Is Jim Wallis an Evangelical Christian? (Vanity)

Curiosity | 2/15/2005 | Juan Medén

[Juan Medén]

The media have been trotting out Jim Wallis as their alternative for values-oriented voters. He is consistently described as an evangelical Christian but many of his views (pro-abortion, pro-homosexuality, pro-Islam) are clearly not Christian.

[Juan Medén]

I have tried to track down what "evangelical" church Jim Wallis belongs to and so far have come up empty. The media have been trotting out Jim Wallis as their alternative for values-oriented voters. He is consistently described as an evangelical Christian but many of his views (pro-abortion, pro-homosexuality, pro-Islam) are clearly not Christian. Several of the brief bio's available on the internet refer to his begin raised in an evangelical church but never mention which one. Nor do they mention which "evangelical" church he attends now. Does any one have any information on this fella? Where he comes from, what church he belongs to and by what right he can call himself an evangelical Christian?

[AppyPappy]

It's a facade. They are trying to redefine terms after the election.

[Juan Medén]

I agree. I feel like this guy needs to be debunked. Pajamahedeen to the rescue!

[LauraleeBraswell]

That's like asking if Osama Bin Laddin is an Evangelical Christian.

[Bombardier]

The LSM are pulling a fast one. They're counting on people not being bright enough to differentiate between a real Evangelical, such as Jerry Falwell or John Hagee, and a faux Evangelical, such as this Wallis.

The last gasps of the LSM thought control machinery. Someone needs to drive a stake through their hearts and bury them in cement.

[PresbyRev]

His background is Plymouth Brethren; he attended Trinity Evangelical Divinity School - but as you note, finding any information about denominational affiliation/accountablity on Wallis usually yields no more than, 'Sojourners.'

[yatros from flatwater]

Check out this link to Wallis' magazine Sojourners. It speaks clearly of his stance, which is firmly within the "social justice" camp.

[KC_Conspirator]

Nobody can be for gay marraige and then say they are for family values. Wallis is a fraud.

[Juan Medén]

That's right. He is frequently described as a preacher but his church is never listed. What's going on?

[AppyPappy]

Ask him if Jesus is the only path to Salvation. He'll squirm like a maggot in a ham hock.

[johnny7]

Yeah... I know.

The Perpetual Bleeding Heart of Liberal Dyslexia

[KC_Conspirator]

It's a facade. They are trying to redefine terms after the election.

Yes, they do the same thing with national security, trying to tell people that they are patriotic even though they hate America. No one is buying that crap either.

[Juan Medén]

His support of other religions and inter-religious dialogue seems to be his answer to that. He appears to be a Christian of convenience.

[DannyTN]

The left thinks the right is as shallow as they are and all they have to do is throw out the term "evangelical" and they will win elections.

That the left is having to describe themselves as "evangelical" is a very positive sign for our country.

The fact that many voters might actually fall for the left's tactic and not look deeper at the issues is always worrisome.

[johnny7]

Ha... an Islamic maggot!

[keats5]

He was on Hannity and Colmes with Jerry Falwell the other day. Falwell said the same thing. He looks good on the surface, but hedged on his stance on the same issues you mentioned, abortion and gay marriage. Eventually, it came out that he supported both.

[MissMagnolia]

He was on the radio with Hannity and Jerry Falwell yesterday, I believe. Falwell tried repeatedly to pin him down. He finally admitted he's not evangelical, but belongs to an 'independent' church in Maryland - can't remember the name, but it had 'Cedar' in it. When Falwell asked him what time the services were on Sunday, Wallis said they met on Wednesday. It seems they don't have Sunday services and Wallis was obviously uncomfortable and evasive - Falwell blew him off at that point - deservedly so. Wallis was stuck on 'poverty' as an issue - didn't want to talk about abortion or gay marriage. He also didn't want to admit he'd been giving the Dems any sort of advice on how to 'talk values' since the Dems obviously have few they can demonstrate. I found him to be a typical lib, while proclaiming to be a Christian the whole time. If that's all the Dems have, they're in more trouble, not less.

[Juan Medén]

Somebody needs to rat this rat out.

[Juan Medén]

I suspected as much. Thanks for the info.

[ThisLittleLightofMine]

I read an article on him in ChristianityToday, he doesn't scare me, but he is scary....he will make ground with many that are Christian in name only Republicans.