As I see it, having been born in state of Georgia in 1952, the contemporary ‘evangelical’ movement began as a reaction to the racial integration of the schools in the early 1970’s. People wanted to withdraw their children from public schools, and churches comprised the only available vehicle for creating enough affordable private schools. Thus, today’s evangelical movement began as bigots and racists seeking to convince themselves and others that in reality they were and are just good Christians — too good to be in the public schools.

[Just a few years ago the Southern Baptist Convention voted on making it a sin to send one’s children to public schools. Seriously. It did not pass, but the proposition did make it to a vote. To give credit where it is due, however, last summer the Convention voted — with Vice President Pence in uninvited and mostly unwelcomed attendance — to condemn President Trump’s stance on immigration.]

‘Evangelicals’ have sought one issue after another as a vehicle for gaining converts in their quest for political power: busing to achieve integration of the schools, prayer in schools, displays of their religious beliefs in governmental offices and functions, etc. Abortion has been the most successful issue so far.

They have fallen in love with political power. Now there will always be another political issue that requires their attention.

That evangelicals themselves refer to “evangelicalism,” not “evangelism,” tells us all we need to know. This is about them and their lust for power, not evangelizing for Christ — who was totally, completely, absolutely apolitical.