tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658534854748504395.post2111901585323184283..comments2016-01-01T11:01:18.623-08:00Comments on Christians, Politics, and Religion: The Problem of Christian PoliticsAndyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658534854748504395.post-25673995151753023042016-01-01T11:01:18.623-08:002016-01-01T11:01:18.623-08:00Great thoughts Richard. Love your input. I have no...Great thoughts Richard. Love your input. I have not read Oss Guinness's book but I will definitely check it out.Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658534854748504395.post-22340690612059704322016-01-01T10:59:52.292-08:002016-01-01T10:59:52.292-08:00Great questions! I intend to answer all of this in...Great questions! I intend to answer all of this in future posts so please keep with me. <br /><br />Thank you for your support on the idea about wedges being driven in the congregation, and while I believe that this issue is widespread, it's by no means universal. I am glad that you are standing beside those who hold to different views than you have.<br /> <br /><br />I love your last point. The only way that we can change is by being an active part of the solutionAndyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16973660631964143410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658534854748504395.post-75254709987745679752015-12-31T18:12:19.519-08:002015-12-31T18:12:19.519-08:00Andy,
Great topic! Some reading I have found help...Andy,<br /><br />Great topic! Some reading I have found helpful is that of Oss Guinness. His book, "The Call", while almost twenty years old, still addresses these topics. In one chapter, he discusses the politicization of Christianity in direct conflict with the necessary tension in one's faith. Quoting Guinness, "Called to be 'in' the world but 'not of it,' Christian engagement in politics should always be marked by tension between allegiance to Christ and identification with any party, movement, platform, or agenda. If that tension is ever lacking, if Christian identification with a political movement is so close that there is not any clear remainder, then the church has fallen for a particularly deadly captivity."<br /><br />Further on, "Christians have every right to be in the public square and every right to take the positions they have. That is not the problem. But to the degree that Christian activism in public life becomes a politicization of the church-an identification with political movements on either right or left WITHOUT CRITICAL TENSION-to that degree Christian activism will betray Christ and stoke the fires of its own and the church's rejection."<br /><br />Simply put, our allegiance and trust can never be put in earthly forms and kingdoms. No utopia will be achieved from any one nation, party, or establishment. There is only one Prince of Peace, and until His return, zealous hope in man is futile.<br /><br />Richard F.Richard F.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15997015645949607823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658534854748504395.post-14763441288813442232015-12-31T15:41:40.761-08:002015-12-31T15:41:40.761-08:00I agree with your belief in theory. Unfortunately,...I agree with your belief in theory. Unfortunately, I see too many unapologetic foundational violations of the Christian belief on one side of the political isle whose party members that are also Christian say, "Well I do not support that party stance" but will vote for one of that party's leaders who uphold that party stance. How does one justify that position from a Christian perspective? And I am guessing those on the other side of the isle will say the same about my stances. How does one reconcile being a Christian and voting for leaders who advocate for abortion or gay marriage?<br /><br />In regards to wedges being driven, I would not allow another person's beliefs to be the reason why I unfriend or break fellowship with another believer. Likewise, I would hope that other believers would feel the same towards me, my beliefs and our fellowship. In cases where fellowship has been broken, it was another Christian's derogatory words and name calling that was the cause. I believe you are correct. The body of Christ can not and should not act in this manner. <br /><br />I believe one important question to rise from this topic is that if you hear of or observe a Christian act unChristlike toward another Christian, are you willing to confront the abuser, even if that person is a friend of yours or someone with a similar belief system as yours? I believe the answer to that question represents the true strength of a particular church. Psyc_Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539035362820442247noreply@blogger.com