Shifting of Christian Politic??

After the recent mid-term elections, articles have been written about a possible perceived or hoped for shift in the political views of conservative evangelicals; “A New Faith-Based Agenda” (Newsweek, November 13, 2006, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15566389/site/newsweek/), “Evangelicals vs. the Religious Right” (Newsweek, November 13, 2006, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15566654/site/newsweek/).

Some have suggested evangelicals are shifting from stringent conservative political concerns to more of an interest in social issues: poverty, HIV/AIDS, genocide, human trafficking, forgiveness of debts, compassion for homosexuals, etc. Perhaps evangelicals are beginning to show concern for these “people-issues” and will encourage increase financial giving to these issues. Michael Gerson, in his “A New Faith-Based Agenda” writes the following about this supposed shift:
During my time in the White House, the most intense and urgent evangelical activism I saw did not come on the expected values issues—though abortion and the traditional family weren't ignored—but on genocide, global AIDS and human trafficking. The most common request I received was, "We need to meet with the president on Sudan"—not on gay marriage. This reflects a head-snapping generational change among evangelicals, from leaders like Falwell and Robertson to Rick Warren, focused on fighting poverty and AIDS in Africa, and Gary Haugen, confronting rape and sexual slavery in the developing world. Since leaving government, I've asked young evangelicals on campuses from Wheaton to Harvard who they view as their model of Christian activism. Their answer is nearly unanimous: Bono.

However, in “Scholars Offer Data on Religion's Role in American Life” (Newhouse News Service, November 7, 2006, http://www.newhousenews.com/archive/briggs110706.html), it was found that Christians spend a good amount of money on Christian items, such as clothing, jewelry, etc. Citing a study, it was found that “Nearly half the respondents to the 2005 Baylor Religion Survey reported spending money on religious goods in the past month. Twelve percent reported spending $50 or more, while 22 percent spent less than $25.”

Recently there has been a focus to tap into that source of money. Lately businesses have been focusing upon advertising to Christians with product placement; “Product Placement in the Pews? Microtargeting Meets Megachurches” (Knowledge @ Wharton Network, article 1605, published November 15, 2006, accessed December 4, 2006, http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=1605). The article states:
Advertising has begun to seep into churches, and the phenomenon shows no signs of slowing down, say academic, religious and marketing experts. Among the wave of early adopters: the Republican Party, which successfully sold its platform to church-goers in the 2000 and 2004 elections; Hollywood, which discovered the economic power of faith when Mel Gibson's church-marketed film "The Passion of the Christ" became a blockbuster; and publishing, with Rick Warren's best-selling The Purpose-Driven Life, heavily marketed by a Christian publishing house.

There seems to be a conflict. While evangelicals appear to be making a shift in social concerns and are displaying an interest in directing money to people in need, they are at the same time spending an increasing amount of money on material things. These material “things” are frequently labeled “Christian” merely because of the Christian themes associated with them. It’s Christian “stuff.”

So where does that leave the church? Certainly it’s Christ-like and in obedience to scripture to teach and motivate people to be concerned about the poor and sick. But what should be our approach when promoting and purchasing Christian “stuff?” At what point is our consumerism keeping resources from greater, legitimate needs? How much has the American Church gotten caught up into “Christian materialism” while ignoring the plight of needy people worldwide? Are we being hypocritical in ignoring the poor at the expense of our own wants? Is there anything the Church can and should be doing to address this hypocrisy?