A Call to Christians to Take Back the Faith

[EricStratton]

It is interesting to see that this article came from CNN. I just watched Anderson Cooper's "Sex and Salvation" special last night, and I saw where there was a special, perhaps a series, coming on CNN tonight called "What Would Jesus REALLY Do?". Seems like they are really digging into a lot of these religious questions and arguments we discuss on here.

[Conveyor Belt]

I think Jesus would have been a democrat... maybe even a socialist... which is kinda ironic when you think about where Christians put their support, usually.

I believe Jesus asked his followers to live a life of service to their fellow man. How many unnecessary things do you have in your life? Do you need the $200,000 home or the $20,000 car or the $300 suit you go to church to every sunday in your multi million dollar church? I've read the bible, and maybe it's the dyslexia kicking in, but I don't think that's what Jesus had in mind...

[aaron]

A democrat? I don't think Jesus liked government that much. They ended up crucifying him.

[Conveyor Belt]

A democrat? I don't think Jesus liked government that much. They ended up crucifying him.

I"m not sure this is the way QM would want this topic to go...

On a whole, Democrats are about using money from the rich population to give and support the poor. Jesus, while not using the government, asked that people give to the poor and destitute. He healed the sick for free and gave the hungry food when he could... now, maybe it was all parable, but if we're taking the NT literally, Jesus would be more likely to vote Democratic (barring the abortion issue) than for corporation loving Republicans.

[aaron]

Well, he did say give unto Caesar's what is Caesar's. I still think he would have preferred that all the giving take place from the Christians themselves, instead of handing it over to the government, and them distributing it.

[Conveyor Belt]

Well, he did say give unto Caesar's what is Caesar's. I still think he would have preferred that all the giving take place from the Christians themselves, instead of handing it over to the government, and them distributing it.

That's true... but it was a different type of government. Part of me likes to think that Jesus was viewed as a subversive because he asked that they give unto Ceaser... which would cause the population to mutiny at the point they started to really look into what was going on, or so I like to think. But what would Jesus think of a democracy, where our money (in theory) is given to a central place to be distributed according to need (which it is, kind of). We send X dollars to Washington and get XXX dollars back (in MS). The government takes money from one place and gives it to those in need, ie Katrina. Now, it does a poor job of handling the money, but the spirit is there.

[aaron]

That's true... but it was a different type of government. Part of me likes to think that Jesus was viewed as a subversive because he asked that they give unto Ceaser... which would cause the population to mutiny at the point they started to really look into what was going on, or so I like to think. But what would Jesus think of a democracy, where our money (in theory) is given to a central place to be distributed according to need (which it is, kind of). We send X dollars to Washington and get XXX dollars back (in MS). The government takes money from one place and gives it to those in need, ie Katrina. Now, it does a poor job of handling the money, but the spirit is there.

Yep, it does a poor job. Why? Corruption. So, I doubt he would have any affiliation to any government.

[EricStratton]

Back on topic...

I agree with this article, QM, in the sense that issues of "morality and values" have been reduced to abortion and gay marriage, and that only a candidate who opposed abortion and gay marriage is considered a candidate of "values" by the conservative machine.

[Conveyor Belt]

Yep, it does a poor job. Why? Corruption. So, I doubt he would have any affiliation to any government.

Wonder what he'd think of Churches that handle money in a similarly poor fashion...

[HorseWhisperer]

No comment...

[zorro]

I personally prefer an article by Albert Mohler titled "Transforming Culture: Christian Truth Confronts Post-Christian America". The article ends with these words:

We must understand that, in the Christian worldview, culture is important, but never ultimate. Beyond this, we acknowledge that God is sovereign, and His providence rules over all.

The mission of the Church in the midst of this cultural crisis is to proclaim the truth and reach out to the casualties. In the face of rampant relativisms, the believing Church must proclaim the truth of God's Word, the permanence of His commands, and the reality of His judgment. Given the cultural context, this task is one of the most important tests of Christian faithfulness. To proclaim biblical truth to this culture is to risk social isolation, outright rejection, and, in some cases, potent attacks.

The Church which proclaims that adultery, premarital sex, and homosexuality are inherently and unquestionably sinful will quickly discover what it means to be cut off from the cultural mainstream. The preacher who takes on the divorce culture and takes his stand for the enduring covenant of marriage will run into direct confrontation with society's attraction to "open marriage" and what some now describe as "serial monogamy." The Christian who stands in defense of the unborn will be told that her voice is unwanted, unheeded, and unwelcome--and in no uncertain terms.

To contend for Christian truth in the face of this culture is to discover what it means to be a member of a cognitive minority; that is, a minority which quite evidently thinks and lives differently than the larger culture. To confess the truths of God's Word in late twentieth-century America is to take on a counter-cultural posture; to stand against the stream and to press against the grain.

At the same time, we must reach out and minister to the casualties of our cultural rebellion. The Church of Jesus Christ is comprised of sinners saved by grace. With the message of grace, we must reach out to those whose lives have been ruined and warped in the course of our cultural decay. Only the Church has the honest and truthful answers concerning the most basic issues facing our society. Our challenge is to match truth to compassion, and mercy to confrontation.

This was true in the first century, it is true now, and it may well be true until the Lord returns. In our depravity, human beings naturally rebel against the truth of God's Word, but it reveals the only means of salvation. Our charge is to bear witness.

The truths of God's Word reveal the Gospel of spiritual transformation, and the proclamation of the truths of God's Word is the only means available to us of cultural transformation. From beginning to end, it is all in God's hands. We are called to faithful witness and compassionate ministry. In the context of post-Christian America, our task is to preach the Gospel and to proclaim the truths of God's Word. As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, the Gospel is foolishness to those seeking wisdom and a scandal to those looking for power. To the redeemed, however, the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. Here is found the only genuine transformation. Therein is found our charge.

Full article can be found here: http://www.albertmohler.com/article_read.php?cid=1

[Conveyor Belt]

zorro, your article is exactly what QM's article was talking about...

[zorro]

zorro, your article is exactly what QM's article was talking about...
No, not exactly.

[EricStratton]

I personally prefer an article by Albert Mohler titled "Transforming Culture: Christian Truth Confronts Post-Christian America". The article ends with these words:



Full article can be found here: http://www.albertmohler.com/article_read.php?cid=1

Z,

I think part of the problem is with that word "Truth". There are a lot of people who do not adhere to the Biblical "truths" that you do. However, I believe, as the CNN article QM posted indicates, that, despite our theological differences, most people can agree that issues such as homelessness, racism, healthcare issues, and educational issues are issues of "value" which need to be addressed.

Your article seems to, like the CNN article mentions, reduce the values debate to homosexuality and premarital sex. Not to say that these aren't valued issues, especially to strict Biblical constructionists, but there are more issues out there.

[wilebill]

Your article seems to, like the CNN article mentions, reduce the values debate to homosexuality and premarital sex. Not to say that these aren't valued issues, especially to strict Biblical constructionists, but there are more issues out there.If the homeless, sick, racist dumb people would all claim to be homos, they'd probably get a lot more attention.