Is "jesus Is Coming Soon" A Reason To Be Apathetic?

The Bible doesn't endorse cars, hot running water, electric toothbrushes, and pools in our back yards either, but you avail yourself of these conveniences. A bit selective aren't you?

 

I agree with your last several posts, Pastor Larry, but still desire that little ole Mrs. Smith doesn't vote for Hillary, because she says she'll provide better medical care, when the actual truth is underlying and full of socialism, abortion, hatred for the military, etc. You may, and I'm sure do, preach values from the pulpit but dear old Mrs. Smith doesn't know of Hillary's dark side, only what Hillary wants her to hear.

I'm sure the 501c status encompasses the taxation, and they are inextricably tied together.

 

"Churches and other non-profit organizations that hold 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status must abide by Internal Revenue Service regulations barring any involvement in partisan politics. The blanket prohibition concerns only races for public office, not issues. Religious leaders may speak out from the pulpit or in other forums on moral and political issues. However, churches and pastors may not endorse candidates for public office or advise congregants to vote for or against certain candidates. Federal tax law in this area is quite strict, and the IRS has indicated that it follows a “zero tolerance” policy toward violations."

http://projectfairplay.org/faq/

 

Are you really this desperate?

I use cars, hot running water, and I participate in teh political process by voting. In personal conversations, I don't mind talking about politics, in fact, I enjoy it. (I don't have an electric toothbrush or a pool in the backyard.)

However, when I am in the pulpit, I do not endorse cars, methods of how you get water into your house or what temperature it is, electric toothbrushes, or pools in teh backyard. None of those things are issues that can be preached from the Bible ... juts like politics.

So I am not selective in the least. In the pulpit I treat them all the same.

What you are missing, for some reason, is the difference between my personal views and the proper topic of pulpit conversation. When I am speaking for me, I can talk about all kinds of things. When I get in the pulpit I am speaking for God and am therefore limited to things God has said.

Socialism, better medical care, hatred for the military are not really biblical issues so far as I can tell. Abortion is.

Keeping Hillary out of the WH will not save America. Getting Ron Paul in teh WH will not save America. And neither one will save people.

Why is it my job, from the pulpit, to expose Hillary's dark side? Or anyone else's?

To me, the issue is simple: Will I let my preaching be dictated by God or by the newspapers and news cycle? I have a mandate to preach the Bible, not politics.
I am not greatly concerned with whether someone votes for Hillary, or Ron Paul, or Guiliani, or whoever. I am greatly concerned with whether or not they are working for the kingdom to come, through the gospel and allegiance to God's word.

It is interesting that some of you guys sound like anaBaptist theonomists. You want the government to stay completely separate from teh church but then you want to legislate a biblical worldview and use the church pulpit to talk about politics. You can't have it both way. I am convinced that the anaBaptists and the Theonomists are wrong.

As an individual, I can and should be involved in the political process. But not as a pastor in the pulpit or in my role as pastor. I have a higher allegiance.

 

OK Pastor, I give up, and concede that you can conduct yourself in this manner and be fully under the Lords leading. I simply disagree, in that Mrs. Smith should be informed of the full ramifications of her ignorance. I do greatly respect your general walk with Him, as I see it here, and enjoy your approach on many issues. Thanks

 

I don't disagree with this. My only point is the venue in which this is done. I don't think the Bible gives us room to do this in teh church.

Do it outside the church. Do it in personal conversation. Do it wherever. But not the pulpit.

Thanks for the interaction. Always good to hash things out again.