An Evangelical Manifesto (on Christians and Politics)

News is spreading of a forthcoming document called "An Evangelical Manifesto." The Manifesto is supposedly strongly critical of Christians on the left and right for "using faith" to express political views without regard to the greater message of the Bible. A draft of the document was received by the Associated Press today, but is not scheduled to be released until Wednesday. The AP reports:

The declaration...encourages Christians to be politically engaged and uphold teachings such as traditional marriage. But the drafters say evangelicals have often expressed "truth without love," helping create a backlash against religion during a "generation of culture warring."

"All too often we have attacked the evils and injustices of others," they wrote, "while we have condoned our own sins." They argue, "we must reform our own behavior."

Richard Mouw of Fuller Seminary and Os Guinness are among more than 80 evangelicals who have signed the statement. Neither James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, nor Richard Land, head of the public policy arm for the Southern Baptist Convention, are among the signers.