The Jim Wallis Podcast

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American Evangelism is Destroying the Good News of Jesus. Apr 29, 2018

Show notes

In the late 1970's and early 1980's, right-wing political operatives — like Richard Viguerie, Paul Weyrich, Kevin Phillips, and Terry Dolan—engineered a political takeover of the evangelical movement. This was a radical hijacking of the message of Jesus Christ. Ten years earlier, the movement that became Sojourners was born at an evangelical seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago. We preached the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is transforming both personally and socially — a holistic message aimed to change our lives and the world.

In 1973, I worked with Evangelicals for Social Action in a gathering Ron Sider convened, again in Chicago, which produced a document called the "Chicago Declaration of Evangelical Social Concern." In that declaration, we acknowledged the sins of racism and classism and called for repentance. We were hailed as the “young evangelicals” in a “new evangelical” movement.

Now, 45 years later, another meeting of 50 fairly diverse leaders met at Wheaton College, a historic evangelical site, to pray and discern together the future of evangelicalism in the U.S. When Fox News, Breitbart, and CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network) launched coordinated coverage of the meeting as “ Trump bashing,” featuring the Trump evangelical advisers to the president, you knew the meeting hit a nerve.

This disturbing distinction clearly demonstrates the evangelical backsliding we have experienced since the publication of the Chicago Declaration. We are now engaged in “spiritual warfare,” as described in our Scriptures. We don’t finally put our trust in politics, but in God who will win with the long arc of the universe that “bends toward justice” as Dr. King reminded us. I only made one comment at the end of the Wheaton meeting when I said, “I have been listening as I hope you all have been too. The question this meeting is asking about the future of evangelicalism has been answered by the voices of color and women in this room. They are pointing us to the evangel, the good news Jesus said he would bring to the poor in his opening statement in Luke 4. That’s our future, let’s listen.”

As one of the white evangelical leaders in the Wheaton meeting had said to me before, “American evangelicalism is destroying the evangel.” Now is the time for the evangel to turn white evangelicalism in America upside down.

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Jesus has Been Stolen Apr 26, 2018

Show notes

As we approach Pentecost Sunday, it is fitting to recall the fear and trepidation early Christians felt after the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Acts 2 sets the scene for us: 120 followers of Jesus were hiding in an upper room afraid to proclaim their faith publicly. It is an unfortunate parallel to our current times.

But, then as the Bible tells us, the early disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and took to the streets to proudly profess the teachings of Jesus. Now is the time for us to emulate the early followers of Jesus.

On May 24, the Thursday after Pentecost, pastors, church leaders, and lay leaders from all over the country will meet in Washington, D.C., to make Pentecost the launching point for a new season of action reclaiming Jesus.

Together on May 24, in our nation’s capital, we will:

Hold an evening worship service at National City Christian Church, a large church in downtown Washington, D.C., beginning our public declaration of faith with communal prayer, proclamation, and worship, which will be livestreamed on Sojourners’ Facebook page;
Process by candlelight from the steps of the church to the gates of the White House to deliver our declaration on reclaiming Jesus;
Observe a candlelight prayer vigil outside the gates themselves, as we proclaim to our political leadership what we believe and what we reject.

Jesus has been hijacked by political and religious leaders who are willing to abandon the teachings of Jesus so clearly articulated in Matthew 25. Now is our chance to reclaim Jesus for the integrity of our faith and the Soul of the Nation.

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Finding Hope in Despair Apr 17, 2018

Show notes

The political, religious, and moral crisis in America is going to get worse before it gets better. If we are going to survive this crisis; or better yet, respond to it; or best yet, put our faith into action to turn dangers into opportunities, we are going to have to be more deeply rooted — in our faith, in our relationships to each other, and in our solidarity with the most vulnerable.

All faith leaders are invited to The Summit 2018: Radically Rooted, coming up on June 13-15 for a unique gathering that provides both spiritual grounding and concrete actions for change. Together, we must reclaim Jesus from the "Trump evangelicals" who falsely claim that Trump is the best president ever for an allegedly Christian agenda. As jesus says specifically in Matthew 25, a truly Christian agenda will prioritize care for the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned.

In today's podcast, the Rev. Jim Wallis provides a prescription of hope for the despair many of us feel in this perilous political climate.

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Faith Without Works is Dead. Apr 11, 2018

Show notes

On the 50th Anniversary of the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Rev. Jim Aallis gathered with other faith leaders on the National Mall in Washington DC to give this call to action:

"Let us confess our sins, repent of them, and turn this nation around."

In recalling the life of Rev. King, we must remember that he was not just a civil rights leader; first and foremost King was a faith leader. As people of faith we must make an act of confession. Confession is telling the truth to God and the world about ourselves. Jesus says, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Without confession to the sin of white racism, white supremacy, white privilege, people who call themselves white Christians will never be free — free from the bondage of a lie, a myth, an ideology, and an idol.

White racism is our great sin, that it is America’s original sin — foundational to our country. But we have yet to fully name it as the great and founding sin that white supremacy is. A group of elder church leaders just named it in a declaration called “ Reclaiming Jesus” by saying this: “We believe each human being is made in God’s image and likeness. Racial bigotry is a brutal denial of the image of God … Therefore we reject the resurgence of white nationalism and racism on many fronts, including the highest levels of political leadership.”

It is time to apply our theology to our public life.

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Reclaiming Jesus: Speaking Up for the Integrity of Our Faith Mar 30, 2018

Show notes

Evangelicals who support Donald Trump and his presidency are destroying the good news of Jesus Christ. In this Easter Season, Jim Wallis and a diverse group of Church elders listed below have banded together to fight for the Soul of the Nation by issuing the declaration of Reclaiming Jesus.

The current administration is at war with the values of Jesus Christ so clearly enumerated in the Bible. People who say they are Christians but support the Trump Administration (the TRUMP EVANGELICALS) are creating a religious dissonance the is fracturing the integrity of our faith.

Reclaiming Jesus declares: “We believe that each human being is made in God’s image and likeness” (Genesis 1:26), therefore, “Racial bigotry is a brutal denial of the image of God (the imago dei) in some of the children of God” and that causes us to “reject the resurgence of white nationalism and racism in our nation on many fronts, including the highest levels of political leadership.”

It continues to say we must also “reject misogyny, the mistreatment, violent abuse, sexual harassment, and sexual assault of women” because “[w]e believe we are one body. In Christ there is to be no oppression based on race, gender, identity, or class (Galatians 3:28).”

The declaration further asserts our treatment of the poor and vulnerable is literally a test of our relationship to Jesus. If “We believe that how we treat the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the stranger (meaning immigrants and refugees) the sick, and the prisoner is how we treat Christ himself (Matthew 25: 31-46),” we have another theological, not just a political issue at stake.

Reclaiming Jesus also states, “We believe that truth is morally central to our personal and public lives” and that Jesus promises, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free (John 8:32).” But the TRUMP EVANGELICALS don’t seem to care about the pervasive, persistent, and pathological “lying that is invading our political and civic life.”

The declaration additionally reminds us that, “We believe that Christ’s way of leadership is servanthood, not domination” and that is why “we reject any moves toward autocratic political leadership and authoritarian rule.”

The Church elders also agree that “‘America First’ [is] a theological heresy.” “We believe,” says our declaration, that “our churches and our nations are part of an international community whose interests always surpass national boundaries.” Therefore, we “reject xenophobic or ethnic nationalism which places one nation over others as a political goal.”

Finally, the TRUMP EVANGELICALS cannot call themselves consistently “pro-life” when their political choices and allegiances do not support the lives of the poor, racial and religious minorities, immigrants and refugees, low-income families and children.

From Easter to Pentecost, we will all be taking this to the churches for civil discourse, discernment, and action. Use this declaration as a signal that church leaders have broken the silence by speaking with one voice in unison to address the national moral, political, and even constitutional crisis we now face.

Signatories to Reclaiming Jesus

Bishop Carroll A. Baltimore, President and CEO, Global Alliance Interfaith Networks
Rev. Dr. Peter Borgdorff, Executive Director Emeritus, Christian Reformed Church in North America
Dr. Amos Brown, Chair, Social Justice Commission, National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.
Rev. Dr. Walter Brueggemann, Professor Emeritus, Columbia Theological Seminary
Dr. Tony Campolo, Co-Founder, Red Letter Christians
Dr. Iva Carruthers, General Secretary, Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference
The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate, The Episcopal Church
Rev. Dr. James Forbes, President and Founder, Healing the Nations Foundation and Preaching Professor at Union Theological Seminary
Rev. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, General Secretary Emeritus, Reformed Church in America
Rev. Dr. Cynthia Hale, Senior Pastor, Ray of Hope Christian Church, Decatur, GA
Rev. Dr. Richard Hamm, former General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Rev. Dr. Joel C. Hunter, Faith Community Organizer and Chairman, Community Resource Network
Rev. Dr. Jo Anne Lyon, General Superintendent Emerita, The Wesleyan Church
Bishop Vashti McKenzie, 117th Elected and Consecrated Bishop, AME Church
Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr., Co-Convener National African American Clergy Network
Dr. John Perkins, Chair Emeritus and Founding Member, Christian Community Development Association
Bishop Lawrence Reddick, CEO, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Fr. Richard Rohr, Founder, Center for Action and Contemplation
Dr. Ron Sider, President Emeritus, Evangelicals for Social Action
Rev. Jim Wallis, President and Founder, Sojourners
Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, Director, NCC Truth and Racial Justice Initiative
Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, Co-Convener, National African American Clergy Network; President, Skinner Leadership Institute
Bishop Will Willimon, Bishop, The United Methodist Church, retired, Professor of the Practice of Ministry, Duke Divinity School

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Don't Let Faith Be the Next Casualty of Gun Violence Mar 03, 2018

Show notes

The Apostle James tells us, “Faith without works is dead.” That is why the Rev. Jim Wallis is calling for a national church boycott of the National Rifle Association to give life to the thoughts and prayers we send the friends and families of the victims of mass gun murders. By making enormous financial contributions to politicians on the one hand and bullying those politicians who support common sense gun safety laws that are overwhelmingly approved by the vast majority of Americans, the NRA has perverted our democracy and thwarted the will of the people at the expense of the lives of our children while they attend school.

In today's episode of The Soul of the Nation, Rev. Wallis provides concrete ways you and your faith communities can take action to end the senseless slaughter of our children.

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"We call B.S." on the NRA's Wayne Lapierre and his Heretical and Blasphemous Statements Feb 23, 2018

Show notes

In the aftermath of the mass shooting at a high school in Florida, we saw and heard courageous student survivors stand up to and call out politicians in a manner we haven't seen since student protestors worked together to end the Vietnam War. Unfortunately, we also saw and heard the head of the National Rifle Association Wayne LaPierre commit what might be called heresy and blasphemy, when he declared the falsehood that the greatest God-given right is to own and operate a deadly weapon.

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When Prayers Are Not Enough: A Call to Action From Our Children Feb 17, 2018

Show notes

In response to the tragic shooting at a Florida high school this week, the Rev. Jim Wallis pronounces, "I believe the National Rifle Association and their gun-running sponsors are responsible for the death of Florida children and their teachers." The politicians and pundits who are so quick to send their thoughts and prayers also need to be held accountable Wallis continues, "I believe the elected officials who are too cowardly to ban assault weapons...are responsible for this week's brutal killing" as well.

David Hogg a senior at at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School where the shooting took place told the Washington Post, "Blood is being spilled on the floors of American classrooms and that is not acceptable."

Rev. Wallis urges that we take our prayers and turn them into action by siding with our children who live in fear of gun violence everyday and take the steps necessary to end this far too frequent man-made disaster.

We as a nation need to repent for the sins of gun violence and the murders of these children and the brave school staff who sought to keep them safe. The biblical definition of repentance means to stop and turn in a new direction. In order to repent, we must realize that thoughts and prayers are not enough; we must take action to uphold life.

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A Constitutional Crisis or a Crisis of Faith? Feb 09, 2018

Show notes

As President Trump and his minions deliberately mislead the American public with lies, distortions, and omissions in order to deflect and diminish the special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into possible Russian collusion, potential obstruction of justice, and alleged money laundering, we could be headed into what the media is calling a "constitutional crisis." The Rev. Jim Wallis shows us the real challenge ahead is a crisis of faith. Donald Trump's attempts at establishing himself as an autocratic ruler above the law requires us to recall why leading theologians believe we need democracy.

CS Lewis said, "The real reason for democracy is... [m]ankind is so fallen that no man can be trusted with unchecked power over his fellows." And, American public theologian Reinhold Niebuhr wrote, “Man's capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man's inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary.”

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Faith Leaders Cross Political Divides to Unite Against Racism and Poverty Feb 02, 2018

Show notes

80 faith leaders who represent Hundreds of Millions of Christians took an unprecedented stand against the racism and poverty, citing an integral link between the two sins against God.

The Unity Declaration on Racism and Poverty, which was sent to members of Congress before last night’s State of the Union address, appeals to all people, especially Christians, to actively work against racism and poverty. It notes that the “body of Christ is perhaps the most diverse racial community in the world.”

The leaders call on political leaders from both parties to develop legislative agendas that will reduce racism and poverty. They assert that “[r]acism is systematic and structural in America and harms people of color in very specific, measurable, and tangible ways.”

The leaders are “deeply troubled” by budget and other proposals coming from Congress and the administration that would hurt struggling people of all races in both the United States and around the world. These threats to anti-poverty programs have unified them into “a more vigorous, multiracial Christian movement to maintain a circle of protection around all people in poverty and God’s children of color in particular, who are disproportionally impacted.”

A letter to Congress introducing the Declaration reads in part:

“As Christians, we are grounded in God’s love for all people, and we feel called to ask our churches and political leaders of both parties to work together to overcome racism and poverty which are theological, biblical, and gospel issues for us, not merely political or partisan ones…

“We are purposefully sending you this statement before you go to your respective retreats. In addition to reading this statement thoughtfully, we ask for the following three things: first, we ask you to discuss this statement and the issues central to it—racism and poverty— at your retreats; second, we ask you to incorporate these concerns into your policy decisions and legislation in 2018 and beyond; third, we ask you to convene meetings with faith leaders in your communities to plan follow-up action on these issues in your states and districts…

“Racism and poverty are systemic issues that are central to the Bible and the teachings of Jesus. Therefore, they are critical to policy choices made by political leaders of faith and conscience.”

"When people of color in the body of Christ suffer—while many white members of the body of Christ do not acknowledge their pain—we are violating the principle laid down in 1 Corinthians 12: that we are one body with many parts, who suffer with and honor one another. As Galatians instructs us, “there is no more Jew or Greek, bond or free, male or female, because we are all united as one in Christ” (3:28)."

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