I came across an interesting article/interview in Newsweek about recent activity by some evangelicals to work with players across the spectrum to foster dialogue about deepest differences. Joel Hunter, who enjoyed about a month as head of the Christian Coalition before his alleged liberalism became unpalatable, is interviewed in this article.

My personal context: Joel Hunter was (and maybe still is) a professor of practical theology at RTS-Orlando when I was there. He's a good man, the real deal, well-read and thoughtful.

I "get" already that many evangelical rank and file will disparage Hunter and others involved in this effort. I'm not immune to purity arguments; principle matters a LOT to me. Though I fail often, I endeavor to live as consistently with biblical principles as I can. All that taken as given, I still think Hunter's efforts to listen and converse with those from different ideological camps are wise and good. Much of the time it is wiser to build bridges rather than throw rocks.

Will Hunter and others in this project forfeit "purity"? Maybe. Who knows yet. Still, it is a good thing to listen to other images of God, and to converse civilly, about our deepest differences. What is described in this article and interview is true multiculturalism at work-- individuals being fully who they are and expressing themselves in all their varied differences.