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Disowning Conservative Politics Is Costly for Pastor

Discussion in 'Political Debate & Discussion' started by ACADEMIC, Aug 26, 2006.

  1. ACADEMIC

    ACADEMIC New Member

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    MAPLEWOOD, Minn. (July 30) -- Like most pastors who lead thriving evangelical megachurches, the Rev. Gregory A. Boyd was asked frequently to give his blessing -- and the church's -- to conservative political candidates and causes.

    The requests came from church members and visitors alike: Would he please announce a rally against gay marriage during services? Would he introduce a politician from the pulpit? Could members set up a table in the lobby promoting their anti-abortion work? Would the church distribute “voters’ guides” that all but endorsed Republican candidates? And with the country at war, please couldn’t the church hang an American flag in the sanctuary?

    After refusing each time, Mr. Boyd finally became fed up, he said. Before the last presidential election, he preached six sermons called “The Cross and the Sword” in which he said the church should steer clear of politics, give up moralizing on sexual issues, stop claiming the United States as a “Christian nation” and stop glorifying American military campaigns.

    “When the church wins the culture wars, it inevitably loses,” Mr. Boyd preached. “When it conquers the world, it becomes the world. When you put your trust in the sword, you lose the cross.”

    Mr. Boyd says he is no liberal. He is opposed to abortion and thinks homosexuality is not God’s ideal. The response from his congregation at Woodland Hills Church here in suburban St. Paul -- packed mostly with politically and theologically conservative, middle-class evangelicals -- was passionate. Some members walked out of a sermon and never returned. By the time the dust had settled, Woodland Hills, which Mr. Boyd founded in 1992, had lost about 1,000 of its 5,000 members.

    But there were also congregants who thanked Mr. Boyd, telling him they were moved to tears to hear him voice concerns they had been too afraid to share.

    Continue reading articel at: http://articles.news.aol.com/news/_a/disowning-conservative-politics-is/20060729195809990004

    Any thoughts?

    ----------------------------------
     
  2. Not_hard_to_find

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    After reading the entire article, I believe the pastor should have continued preaching from the scriptures, which grew his congregation. He is correct in one area, politics does not belong in the pulpit.

    It is always sad to see a church split. The divisiveness always spreads to others.
     
  3. UberSmith

    UberSmith New Member

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    Hmmmm

    Bully for Him. The American Church seems to have lost much of its reputation as an institution that is suppose to give comfort to the lost and lead them to the Way because it is often seen as the religious arm of the Republican party --- However, I'm sure that Jesus was an Independant. The Pastor was gutsy and 100% right.
     
  4. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

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    Those who left must have wanted a Political Action Committee, not a church. Good riddance!
     
  5. The Galatian

    The Galatian New Member

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    I'm sure that the people who regard the Gospel is insufficient, will find a church with the desired add-ons.

    Meantime, this minister has kept his church focused on God.

    Sounds like a good thing, all around.
     
  6. carpro

    carpro Well-Known Member
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    I wonder what that means?
     
  7. ACADEMIC

    ACADEMIC New Member

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    thinks homosexuality is not God’s ideal.

    It is not a direct quote from Boyd. Hence, it the way the journalist summarized his words.
     
  8. ACADEMIC

    ACADEMIC New Member

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  9. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
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    I don't care about his politics. He's an open theist. That's what bothers me.
     
  10. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Where can one find this information?
     
  11. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
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    He admits being an open theist, and he wrote God of the Possible to argue for it. I've read through Letters from a Skeptic (another of his works), and he admits to it in there as well.

    You can google him and open theism. You'll get plenty of hits.
     
  12. hill

    hill New Member

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    I am very upset with the way the world has put churches in a box from which they will not tell the truth about politicians and politics. They have full rights and the responsibility to flesh out all therse issues before the Body of Christ to shine the light of truth on it. It is a simple matter not to say, "vote/don't vote for Joe" while showing plainly everything Joe stands for and how it fares before the Word.

    But, the Body of Christ is being handled exceptionally well by the left. Look at John McCains completely unconstitutional Campaign Finance Reform bill. It's almost universally accepted.
     
  13. Petra-O IX

    Petra-O IX Active Member

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    I applaud what this Pastor has done. Politics have defiled our churches for too long as it is. If you have God's word written on your heart that should be sufficient. Jesus ran the money changers out of His Fathers house and those that bring in the politics into the church are no different than the Money changers.
     
  14. Joseph_Botwinick

    Joseph_Botwinick <img src=/532.jpg>Banned

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    You mean like the Catholic Church?

    Joseph Botwinick
     
  15. The Galatian

    The Galatian New Member

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  16. The Galatian

    The Galatian New Member

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    Barbarian oberves:
    I'm sure that the people who regard the Gospel is insufficient, will find a church with the desired add-ons.


    You mean like Sola Scriptura? That was invented by Luther.
    Sola Fide? By Luther, too.

    No, as long as you hold to the essentials of faith in Jesus, modern inventions like those won't hurt you. I meant things like political campaigns.

    If you love God, and do what's right, it won't matter if you believe that one is justified by works as well as faith, as God says in James.

    But a church that follows a political party is lost to God.
     
  17. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    I too, applaud this pastor for standing firm on religious grounds rather than political innuendo week after week after week.

    I do, however, believe in a balance in the pulpit, which sometimes includes political information.......as it relates to the church.

    Again, a balanced pulpit, with the main emphasis around the person and doctrines of Jesus. Lets build the church. That's what took all my time when in ministry. It was a full time job.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  18. hill

    hill New Member

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  19. Alcott

    Alcott Well-Known Member
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    You cannot go to work, or invest, and earn money, and give any of it to God if you also give some of it to political parties? Or you cannot make speeches or teach classes for the cause of the gospel if you also stump for political parties or candidates? That is considerably on the stupid side.
     
  20. thjplgvp

    thjplgvp Member

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    Galatian,

    I realize this is not a theolology section but could you expand your following quote for a clearer understanding.

    "If you love God, and do what's right, it won't matter if you believe that one is justified by works as well as faith, as God says in James."

    thjplgvp
     
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