I have been outed. Some readers of my books and these daily ramblings have somehow discovered that I am, deep breath, a conservative Evangelical Christian. A blog called Disaster Area reviewed When Bad Christians Happen to Good People. A couple of things he said cracked me up. First of all, he says the book is by “a guy called Dave Burchett.” That also happens to be my name so that may well be the reason I am called Dave Burchett. Secondly, he oddly states that I am “apparently an Emmy winner in sports broadcasting.” Apparently? But the biggest revelation against a guy called Dave Burchett who has apparenlty written this book is this breaking news. (emphasis is his) “However, it becomes clear about halfway through the book that by Christians he means North American Fundamentalist Evangelical Christians.” I guess they are on to me. Feedback to my post about Richard Dawkins noted the following with this quote which I have reproduced exactly as it appeared. “The article also trys to make Dawkins look bad (I’d guess because the author is religious motivated).” Busted! I should have known they would figure out that a website called “Confessions of a Bad Christian” is, in fact, a Christian site. How did I think I would get away with this?
When I became aware that word of my Evangelical Christianity was out I went to the secret underground bunker where we all meet to plan how to advance our agenda.
“I have been Valerie Plumed!” I told the group.
“They know?”, they asked.
“I’m afraid so. Should I come clean?”
They looked horrified. “You mean tell them your agenda?”
“Yes,” I said boldly. “I am going to lay out my entire agenda so there will be no doubt.”
So here it is. I certainly don’t speak for all Evangelical Christians but I think I just might represent a number of them. So here is what I believe and my entire agenda.
I believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I believe the Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God. I believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, His sinless life, and miracles. I believe in His atoning death, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory. I believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
Let me tell you what this particular evangelical Christian does not believe…
I do not believe you have to be a Republican to be a Christian despited accusations to the contrary by some of my critics. Like it or not, heaven will be bipartisan and I am totally fine that there will not be sides of the golden aisles.
I do not believe that God is “judging” America for any particular sin. But if He is judging this country I would suspect it is for the massive squandering of wealth and resources that we have been blessed with while giving back an average of less than three percent.
I do not believe in ranking sins for their offensiveness to a Holy God. Some things are more offensive to us but all sin is equally intolerable to a Holy God.
I do not believe that censorship, boycotts, or politics will redeem this culture…only a spiritual renewal can accomplish such redemption.
I do not believe that it is my place to relish or desire eternal punishment for others. I am willing to leave that to a righteous and just God who sees the real heart and motives for each one of us and Who will judge justly.
And finally, here is my complete agenda.
To try and see everyone through the eyes of Jesus because my eyes are prejudiced and prideful.
To try and love them like Jesus because my love is selfish.
To let them others know that my relationship with Jesus has changed my life, given my life purpose, given me strength to endure tragedy, and real hope for the future.
To authentically relate how this personal relationship with the living God saved my marriage and made me a better father to my sons.
To be gentle in relating the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ to people in every situation and mired in any sin. My goal is to introduce them to Jesus and let them work out their salvation in fear and trembling.
To exhibit grace and forgiveness to those who attack me for not sharing their views.
To be an example of the living Christ to everyone I come in contact so that I can be salt and light to my little circle of influence.
To be a advocate for those wounded by the church and other Christians. Our lack of unity must grieve the Lord who prayed for unity of the body during His final agonizining hours before His betrayal, mock trial, and crucifixion.
To try to never be surprised or repulsed by the actions of those who do not have a relationship with Jesus. The Lord Himself was always gentle with sinners and always tough on religious hypocrites. We have reversed his example far too often. We are too tough on sinners and too gentle with the hypocrites.
To try and give generously of my time and treasure to those who have not been as materially blessed in my neighborhood, my country, and around the world.
To let people know that I love Jesus and I am not at all ashamed of that fact.
In short, I am praying to be a “troublesome” Christian. It is easy to dismiss the hypocrite. No problem to ignore the angry and judgmental religious types. But I was troubled when I saw some Christians who displayed something different in their lives. I could not dismiss so readily the joy, peace, strength, courage, and love they modeled. They were “troublesome” Christians to me. I could not ignore them because their lives were authentic and different (different good, not weird). I want to be that kind of Christian. That is my agenda. Sorry if I have disappointed you conspiracy types. But I have come completely clean with you. My entire agenda is to be a “troublesome” Christian because Jesus is transforming my life every day. There…I feel better. I am glad you finally know the truth.
kirkman
I stumbled across this while trying to figure just how in the world am I suppose to forgive Christians that at one time I admired felt bonded with and had such a strong belief in . Its not easy to forget that a leaders leaders aka pastor of a electronic church a well known pay board actually did the most hurtful thing ever to me at a time I really could have used tremendous spiritual support . As I sit just grieving to read about pastor Greg Laurie loosing his son , my mind goes back to a time I buried 3 immediate family members and needed spiritual support from a thought to be beloved forever family omega letter pastor Jack kinsella , where was Hal where was everyone ? I had spent years upholding believing in and paying suport toward their ministries !!! I was banned from the only Christian church I had at the time for over posting , how ridiculous it all seems in the face of tragedy death . I have really been at the end of my own spear for quite some time ,and some times I just don’t know why even later years now 3 going on 4 Im not sure how I will ever really get past some things in my spiritual life . I just know it makes a good difference to know that some are real like what you write , I just still find I have a unreal numbness when I think of what it is to face major life changing events and to know my pastor never cared at all he just had a cold hard heart even when I one day phoned coffee was more important !!! I think who was I ever to them ? and talk about feeling like the biggest fool in the world to have believed so much in them as being real people that were real toward all people me included !!! yes some things are very hard to forget and forgive . I am one of the walking wounded throw aways that just received maybe the worst some politically incorrect could offer . Not much else to say that numbness just never leaves and I just always hold on through it praying Jesus you gonna give up on me and throw me away like Jack did if I talk to you . I just cant remember anything much but the sound of silence for several years , am I even still christian ? maybe it just took that long to feel connected to something real someone real
Patricia
yes, I admit it..I’m an evangelical too. I used to be Catholic though.
Lonnie Fuson
Oh darn Dave now you’ve gone and done it. Now the rest of us will have to come out too. I was wondering why so many people were looking at me so oddly yesterday. It was becasue I had a copy of your book BRING EM BACK ALIVE. Now they know about me as well. OK….me too, I’m an Evangelical too….
Mark Marsden
That’s pretty good Dave. Maybe it’s harder for Republicans to be Christians 😉 Some religious people (I hope it’s not me) are going to be pretty surprised when Jesus says "Depart from me for I never knew you".
I really wonder if Jesus will prefer the good-hearted incorrectly religious to the offensive correctly religious ie I’ve met some lovely Catholics and some obnoxious Evangelicals. Maybe you can write a book about that.
BTW I think you’ve almost written a book in your blogs.
missy
I think I’ll do this…write down my "agenda."
I like what you said "the Lord was gentle with sinners yet tough on hypocrites" most. It makes me cry sometimes when I think of Christ’s life.. how he cared for and comforted the least.
Yes, it takes a different part of the brain to absorb it because it smacks in the face of rational and reasonal thought.
Thank you.
Angie
Hey Big Dave!! Sorry they found you out!! But you have definitely hit the mark you were shooting for–you are pretty troublesome at times. I have to admit, I have to scratch my head and think with a different part of my brain–or maybe it’s my heart–when I read you. I hope the more time my family spends with the Burchetts the more troublesome we become, too. Love ya!