WASHINGTON (ABP) — At least seven Baptists are among Time magazine's list of the 25 most influential evangelicals in America.
The magazine devotes the cover of its Feb. 7 issue to the subject of evangelical Protestants in America and their influence over politics and culture. The list details evangelicals “whose influence is on the rise or who have carved out a singular role” in those arenas.
Joining famed evangelist Billy Graham and his son, Franklin, on the list were Richard Land, head of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission; Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Community Church in Southern California and author of “The Purpose-Driven Life;” Tim LaHaye, co-author of the popular “Left Behind” series of apocalyptic novels and his wife Beverly, founder of the conservative political-action group Concerned Women for America; reformed Watergate convict and Prison Fellowship founder Chuck Colson; and Hispanic Baptist community activist Luis Cortes.
Notably, some influential Baptists — such as Religious Right leader Jerry Falwell and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Al Mohler — did not make the list.