Am I an “Evangelical Christian”? No, emphatically no. Am I an evangelical Christian? Yes, emphatically yes. I became an evangelical Christian on Nov. 29, 1931, six weeks after I was born. My parents were farmers on the prairie of south central Minnesota.  Like Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Orthodox, Methodist and many other believers, my Lutheran parents made certain I was baptized. They believed “evangelical” meant that God takes the initiative when we become a Christian, even as an infant. First, foremost, and primarily, God makes the first move.  My parents and sponsors, as an act of faith, affirmed the beliefs of my church and promised to bring me up in a Christian environment. Along the way it became important for me to confirm what had happened on that Sunday in 1931. As a youth and on through the rest of my life I have continued to confess my faith in the presence of a Christian congregation. As an evangelical Christian I try to let that faith be seen in all I say and do. Yes, I fail all too often. But being an evangelical Christian means that I believe God forgives and helps me move on again. It’s that simple.

So why am I so emphatic in saying that I am not an “Evangelical Christian”? It’s because I now find myself living in a culture where some folks who call themselves “Evangelical Christians” are putting a very different twist on that old and revered term. They have sullied and secularized it by tacking on a political agenda. They tend to identify themselves not simply by what they believe, but by the stance they take on controversial issues. The majority of them are anti-abortion, pro-death penalty, anti-gay rights, pro-preemptive war, anti-immigration, pro-home schooling, anti-Palestinian rights, pro-Republican party, anti-Democratic party, pro-literal reading of the Bible, anti-higher taxes, and so on.  As I look over the list of things these “Evangelical Christians” espouse, I find that in some areas I agree with them. In most, I strongly disagree.

So when one applies all of this to our common life in the public square, what is the difference between being an evangelical Christian and an “Evangelical Christian”? In my opinion, it lies in the emphasis evangelical Christians put on the use of reason in relationship to their faith. A few examples:  The best auto mechanic I have ever had is a devout Roman Catholic. He never fails to do the right thing. It makes common sense to go to him.  The best diagnostic physicians I have ever had are a non-practicing Jew and an active Lutheran. Their keen minds have spared me many maladies. It seems reasonable to go to physicians like them.  The best surgeons I have ever known are a probable agnostic and a practicing Jew. Each knows exactly what to do. It seems reasonable to trust them. The best mayor I have ever known was a Lutheran socialist. His city was one of the best-governed in the country. He was reasonable in everything he did.  The best presidents of the United States, in my opinion, were a non-church member, an occasional Episcopalian, a cranky member of the Christian Church—Disciples of Christ, and a Mennonite/Presbyterian. They served effectively in times of crisis. They did what was most reasonable. Two were Republicans; two were Democrats.  In my judgment, the best former president we’ve ever had is a devout Southern Baptist.

In this election year I will be evaluating candidates, whether they are seeking local office or the presidency of the United States, on the basis of their qualifications as wise and reasonable women and men.  Do they have compassion for the poor and vulnerable? Do they understand that politics at its best is practicing the art of the possible?  Do they have the capacity to work for compromise on difficult issues?  Do they have the intelligence to see all sides of a complex question?  Do they have the physical stamina to endure the rigors of office?  Do they know how to surround themselves with a capable staff, including people who will tell them the truth?  In the presidential contest, does the candidate have the potential to become a respected statesperson in the community of nations? And will this person be likely to seek to resolve international conflict by dialogue and political negotiation, using military force only as a last resort?  If I sense that candidates for any office are dancing to the lock-step tune of the “Evangelical Christian” segment in our society, they will not get my vote. If they happen to be evangelical Christians, well and good. But that will not be a primary requirement.  An evangelical Christian? Yes. An “Evangelical Christian”? No. It’s that simple.

Herbert W. Chilstrom, St. Peter, Minn., is the former presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

I have been thinking of his words ever since and have come to the conclusion they are not only true, but are the real reason for us to celebrate Christmas. Jesus Christ came into the world, not like Santa Claus to distribute presents from heaven to all the good little girls and boys. Jesus came into this world to “reconcile people to God, and to reconcile people to people.”

Reconciliation is defined as the “reestablishing of cordial relationships” or “getting two things to correspond” such as reconciling the check book with the
bank statement. A couple who have been estranged from one another and then get back together are said to have reconciled. They reestablished a cordial
relationship after it had become stormy. Labor and management are in bitter disagreement over the terms of a labor contract but finally work things out and
“reconcile their differences.”

Reconciliation is all about creating, recreating and maintaining relationships. It is about establishing, reestablishing and maintaining community. Being in such a relationship and community with God and others IS salvation.

In the Christmas story, we hear the angel announce to Joseph that Mary would bear a son and he would save his people from their sins. We often understand that statement about being saved in a very individualistic and private way as just meaning Jesus saved me (individually) from the punishment I deserve for my sins. Salvation means God will invite me in to that private room prepared for me in God’s luxury hotel in heaven.

But salvation is really all about reconciliation TO God and to our neighbor so we no long ignore one another or worse, but we live in harmony with one another, with God and with God’s creation.

The other thing Raphael said is that reconciliation is more than just a theological idea. Reconciliation is meant to really happen among real flesh and blood people, and the starting place for this to happen for Christians is in worship.  We don’t just gather for worship for our individual edification. Our gathering
together for worship is first of all, an act of reconciliation with God and the body of Christ, the Church. That we seek forgiveness for this is the first step in being
reconciled. We share the peace and in doing so, we are reconciled to our fellow worshippers.

In the Eucharist, Christ comes to us and we are reconciled to Him. If we are not reconciled through worship, when and where do we really reconcile with God and with God’s people, the Church? We do not approach God just to get and to give. Before any of that, we come together so that in that time and that space, we are reconciled to God, and we then go forth to work for reconciliation in our world among those who now seek to avoid one another, despise one another, and yes, even kill one another.

So I say Merry Christmas to you all and invite you to come, and worship, come and be reconciled again and again, come and join in God’s mission of reconciliation.

They were colorful and very decorative.  However, we should be careful about laughing at this novel use for those toothbrushes.  I’m sure our Papua New Guinean neighbors were just as amused when they saw us Americans taking their long, straight, carefully fashioned arrows and instead of using them to hunt and fight, employed them as curtain rods.  When things were not used for what they were intended, it is sometimes humorous and sometimes even worse. 

October 21 will be Commitment Sunday for Trinity at which time we will be asked to make a statement of intent for our financial support for the ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church during 2008.  In preparation for that day and for the good of ourselves, our souls, and our neighbors, it is good for us to pause and ask of our lives, of our time, of our abilities, an dyes, also of our money, “What is it for?” And more importantly, what does God say it is for?  In Luke 12:13ff, Jesus tells about a rich man who thought it was storing in big barns to guarantee his future.  He was wrong for his future was in the hands fo God.  In Luke 16:19ff, a rich man thought is was for living sumptuously while a beggar starved at his front gate.  he, too, was tragically wrong.

Ronald E. Vallet, in his book entitled, Stepping Stones of the Steward, writes that Mark Twain concluded the people of his day lived as if money was meant to be their God.  He wrote, “Mark Twain describe the latter part of the nineteenth century--the era of the California gold rush--as the ‘gilded age.’ He hated it even though he imbibed its spirit.  In 1871, he wrote a piece known as ‘The Revised Catechism’ - a bitter twist on the Westminster Catechism:

Indeed, the grip of money in a person’s life can have a power that rightly belongs to God.”

So what does God say money, life, talents, and time are for?  They are all to be used in obedience to, and coordination with, God’s plan as made known to us in Jesus Christ to grow the Kingdom of God throughout the world.  It is for God to use in giving us our daily bread (in response to that familiar petition in the Lord’s Prayer).  It is for God to use in satisfying the hunger of the poor throughout the world.  It is for God to use in calling the world to worship God and not Gold.  It is for God to use in making Jesus’ name great, not ours.  It is for God to use in spreading God’s Word and God’s Spirit in us and through us so we bless one another instead of fearing, neglecting, and cursing one another.  It is for giving and not just getting.  As you prepare to fill out that commitment card, please ask yourself the question, “What are my life, my time, my abilities and my money for?”