Opinion: A Christian and a conservative

A response of agreeing with you.

 

Unfortunately some think that if somehow we can get the folks in Washington to do what we want then everything will be okay. I heard that preached by Peter Lord in 1975. It is a democracy and the democracy is only as good or bad as the majority.

I agree. Don't you think the only real difference in the parties is mostly in word only? They sound very different ideologically but in practice they are almost the same. When was the last time we saw a major change in supporting morality? What president who said abortion was wrong ever made that change. What I find interesting is where abortions are the least and teen age pregnacies are the least in America. Someone explain that. I believe the change must come from the people in America not those in Washington, while too many are looking for change in Washington. Isn't that like pointing the finger and blaming the problem on someone else.

They do work for us, they work at spending our money on things that do not matter and things that are counterproductive. I see some religious circles also walking a similar path as politics. It seems that so many are about programs rather than being servant-leaders. Think of all the programs and ideas being touted as the solution to the church's problems when professors are telling us that students coming to the seminaries in are less biblically literate than ever before and that is one problem that is easily solved. Jesus gave the command to make discipels and he shopwed the way to do it. Buit who is following that example rather than writring books and speaking about "new methods?" How can anyone improve on what Jesus taught?

 

It was in response to what you wrote, "But, at least the Republicans are not in the hip pocket of the homosexuals, the peace nicks, the global warmer, the socialists, unions, abortionists, and liberal bleeding heart Christians who don't even believe that life begins in the womb."

Criswell who was one who spoke against liberalism and taught the Bible. He was around long before those involved in the conservative resurgence. In my opinion he led the way but got little credit for it. Yet at one time he believed what you wrote against and in reality you named him as a "liberal bleeding heart Christian." If you were to read any of Criswell books you would walk away feeling like he makes most Baptists today look like liberals.

You can tag names on people and call them liberals but then there are times when that tag does not fit based on your personal criteria.

Throughout history you will find that there have been many times when both the liberals and conservatives have been wrong in their interpretation of scripture and their actions in the world. The liberals today and even the world is pointing at some conservatives in their ignorance of scripture in the past. In recent years it has been amazing how many non-Christians I have talked with who tell me about something they heard preached. Not always but in many cases it was ignorance on the preacher's part.

I believe that humility should characterize us as Christians before the world and that goes a long ways in our approach to people especially when we are wrong.

 

Jer. 22:1-5, "Thus says the Lord, "Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and there speak this word and say, `Hear the word of the Lord, O king of Judah, who sits on David's throne, you and your servants and your people who enter these gates. `Thus says the Lord, "Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of [his] oppressor. Also do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place. "For if you men will indeed perform this thing, then kings will enter the gates of this house, sitting in David's place on his throne, riding in chariots and on horses, even the king himself and his servants and his people. "But if you will not obey these words, I swear by Myself," declares the Lord, "that this house will become a desolation." ' "

Micah 6:8, "He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?"

1 Ki. 10:9, "Blessed be the Lord your God who delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel; because the Lord loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness."

 

When Jesus turned over the tax gatherers tables that was not radical?

When Jesus called Matthew to leave his tax collector's job and follow Him that was not radical?

When I became a Christian I got several letters telling me how crazy I was. Certainly my non-Christiasn friedns and family thought it was radical. They wondered if I had joined a cult. Today most of them are Christians and those who are not see the Christians as foolish. That is not radical?

Becoming a follower of Jesus Christ is not radical?

When one will give their life for Christ that is not radical?

When one will endure persecution for Christ that is not radical?

Being a bold witness for Jesus Christ is not radical?

True discipleship is not radical?
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From the book Growing True Disciples by George Barna , pages 128 - 132

True discipleship produces holistic personal transformation, not mere assimilation into a community of church members.

True discipleship is witnessed by people who are determined to be a blessing to others - people who are never content to simply accept and enjoy God's blessings to them.

True discipleship creates Christians who aggressively pursue spiritual growth rather than passively experience spiritual evolution.

True discipleship spawns individuals who develop renewed lifestyles instead of believers who mechanically check off completed assignments on a developmental agenda.

True discipleship results in people who are more concerned about the quality of their character than the extent of their knowledge.

True discipleship builds churches known for their culture of love, commitment and service rather than for their events, information and programs.

True discipleship facilitates people devoted to a lifelong journey to imitate Jesus Christ, rather than the completion of a short-term regimen of tasks and responsibilities.
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Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen, such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of God upon the earth. ---John Wesley (1703-1791)

John Wesley was not radical?

I am unable to see how a man walking with God in obedience to Christ under the guidance of the Holy Spirit cannot be anything else but radical.

1 Cor 2:14, "But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised." That is not radical?

 

Of course. Secular or church government is only as good as the people. It is also a reflection of the people who elected or appointed them.

 

Self sacrifice for our sin is not radical?

Turning over the tax gatherers tables is not radical?

Surely architectural evangelism is not radical. Jesus went to the people with the good news and that is not radical?

People standing boldly for Christ and being executed because of their faith is not radical?

Standing for righteousness and justice instead of going along with the crowd is not radical?