Matthew 13:24-30
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn..gif)
The term evangelical derives from the Greek word evangelion meaning “gospel” or “good news.” Technically speaking, evangelical refers to a person, church, or organization that is committed to the Christian gospel message that Jesus Christ is the savior of humanity. The Greek root word is used in the New Testament and was popularized in the first centuries A.D. to distinguish the love-centric movement of Jesus followers from the violent Roman Empire that often made its own “good news” announcements to celebrate military victories.
When American media uses the word "evangelical" usually they use it as a descriptive of, simply, American Christians. There is likely some in the mix, but I think they're using the word to indicate a very very broad demographic which is a mix of real and faux Christians. There is a parable of Jesus which appears in Matthew 13:24–43. The parable relates how servants eager to pull up weeds were warned that in so doing they would root out the wheat as well and were told to let both grow together until the harvest. So some, though off target, will always be there. Faux Christians love the Christian verbiage..but, clearly, produce not much of anything faithfully productive. A man of faith can move mountains. A faux Christian has no interest in moving anything....sometimes not even themselves.
But I remain hopeful because there are still a LOT of true "Jesus Christ is Lord" Christians who are not also low-information people who chase every conspiracy theory that comes their way. I see this in my own personal observation and personal research. In my mind the right wing may not be a majority but just the noisiest. A lot of time is given to the shipwreck that is Donald Trump. Maga and the "America First" movement is quite truthfully America First as it's agenda. Jesus falls out of the top couple spots and may land at 3rd or 4th. Just enough so the "Christianese" language can be heard and Bibles used as props.
Today the word "evangelical" is getting overused and abused. In fact, even my usage of the word "Evangelical" is when I use it as a descriptive of an American form of "Christianity" whose real identity is usually more suspect. When I use the word "Christian." I generally use it as a descriptive of "Christs Ones" or a Christian is someone whose behavior and heart reflects Jesus Christ...a natural growth from knowing Him.
There are times I may be short sighted in that observation as there may be many who make missteps and historically I slip them in the "evangelical" column. That is not always fair on my part, as being a Christian does not mean we will never misstep...and I have had people extend grace to me when I made poor decisions in my past.
Watching "Christianity" and "evangelical" be used and abused in popular media is kind of a thrill ride for sociopaths and the sociopaths who watch....and even the Christian-sociopaths, which is a demographic in which those two words should never be used close together for any good reason. But here we are.
