A code of conduct for Europe's evangelicals

A new code of conduct has been published to help Christians in Europe engage confidently but respectfully in the public arena.

The code was drawn up by Pablo Martinez, of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance, and made public for the first time at the European Evangelical Alliance's General Assembly in Germany last week.

Martinez, a Bible teacher and psychiatrist, said he wanted to provide a biblical rationale for how evangelicals engage in the public arena.

"We believe this is a balanced and thoroughly biblical approach, having Christ as the central point of reference," he said.

"The purpose is to give a biblical basis and a practical guide to honour Christ and incarnate the Gospel at all times."

The code of conduct starts with a call to Christians to speak and act out of love.

"We will seek to build genuine relationships with all in the public arena, including those who disagree with us," it states.

"We will especially love those that society marginalises, care deeply for them and dare to challenge the injustices that oppress."

The code asks that Christians act in the public arena with courage, humility, integrity and a commitment to the truth.

"Our political ideas and actions must be based on all of Scripture," it says.

"We must not use the Bible to confirm our pre-formed ideas. Rather, we will study with Christians of different political philosophies to ensure that our ideas are truly biblical.

"We will work to ensure we reflect the breadth of God's concerns, not just focusing on one of two issues."

The code goes on to encourage Christians to act with wisdom and suggests that they will be better heard when they are professional and relevant.

"Politicians do not have to listen to us," Christians are told.

"Rather, by building good relationships and providing excellent, relevant and wise ideas and information, presented professionally, we trust that some will wish to listen."

Jiri Unger, EEA President and General Secretary of the Czech Evangelical Alliance said that striking a balance was vital if evangelicals were to avoid the traps of "unhelpful fearfulness, anger or compromise".

"The European Evangelical Alliance based its socio-political approach on the belief that we can be radical and faithful to the whole of Scripture without being extremist, soft or liberal and at the same time engage in unavoidable confrontations in a relational and respectful way," he said.