More concerns are being raised about the document "An Evangelical Manifesto" that was released last week. Conservative black pastor and political activist Dean Nelson says he's troubled by the document that purports to reclaim what it means to be an evangelical Christian. Signers of "An Evangelical Manifesto" say evangelicals need to expand their concern "beyond single-issue politics such as abortion and marriage." They argue that the term evangelical is weighed down by "cultural and political baggage" from the "religious right" and "religious left."

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But Nelson, who heads the Network of Politically Active Christians, believes the "cultural and political baggage" that the document refers to is being defined by the mainstream media. He argues that most evangelicals are involved in a variety of missions at home and abroad.
 
"I think evangelicals are concerned about a whole range of issues," he states bluntly. "But when it comes to politics and the role of government, I think that we are first and foremost called to be defenders of life. I believe that that's a moral issue that has spilled over into the political arena, but I think that the people of God – those who are evangelicals – have to stand up for moral issues and speak to it in the political arena," Nelson contends.
 
It is unfortunate, Nelson believes, that drafters of the Manifesto did not seek feedback from black Christians. "African-American Christians have been involved politically for years, and for them to have this type of document without having participation from the minority community really calls into question if [the writers of the Manifesto] are really serious about being progressive, as they say that they are," Nelson explains.
 
Nelson is also executive director of the How Would Jesus Vote Tour.  

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