow, I see a tie-in with the emergent church movement. Doctrine, creeds, history, and dogma all fall to the wayside in the search for conversation, not conversion. I'm not sure what is won in the process, except a "good time had by all." Becoming all things to all men is a Biblical principle, but the driving force underlying it is that men and women would be won to Christ - not to conversation, coolness, relevance, or anything else.

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Are we willing to stick with our principles, even if that makes us "losers"?

If You Get It, Fine. If Not, Fine. Whatever.

Understanding Church Differences

Is Donald Miller a Prophet, or Just Odd?

If you're a fan of Donald Miller - or just don't get why he's so popular - you'll find this profile/interview on the Christianity Today website well worth reading.

Miller, of course, is the author of Blue Like Jazz, Searching for God Knows What, Through Painted Deserts, and To Own a Dragon.

As one who tends to think propositionally, always looking for outlines, principles, and "truths," I appreciate the balance that Miller brings in reminding me that the Gospel is first and foremost a story of God's passionate love for the world. That story has had its ups and downs, but it started with a beginning and it will finish with an end. For now, we're in the confusing middle, and there's no shortage of drama.

I think Miller is a good representation of what the "emergent church" movement would be if it were actually faithful to the Scriptures and its Author. Maybe they'll swing back that direction, when they eventually realize that it's OK to change the packaging, but not the Truth.