Texas Democrat lawmaker James Talarico wants voters to know he's a Christian.
He also wants progressive secular audiences to know he's not that kind of Christian. And in trying to be both, he succeeded only in emptying Christianity of its substance and his argument of its credibility.
Talk about a deeply revealing answer:
I believe Christianity points to the truth. I also think other religions of love point to the same truth… I see these beautiful faith traditions as circling the same truth about the universe, about the cosmos, and that truth is inherently a mystery.
This man presents himself, in his bio, as a "Presbyterian seminarian." But there's nothing Christian about this.
Despite how it's presented, this isn't thoughtful humility. This is warmed-over universalism that is flatly incompatible with Christianity.
Universalism is always marketed as kindness, flattering our modern sensibilities by sounding gracious, open-minded, and enlightened. It avoids offense, and as is evidenced by Klein's reaction, earns applause in progressive media circles.
But the question Christians must ask is not whether it sounds nice. The question is whether it is true.
Christianity does not teach that all religions are "circling the same truth." Christianity teaches that God has revealed Himself decisively and personally in Jesus Christ. Not as one path among many, but as the way.
Jesus did not say, "I am one of many guides up the mountain." He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
The apostles did not preach, "We've found a helpful perspective to add to your existing beliefs." They preached, "There is salvation in no other name."
Talarico can find that claim troubling, wrestle with it, or even reject it. But he can't redefine it without abandoning Christianity itself.
Notice the way the Democrat lawmaker used the word "mystery" in his response. It's not used the way historic Christianity uses it.
In Christian theology, mystery does not mean vagueness. It means depth. It means truths we cannot exhaust, not truths we cannot define.
The Trinity is a mystery, but it is certainly not undefined.
The incarnation is a mystery, but it is not negotiable.
But the modern progressive mind uses the term "mystery" as a polite way of avoiding affirming anything specific, including the exclusivity of Christ.
When everything is mystery, nothing is revelation.
When all paths circle the truth, no path leads to truth.
When everyone is right, Jesus becomes unnecessary.
Talarico's milquetoast theology isn't accidental; it's carefully calculated.
A politician who affirms orthodox Christianity risks alienating secular voters. A politician who rejects Christianity risks alienating religious voters. But a politician who redefines Christianity into a vague spiritual sentiment can appeal to both sides at once.
It allows him to say "I'm a Christian minister" in church spaces while sounding safely open-minded and tolerant in elite media environments. It turns Christianity into a personal aesthetic rather than a set of truth claims.
That's branding, not faith.
In the end, the biggest issue with Talarico's heresy isn't political. It's spiritual.
For those of us who believe that Christianity is true, that Christ is risen, Scripture is authoritative, and salvation is real, we have no time to pretend that all paths lead to the same destination.
They don't.
Truth does not bend to our politics, and Christ does not share His throne with competing faiths.
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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Not the Bee or any of its affiliates.
