With Your Own Eyes: Reflecting on the Christian Evangelical Movement

In response to the passing of Evangelical leader Billy Graham this past month, I have been reflecting on the movement he was a part of.  In modern media, depending on one's point of view, the Evangelical Movement may represent either the best or worst humanity has to offer.  I have little interest in debating the Evangelical Movement's influence on the world, but I like to dialogue about the history and structure of this growing movement.  In a modern world where ideas are rapidly shared, we should understand the complexity of the Evangelical Movement:

A part of the Evangelical Movement is no longer just a movement, but Evangelicalism, a nondenominational worldview within Christianity, which goes beyond the core values taught in the the Christian Gospels and Epistles. 

While this last statement might have stirred up emotion and potentially rebuke from some readers, take time to reflect.  Read the following article, published more than 10 years ago, about the identity crisis that is the Evangelical Movement, long before it was cool to debate the meaning of "Evangelical":

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/16/weekinreview/evangelicals-debate-the-meaning-of-evangelical.html

My goal isn't to sow doubt or negative discord among Evangelicals.  Although Evangelicals share their faith with others, the Evangelical Movement makes clear that truth is not revealed by those who claim they have the truth.  Rather, the Holy Spirit calls out to look "with your own eyes", as seen when Moses claims that the Israelites' sins will prevent him from seeing the promised land:

26 But because of you the Lord was angry with me and would not listen to me. “That is enough,” the Lord said. “Do not speak to me anymore about this matter. 27 Go up to the top of Pisgah and look west and north and south and east. Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross this Jordan. 28 But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.” - Deuteronomy 3:26-28 (NIV)

Seeing is believing.  Moses sees the promised land.

This verse reflects the foundation of the Evangelical Movement. Like Moses, Billy Graham will not live during the final, last steps of his movement's journey. However, by the grace of God, Moses and Graham  both saw and are therefore in the promised land. This promise is not just made available to Graham, but to all who believe in Christ. Graham's fellow evangelicals see themselves as, like Joshua, the commissioned who will continue to share God's blessings.

I would like to encourage my readers to come back each week this month to reflect more on the Evangelical Movement in light of Deuteronomy 3:26-28.  I don't expect my readers to follow what I believe. What I do expect is, like Moses, they look with their own eyes and determine the truth for themselves.