Although another issue, alluded in some of the comments to his post, is the differences between Evangelicals and Fundamentalists. The two are actually quite distinctive groups who, while holding many basic theological beliefs in common, are visibly distinct in multiple areas even within theology, to say nothing of politics.
In contrast to true Fundamentalists, Evangelicals have under their wing a broad enough political spectrum to include Tony Campolo, Ron Sider, Charles Colson, and Gary Bauer. This doesn't even begin to cover people like Stanley Hauerwas, who really can't be justly classified under our present political terminology.
Unfortunately, as David Brooks noted in a recent NYT column (for those of you who don't have registration, click here), most media sources simply aren't interested in interviewing actual Evangelicals on their views, or are too ignorant of Evangelicalism to know the difference between it and Fundamentalism. Which makes Burns's injunction to "know your opponent" all the more difficult.
Not bad at all
In contrast to true Fundamentalists, Evangelicals have under their wing a broad enough political spectrum to include Tony Campolo, Ron Sider, Charles Colson, and Gary Bauer. This doesn't even begin to cover people like Stanley Hauerwas, who really can't be justly classified under our present political terminology.
Unfortunately, as David Brooks noted in a recent NYT column (for those of you who don't have registration, click here), most media sources simply aren't interested in interviewing actual Evangelicals on their views, or are too ignorant of Evangelicalism to know the difference between it and Fundamentalism. Which makes Burns's injunction to "know your opponent" all the more difficult.