Feature
Chuck Colson vs. The Fundamentalists
How political can you get?
(Page 2 of 2)
But it is one thing to say that the fundamentalists arrived at the public square reluctantly, and another thing to say that once they got there their inhibitions remained. This is what the fundamentalists’ defenders have tried to argue. “At heart, Falwell remains a country preacher,” wrote Dinesh D’Souza in his recent biography. Glazer too argues that the fundamentalists are engaged in a “defensive offensive” with limited aims. “If we withdraw from imposing the views and the beliefs of the cosmopolitan elite on the whole country,” he concludes, “we will find the new fundamentalism returning to its modest role in the American kaleidoscope.” Neuhaus, although he concedes that the activist fundamentalists “are not going to go back to the wilderness,” stresses the modesty of their eventual goals: “…the country cousins have shown up in force at the family picnic. They want a few rules changed right away. Other than that they promise to behave, provided we do not again try to exclude them from family deliberations.”
This is a seductive argument, especially for those with an interest in quieting what Neuhaus calls the “increasingly hysterical and increasingly hollow alarm” over the religious right. Yet — and this is Colson’s strongest point — it does not ring true, not so long as Jerry Falwell turns from TV evangelism to international ambulance chasing or Pat Robertson hungrily awaits word from God on whether to run for the presidency. There is simply too much eagerness in fundamentalist political activity — the exploitation of direct mail, the proliferation of PACs, the slick and lavish promotional efforts. They may have been pushed into politics, but now they like the game an awful lot. Tim LaHaye has on the cover of his monthly “Report from the Nation’s Capital” a picture of himself on the Senate steps. Is he troubled? Is he tight-lipped? No, he’s smiling, and somehow that seems entirely appropriate.
THE FACT IS THAT in some sense fundamentalism has always been a political movement waiting to happen. Historian Edwin Orr points out that the appeal of modern evangelicalism is for “enlistment, not repentance” — in other words, that evangelists have always exploited Christianity’s populist characteristics, its potential as a social movement, at the expense of the more demanding aspects of Protestant theology. Even as it has been in reaction to secular America, fundamentalist culture has shown a marked ability to adapt to social trends. Evangelical historian George Marsden calls this a historic propensity to respond to secularization “by bless[ing] its manifestations — such as materialism, capitalism, and nationalism — with Christian symbolism.” In the fifties that meant that Oral Roberts, in preaching to a largely rural and poor audience, recast the gospel into a variation of the American dream. His text was John 3:2 — “I wish above all things that thou may prospereth and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” — not the book of Job. And today? Consider the two rules from Pat Robertson’s 1982 manifesto The Secret Kingdom. This is yuppie theology: “First, there is absolute abundance in the kingdom of God. Second, it is possible to have total favor with the ruler of that abundance…. If a person is continuously in sickness, poverty, or other physical or mental straits, then he is missing the truths of the Kingdom.” As Notre Dame historian Nathan Hatch sums up the modern evangelists: “[They] spoke the language of peace of mind in the 1950s, developed a theology of ‘body-life’ and community in the wake of the 1960s, and are currently infatuated with a gospel of self-esteem that correlates precisely with the contemporary passion for self-fulfillment.”
In other words, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the fundamentalists have taken to the political process so quickly and completely. That strain in fundamentalism that believes in an abundant God, what Colson calls the notion of God as a “rich and benevolent uncle,” has easily adapted to modern America’s emphasis on acquiring and using political power. If prosperity is the gift of God, then so must be the political clout that comes with it. Do the fundamentalist meek still inherit the earth? Pat Robertson, the Christian entrepreneur made good, doesn’t seem to think so. “God uses oak trees,” he says, somewhat obscurely, “not mushrooms.” For Tim LaHaye, making it in America means making it in Washington. Power is a Christian birthright. “If we comprise thirty percent of the people in this country,” he maintains, “we should hold thirty percent of the elected offices.”
This is a dangerous attitude for the Christian witness. For some on the religious right, advancing a political agenda has come to take precedence over even the most basic ethical considerations. A number of years ago, University of Chicago historian Martin Marty pointed out that the Moral Majority’s evaluation scale for politicians would have given then Congressman Paul Simon, a committed Christian, zero, and Florida Rep. Richard Kelly, who was fingered in the Abscam investigation for pocketing a $25,000 bribe, a perfect rating. Does this mean that Christians should still vote for Kelly over Simon? Yes, says Tim LaHaye: “If I had to choose between a rascal like Kelly and an anti-moralist, I would be inclined to vote for the rascal…”
In the fundamentalist world, ideological considerations have begun to color fellowship with other Christians. Just as Falwell found Bishop Tutu a “phony,” Tim LaHaye expresses puzzlement at the fact that Sen. Mark Hatfield can be a liberal and a Christian. “He’s a real enigma to us,” says LaHaye. “He must be a melancholy temperament. Melancholy temperaments are such supersonic idealists that they are often highly impractical.” And what of born-again Jimmy Carter? This time LaHaye is certain: “I shook hands with him twice and got absolutely no spiritual response.”
Colson’s objections to this politicized Christianity are not particularly radical, nor are they particularly new. In fact, these arguments have long been made against the religious left. Who remembers what Richard Neuhaus said of the political activism of the National Council of Churches just four years ago? “At stake, most ominously, is fidelity to the gospel of Christ. Chesterton said the great sin is to call a green leaf gray. It is the dullest gray to call salvation politics. The political task is urgent but it is one among many. Yet the imperiousness of the political in our culture is such that for many Christians the actual state of fellowship, how they relate to other Christians, is determined more by what one thinks of Ronald Reagan than by what one thinks of God.” Today, as some of the fundamentalists are guilty of these same sins, it is left to Chuck Colson, the Nixon hatchet-man turned evangelist, to sound the alarm — not over what a politically ascendant fundamentalism is doing to the rest of America, but over what it is doing to itself.
Malcolm Gladwell is a writer living in Washington, D.C.
(From the Feb. 1986 issue of The American Spectator.)
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spike59| 4.27.12 @ 6:33AM
Sadly, and predictibly, the MSM has focused almost exclusively on Colson's involvement in Watergate, and nearly ignored the decades of service to his God and his fellow man, which began upon his release from prison
Alan Brooks| 4.27.12 @ 10:52PM
Aren't there better conservatives who have died recently??
All the WFBs (of lesser stature and importance) who pass away, but you mourn a convicted felon? So he found Jesus; so what: if Blagojevich eventually comes to Christ in the can are you going to lionize him when he dies?
Alan Brooks| 4.28.12 @ 1:51AM
... and don't say you would forgive Blagojevich; you would detest him no matter what.
Chuck Colson was similar to G. Gordon Liddy and Oliver North, he did better for himself after he committed crimes than before.. he sold his guilt as an asset; and look what committing crimes did for Liddy and North: gave them radio shows-so who says crime doesn't pay?
Appleby| 4.27.12 @ 7:16AM
Jesus was not a politician and he didn't say "Go and Get Thou Elected To Public Office."
Colson understood his true audience because he was and remained one of them. He could speak to thoswe who were there because he himself had been there. That was the secret that Joel Osteen et al. never like to mention: Christ came here to be one of us and He knows what we go through because He went through it Himself. Matthew 25 has the whole plan laid out in easy to read words.
And if you want the Bible's perscription for gaining political power, read Luke 4. Then notice who it is that is offering that power to you and remember that no matter what he says, Satan does not take partners. If reading the Bible makes you turn blue and faint, just remember what happened to Saruman in the end.
Jesus did not come to establish a political kingdom and he did not set up show and work with lobbyists. There's just no future in that.
Mary| 4.27.12 @ 9:46AM
We as Christians have remained silent for to long and look what has happened to our country. We must not only pray for change but we also need to get off our collective hineys and work for change.
Remember Jerry Falwell and the Moral Majority are the ones who convinced Ronald Reagan to run for president.
Vern Crisler| 4.27.12 @ 10:59AM
This is an awful article. Colson worked for a traitor to conservatism, Richard Nixon, who both consolidated and expanded Johnson's Great Society welfarism.
Colson got caught doing something wrong. Like many who "convert" after being caught, Colson couldn't wait to display his new found Progressivism.
Liberals hate it when "fundamentalists" get involved with politics, because you know that's so "unChristian." But they don't seem to care when so-called Christians start espousing Left wing ideas, like Colson. Such "converts" inevitably gain "new found respect" whereas "fundamentalists" must always get on the back of the respectability bus, especially those who supported Ronald Reagan.
Simon Templar| 4.27.12 @ 1:23PM
Excellent points, Vern.
Yes, to add, liberals and liberal theologists do not seem to have a problem interjecting their values, beliefs, and so-called religious viewpoints in the public arena when it suits them. Then it does not seem "UN-christian" but rather social justice and what Jesus would want. Damn hypocrites.
Mark30339| 4.27.12 @ 4:37PM
Is it possible that even fundamentalists stray from important fundamentals? Do they embody "judge not and ye shall not be judged?" Is it love they have for their neighbor? Do they see hunger and provide food, see nakedness and provide clothes, see illness and provide care, see inmates and provide companionship?
A wonderful man, Archbishop Dom Helder Camera, had a piercing reflection on the Prodigal Son parable. He said: "I pray incessantly for the conversion of the prodigal son’s brother. Ever in my ear rings the dread warning: 'The one has awoken from his life of sin. When will the other awaken from his virtue?'”
I rather like what I read about Chuck Colson, and I think the human family is enriched for having him among us.
The Road Warrior| 4.27.12 @ 4:52PM
There is nothing "progressive" about Colson's Prison Fellowship Ministries. PFM is a private charity supported entirely by private donations. It is the essence of conservative principles in charitable giving. Consequently it is also actually effective.
A "Progressive" would have founded a lobbying group, masquerading as a non-profit that deals with Prison pathologies, and demanded earmarked government funds be funneled to it to support it's cause. Those earmarked funds would go into the lobbyists pockets and the organization would be completely useless.
DWSWesVirginny| 4.27.12 @ 11:45AM
When, towards the end of this essay, Tim LeHay said he found it difficult to understand how a Mark Hatfield could be a Christian and a Liberal, I agree with him. Though I would put it a little differently as follows: that it is not necessary to be a Conservative in order to be a Christian but a Liberal will find himself slowly wandering from the Christian camp. I say this because I think there is empirical evidence to support it. The modern era is full of Liberal Christian divines (the late William Sloane Coffin comes to mind) whose main focus seems to be more secular than on Christ. Nor must we forget Liberation Theology. The evidence goes back even to the 19th century where there was an attempt to mix socialism with Christianity which wound up in the end being simply socialist. Finally, we musn't forget the Progressive mainstream Protestant denominations who preached the Social Gospel, which today has manifestly has replaced Christ's gospel in what remains of their membership.
Kevin in Appalachia| 4.27.12 @ 1:21PM
I pretty much agree. Jesus Himself told us how to be Chritsians: John 8:31 So Jesus said to those Jews that believed on Him, if you continue in my word you truly are my disciples.
We can believe on Him, but if we do not continue in His word we are "FALSELY" his disciples.
Simon Templar| 4.27.12 @ 1:18PM
This article is pure flummery and mischief.
It is an obvious attempt to create an unnecessary division among conservatives and those that share similar religious beliefs.
Colson was a conservative for the most part and so were the others mentioned in the article. As far as his past, he was sincerely repentant about it and led a life that proved that thereafter.
Instead of focusing on commonality, you focus on divisiveness.
Furthermore, "fundamentalist" have just as much right to express their values, opinions, and ideas as much as any other Americans, both in private and in public arenas.
fundamentalist| 4.27.12 @ 3:33PM
Strange that the Gladwell never noticed that Colson was a fundamentalist. His religion was “A religion based on conversion…" Colson often spoke of his conversion experience, more than he did of his social work.
Colson’s distaste for politics is typical of those who experience radical conversions late in life. Bill Sunday hated baseball and considered it an idol for most Americans.
And Colson suffered from myopia typical among those engaged in full-time work: each considers his chosen field of service more important, and more authentically Christian than any other work.
I would like to think Colson matured and grew beyond those failures that are typical of many Christians. In spite of his failures, he was a great defender of fundamentalist Christianity, that brand that emphasizes the virgin birth, divinity of Christ, his physical death and resurrection, and salvation by belief in Christ.
Brian| 4.27.12 @ 4:39PM
Christians mistake was linking ourselves to the Republican party. Professional Repubs hate christians almost as much as Dems do.
POST American| 4.27.12 @ 10:31PM
---Laying this '70's Show' piety op to once
side---
"the NEO--cons are just a bunch of
Trotskyists who realized Marx was wrong
---you could NOT get rid of religion.
That to bring in their NWO they'd have
to have religious component. ----Zionism
won't work because its about race.
Christianity tends to cause rebelliousness
(---and liberty). NO ---NO----. They're
chosen instrument is going to be
--------------------ISLAM----------------------."
RED Ice Radio
'Clash of Civilizations' pt 2
Jay Weidner interview
(available on yahoo videos)
Sound preposterous?
Consider:
Capstone creepdom has ALWAYS
moved by signs and figures and flashing
'the agenda' in one's face.
There's NO doubt, 8 decades of bottomlessly,
funded, indeed, TAX FREE, subversions by the
Rockefeller et al EUGENICS establishment
have morally fattened and flattened
GENUINE christianity worldwide.
The Arminian Heresy from one angle,
nut job 'rapture mongering' abdication
on the other.
This is a matter of record.
"--In the 1920's, clergyman across America
were even paid to preach Jesus himself
---was FOR EUGENICS."
-ENDGAME
(doc online)
TRUE!
NOW----as genuine, average, normal
people are, categorically disenfranchised
from 'churches' by sodomy ops, abortion
and EUGENICS promotional ops
----whence?
ISLAM, such as it is, is allowed, even
secretly encouraged and funded and organized
to blare forth its doctrines which, on a
basic level, reaffirm family and purity,
while meeting --some-- manifestations
of depravity and corruption unflinchingly.
The potential, over time, for MASS
conversions across the entire west and
Latin America is obvious.
One can even imagine it taking hold
as a control device in Globalist created
RED China.
-------NO stretch at all.
NOTE further, capstone USURY has
taken special pains to humiliate, degrade
and even occupy the historic cradle of
democracy and western values ---Greece.
AND likewise with the seat of so much
western culture ---Rome.
Simultaneously, Egyypt is being radicalized
by the long ago Intel founded 'Muslim
Brotherhood'. Plans have even been
declared and implemented to restore the
Caliphate -in Egypt.
When Ginzburg recently chose to stage
her symbolic act of treason by dissing
the US Constitution --she did it in 'E--jipped'.
From Stockholm to Paris to Germany,
Europe now stands overrun by ISLAM.
"I have to say it --Paris is now a birka state."
The recent revelations of Templar anbd
'MAY--SIN--re's' REAL links with ISLAMIC
figures, symbols and rituals is to be
taken with all possible seriousness.
Remember, historically, ISLAM attacked
the West --FIRST. And scholars reviewing
the recrod, are coming to the conclusion
King Philip of France, such as he was,
--was DEAD ON right when he claimed
the Templars were CON--verts to ISLAM.
He had, in fact, infiltrated them.
ISLAM --the religion of slaves --by slaves
----OF the capstone --that thrives in prisons
---that thrives ON prisons
-------IS----JUST------THE------TICKET.
ISLAM ---in EGYPT, the very Mecca of
capstone creepdom.
We'll give it about a decade to get going.
AGAIN ---ESSENTIAL LISTENING
'Clash of Civilizations' pt 2
RED Ice Radio
Jay Weidner
(latest interview)
yahoo videos
---BET even porch 'MAY--SINs' will
be downloading Calvin after a good stiff dose
of this aspect of the CFR---RED China
handover and takedown op!
---BETCHA!
AGAIN ---time for that reckoning with
who --and what, is running and rotting
your churches.
Mike Landry| 4.28.12 @ 7:36AM
What relevance is this article from a quarter century ago? The issues today are not the Moral Majority, or "fundamentalists." The Moral Majority is long gone (although some of its precepts have been successfully implemented by Tea Partiers, both religious and secular). The issues today include blatant government attack on religion of which Chuck Colson was a key organizer of resistance.
POST American| 4.28.12 @ 10:48PM
----Colson was a PRIME fugure
during the very implementation
phase of the Rockefeller--CFR
RED China handover and takedown
op.
---Far ---far -------far more pertinent
to remember in this, the 11th hour of
U.N. unfold, CFR handover, OCCUPATION
and FINAL EUGENICS.
To our knowledge, Colson, much like
Rockefeller CNP 'CON-servative' dupe
Pat Buchanan, has NEVER repented
of this --or even drawn compelling light
to the subject.
Buchanan, for all his aptness and scholarship,
even NOW is acting the tireless apologist
for RED China, and has tossed Tibet, Taiwan,
Japan and South Korea ---under the bus,
all in the name of 'X--speed--iency'.
Even putting aside the years ago
reported MASSIVE tunnel complex
being built to connect Pigeon Lake B.C.
with Asia ---and more recent tunnel
construction between Alaska and
Russia -----
RED China now holds bases from San Diego
to Seattle, plus the Panama Canal ---and
50 square miles of sovereign territory
south of Boise.
AS we've observed:
"KOREA, and NOT the long gone
World Wars, is rapidly emerging
as --the-- defining conflict
of the 20th century viz a viz the 21st."
With RUSSIAN troops, even as we write,
are training, in Colorado, jointly with
Americans, to 'take on American terrorists'
-----AND with 'Homeland SICK--CURE--'IT'--he'
buying hollow point ammo to the tune of hundreds
of MILLIONS of rounds a month (FACT!)
----we'd say POST American ---is PRE----American
dawning REALITY.
In short, it ain't 'Everything OLD
is NEW-Remberg AGAIN'
----------------BUT that film classic
released during the KOREAN War itself
--------------------- 'Singing in the YOU-kraine'!
Calvinists ---Catholics -Porch Masons
-'A' --theists -- Jews ---Muslims ---Mormons
--and operatives of every sort!
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED ----AGAIN.
tsm| 4.30.12 @ 1:21PM
I am surprised by the level of venom in some of the comments. However bad Colson was before his conversion, the evidence is overwhelming that he spent the rest of his life living his faith and helping others. He did not seek the spotlight, nor to enrich himself. I can understand the cynicism about a "jail house coversion", but Colson exemplified the Gospel. He realized that Jesus did not represent power in the political sense, but in the sense that the huma heart would be changed. I am a conservative as they come, but without a love for and a personal caring for the poor, our views on politics don't amount to much. I always thought the essential difference between a liberal and a conservative was that the conservative realized that government is the worst way to help our neighbors, while the private sector is the best way, since we can then deal with people as innndividuals.