The "evangelical manifesto" being released by a group of Christian scholars and theologians is an attempt to take back the term "evangelical" from politics and return it to its theological roots.

"Evangelical" has been widely used to refer to Christians who have conservative political views, but the Evangelical Theological Society requires members to agree on just two points: inerrancy of Scripture, and belief in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as "separate but equal in attributes and glory" and essential for salvation.

The manifesto condemns Christians on the right and left for "using faith" to express political views "without regard to the truth of the Bible," according to a draft obtained last week by the Associated Press. When faith "loses its independence," it says, "Christians become 'useful idiots' " for politicians.

But the president of the research arm of the Southern Baptist Convention says he's concerned that it will be "spun to conclude that Christians should hold back from speaking out on public policy."

LifeWay Research president Edward Stetzer says a new Lifeway survey finds that 52 percent of U.S. adults do not think "Christians are too involved in politics," and that is particularly true of evangelicals (72 percent).

Stetzer, who had not seen the manifesto before it was published, said: "Christians need to speak prophetically to all parties, not be beholden to one. Evangelicals need to be known for what we are for: showing and sharing the good news of Christ, not only what we are against on public policy.

"You cannot stand for justice and be afraid to speak of Jesus," he says.

The LifeWay survey asked 1,201 adults April 10-12 whether they agree that "I'm concerned that at times Christians are too involved in politics."

The survey's margin of error is plus or minus 2.9 percentage points.