I couldn't agree more with Greg Boyd's statement. Watching CNN's documentary- "God's Warriors" last night, I could not help but be impressed with Boyd's segment of the program. Overall, I think, that Christiane Amanpour did a fantastic job on her year long project, investigating the fundamentalist ideas of Judaism, Islam and Christianity. But for now, I want to focus on the ideas that Boyd brought to the table.
Of all the pastors and ministers Amanpour interviewed, among them Jerry Falwell and Ron Luz, Boyd had the most central idea of how the Christian should conduct themselves in a selfish society and politically dominated church. It was noted that he lost almost 20% of his congregation after refusing to endorse conservative candidates with conservative platforms. He doesn't believe that a Biblical value should become a political battleground- and I agree.
When did we start to turn social issues into political ones? When did we start voting for candidates b/c they supported one or two of our favorite Bible stories or values?
I'm pretty sure that Jesus said, give to Caesar what it his and to God what is His. The Roman Empire was under and Emperor, conquered defenseless nations. Romans 13 talks about submitting to the governing authorities. Granted, God is above all- however, I believe that in country such as ours- we reap what we sow. What government we elect in place will be. AT THE SAME TIME, I also believe we should not have a government that has Christian or religious beliefs imposed on it. Nor do I believe that the government should impose them on the American people. That is not what the founding fathers instigated.
The Kingdom of God, Jesus stated, is not of this world. In fact, it is something that should be in the hearts of every person that believes. When it comes to our politics, why oh why, are we making our faith the platform? Why not instead evaluate the candidates based on who we think will best lead the country and create and positive atmosphere, maintaining the confidence and safety and freedom of the the AMERICAN people?
I am not saying I don't have my own political preferences, but I certainly don't expect my president to believe every little thing I do. I don't expect them to come the conclusions I have for my life. Boyd exemplified the fact that being "pro-life" should not mean about hounding against abortion but rather erring on the side of life- from birth to death! Amazing how that phrase gets twisted to mean "over-turn Roe vs. Wade."
I don't know that it would be wise for the United States to become a "religious" state. Iran has done that with Islam- and nothing but conflict has ensued internationally and internally.
I do believe, in the freest nation in the world, every Christian has American duty to vote, but a greater responsibility to spread the love of the Cross w/o endorsing politics from the pulpit. I'm tired of preachers who use their Sunday sermons to promote ballots and politics. How about just teaching the Bible. God is not a democrat or a republican. He's God. Period.
24 August 2007
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great post. ill link to you next saturday for a weekly post i do if thats cool. i think boyd was a strong man for doing what he did. my only concern that by doing a 6 week series from his church on politics he was drawing the attention away from Jesus and towards politics. I would rather have had him do a special conference at his church about it. small issue though for me, no big deal.
sure- point taken. but the attitude is right and i'm impressed with his boldness.
weekly post? fine idea, link me up.
Amen!
Jesus stayed away from politics and He walked the earth in very turbulent times under the Roman oppression with His people looking for a political leader that would get them out of that mess.
Christ followers will do the same in our day. The Christian right does not. This brings up an interesting question. Is the Christian right following Christ?
I’m glad that I’m Christian no more! There’s such a freedom in following Christ.
Thanks for your great post.
gaj
Greg, I like your statement, "I’m glad that I’m Christian no more! There’s such a freedom in following Christ." And it's pretty obvious why...
As for the "Christian right," I often just think that while their intentions may not be so bad, their perspective is off in the first place.....
Thanks for stopping by...wink
"God is not a democrat or a republican. He's God. Period."
This is certainly true. Historically at least (though I think this remains true in many communities), the pastor was often the most educated person in the community which might help explain the the felt responsibility to speak and "use their Sunday sermons to promote ballots and politics." I'm often annoyed with lazy discussions of politics from the pulpit, discussions which seem to repeat a party line with little recognition that the church is always already political. Have you read Yoder's "The Politics of Jesus"? I think you'd like it.
"(though I think this remains true in many communities), the pastor was often the most educated person in the community"
As far as "remaining true," I have to say that I disagree with this statement whole-heartedly. Who decides what "most educated" means?
As far as the Church being political, yes, that I'll have to agree on that. I believe it was Forbes magazine a couple of years ago that named the American Church as one of the top "money making" businesses in the country, if not the world....and sadly it is because of the political governance in the churches....
No, I have not read that book, btw.
Great post. I found you through Tyler. As far as mixing politics and faith I believe that God has offered faith in Jesus as an offer that we can accept or reject. Political systems are about creating laws which MUST be followed. So mixing them is not what God intended imho. I do find myself 'trusting' a politician to make better decisions if I understand where they are coming from and what they believe is true.
btw - how do you show comments on your blog. I'm new to this. thanks
thanks for reading....
as far as comments are concerned: two ways- either click on the title of the blog to isolate the story OR click on "comments" and a pop up window should appear w/ the comments.
First off, great post, Ash. I have a few thoughts..
"As for the "Christian right," I often just think that while their intentions may not be so bad, their perspective is off in the first place....." This is exactly it! Honestly, though, its the situation with everyone. We all have immature/arrogant/ignorant perspectives to some degree.
Greg said "I’m glad that I’m Christian no more! There’s such a freedom in following Christ." But I honestly think this is a pretty silly statement to make. Don't get me wrong, I know exactly what it means. But its silly in that you're denying the definition of the word Christian. The common practices (that you disagree with) of Christianity are not what define it as Christianity. Simply put, the following of Christ ( which of course is based on our interpretation of Christ ) is the definition of Christianity. So to say that you're not a Christian, but rather a follower of Christ is a contradiction.
Yes, I know what is meant, and more so, I know where the idea comes from. Its a part of this latest Jesus movement, the radicalization of the Church. Its a part of Generation X's desire to break out of the traditional "religious" practices of previous generations. One of the biggest fads and social movements of the last 10 years has been the development of the fad of originality. Its cool to be different, to not adhere to tradition. Its precisely the same thing when people claim such bumper sticker slogans as "Reject Religion, Embrace Jesus". Its an attempt to deny a movement its very definition simply by saying it is so. Its also the same as saying something as silly as "George W Bush is not my President". Of course he's your President if you're an American citizen, its part of the definition of being an American!
My point in this is not to say that I at all disagree with your intentions or the idea behind it. But maybe instead of abandoning the culture and the tradition because they're not quite "you", instead we should be claiming the heritage and improving upon it. Don't abandon it, claim it and make it better.
It's not abandoning it. Jesus was NOT a Christian, He was fully God and fully Man...that's it. And His followers were not called that until long after Christ had come and gone.
And I also disagree that it's "generational" thing...belonging to Gen X- I think people are beginning to realize, at least here and there, that it's about a lifestyle and a RELATIONSHIP, not a religion.
Unfortunately the term has created so much bad connotation, that non believing people do not want to be associated, or have relationships with "Christian" people- in the world we live in, "Christian" people are not tolerant, and I think we ought to be.
Rather than being known as a "Christian"- I believe it speaks stronger to known as a "Woman with strong Faith"- a woman who explifies relationship with God, love, tolerance and grace.
thanks for joining our discussion. I love it!
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