Podcast Notes — Evolving Identity of American Evangelicalism (B Stiller / W Kim)

Brian Stiller interviews Walter Kim on BrianStiller.org (2024 10 08)

Online interview:  The Evolving Identity of American Evangelicalism
Podcast version:  Ep. 1 / The Evolving Identity of American Evangelicalism ► Dr. Walter Kim
Downloaded/reformatted transcript (6 pp)

Selected key points for continuing reflection:

  • Dr Walter Kim has an ability to communicate both deeply and succinctly.  I find freshness in his choice of words and thoughts, matters that attract and hold attention.
  • Holistic gospel, he defines, as engaging both mind and heart, with an emphasizes on integrity (integration) of word and deed.
  • Evangelicalism has a “diversity of expression,” he claims.  This approach to faith recognizes the role of culture.  For Kim, North American churches are being enriched with the influx of new immigrant Christians.
  • Evangelicalism is defined by:  high view of scripture, particular ways of understanding inspiration, desire and need for conversion to Christ, and the centrality of the cross.  But he claims that Evangelicalism has a “different posture” from that of Fundamentalism which, he claims, tends to be more antagonistic towards society and culture.
  • The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) is composed of 40 different denominations plus various ministries and institutions, including a major chaplaincy program, World Relief, legal services to immigrants, and refugee resettlement services, among others.
  • Public policy work is a function of the NAE but chooses to be non-partisan (refusing to endorse political candidates).  NAE is very expressive of the place of faith in the public square.  It has a comprehensive “ethic of life,” and “creation care.”  The NAE is not beholden to any political party because they “can never encompass the breadth and beauty of the good news of Jesus Christ.”
  • Assessing strength/weakness of Evangelical faith in America:  Kim claims it is strong on the pietistic aspect of faith (personal conversion and deep devotional life), but not strong on “developing our public theology, our public discipleship.”  He cites as weaknesses the lack of clarity on:
    • The place of marriage in society
    • Role of the church with poverty alleviation
    • How we function in our relationship in a pluralistic society and secular government.
    • Lamentable history of engagement with racial justice including Native American communities.
  • Kim is an advocate for a robust public theology undergirded by a robust public discipleship.  He claims the resulting and current vacuum of traditional approaches to discipleship have been filled with the problems of politics.
  • Developing a public theology, he claims, should be informed by personal lived experience.  The need for this is in our churches, on our campuses, and in our small groups.  It should be part of a strong commitment to discipleship that addresses these deep issues.  It should draw from the breadth of experience, different venues, and vantage points of life to produce a “common thread,” a “common empathy,” and a “common set of questions that ask us to return to the scriptures” for developing an adequate framework and quality response [to the issues of the day].
  • Evangelicalism is much more flexible and entrepreneurial, he claims, when compared to hierarchical church structures. It is constantly being reinvented, but change and diversity needs to be coupled with trust and the building of relationships.  The latter develops from a readiness to learn from others and humble recognition that God is at work in many ways.
  • Kim recommends a reaffirmation of who we are as Evangelicals, based on both the opening and closing teachings of Jesus, as follows:
    • In his inaugural speech, Jesus read the passage:  “The Spirit of the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor, freedom for the captives, the year of the Lord’ favor.”  He calls this a “comprehensive gospel” that touches on all aspects of life.
    • In his final public ministry, Jesus prayed for the unity of his disciples (unity of witness, power, and purpose)
  • Kim identifies Christ’s teaching to include:
    • Engagement across the differences
    • Unified humble presence that includes an ability to pray for enemies, to bless those who persecute, and present an alternative to the hyper-politicized and partisan view that traffics in anger and fear.  It is the “way of Christ.”
    • Bing quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger (because anger doesn’t accomplish the righteousness of God).
  • A “comprehensive gospel” is Kingdom oriented, where God will restore all things, make a new heavens and new earth,.  It is a “transformative gospel” as in how the early church cared for strangers, orphans, and widows.  He cites the work of missions throughout the world that has coupled proclamation of the good news with hospitals, schools, and orphanages.  It can be expressed as a concern and commitment to “the common good.”
  • Kim claims we are at an “inflection point’ where the global church is infusing vitality into the church in America.

Some of these ideas are further explored as:

Reflections on Views of Walter Kim with Brian Stiller

Links included above:

Online Interview:  https://brianstiller.com/the-evolving-identity-of-american-evangelicalism-%e2%96%ba-dr-walter-kim/
Downloaded/reformatted transcript:  https://1drv.ms/b/c/93f453a265edc970/EVwZvZLYrP5Lot9w7WeIbnMB_ZE1t5Ywgt2GjU7gLrD12A?e=dDWTAi

This page by: Ron Richmond
First published:  2024/11/06
Latest revision:  2025/02/04