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Saying No To Theopolitics

30 July 2006 5 Comments

Even though I do not agree with Greg Boyd (open-theism is a rank heresy to me), I am glad that he took a stand against the explosive and lethal combination of church and politics (the American Flag part I disagree with). It appears that this stand will cost him dearly since approximately one-fifth of his church has left.

5 Comments »

  • Diane R said:

    Thank you very much for this. I had to blog on it so I did.

    # 30 July 2006 at 8:20 pm
  • Marc said:

    Hi,

    Yeah, I am not a fan of Open Theism either, but I sure do like that Greg Boyd guy. He was speaking my thoughts. My beef with the Christian Right is that they use carnal weapons (brow beating, bullying, Ralph Reed’s guerilla tactics to win elections) to advance the Christian faith. But the NT clearly tells us that that our battle is not with flesh and blood, but with powers and principalites in high places. Using the political process has done nothng but alienate us evangelicals from the Left, and I am tired of it. Jesus died for them too.

    # 31 July 2006 at 3:00 am
  • Don Costello said:

    In the New York Times article it reported how Pastor Boyd “lambasted the hypocrisy and pettinesss of Christians who focus on sexual issues like homosexuality and abortion”. Both of these petty abominations, homosexuality and child sacrifice, were included in God’s decision to drive out the Canaanite nations, and included in the judgment on Israel in 2 Kings 24:1-4 and Ezekiel 36:16-20. Incidentally, these two petty behaviors are now constitutionally protective behoviors in the USA. While it is wrong to focus on these things, we should oppose them in the political arena.
    Don Costello

    # 2 August 2006 at 3:50 pm
  • admin said:

    Don:

    If a Christian wants to speak out publically against abortion and homosexuality, he or she ought to be able to do that in the public arena as an individual or in a seperate focus group of Christians seperate and apart from the church. The church should point out the Bible and show where it’s wrong. Not to tell the congregation who voted for a particular piece of legislation or who voted against it. Not to fear-scare anyone in believing that voting for one particular person will bring mega curses, a trip to hell, or missing the rapture. Nor should it be the distributor of those equally biased, opposite extreme Christian voting guides that tell the pastor how to tell the congregation who to vote in order to circumvent 501c3 laws. A church that pushes politics over pastoring is a church that has a different motive than exalting Christ’s name.

    The church’s job as defined in the Bible is to specifically train up disciples to fulfill the Great Commission and the care for the poor, widowed, and orphans.

    Nowhere does the Bible state that the church should train politicians. Nowhere!!! The church needs to get out of politics altogether and become the church once again. Pastors need to be pastors and not politicians.

    In the information age, if one wants to focus on politics, then the church of MSNBC, church of Fox News, or church of CNN should appease the appetites every Sunday morning over brunch.

    # 2 August 2006 at 7:29 pm
  • Don Costello said:

    Some of the last words of David were listed in 2 Samuel 22:2, 3: “The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.” It is God’s will that men who rule , must be just , ruling in the fear of God! Is it ruling in the fear of God if an elected official promises to protects abortion rights? Is it a sin for me as a Christian to knowingly vote for that candidate? Is it ruling in the fear of God if an appointed Justice throws out laws that prosecute homosexuality? Is it a sin for me as a Christian to vote for a President who I know will appoint such justices? Concerning homosexuality, in 1 Timothy 1:8-11 it says that laws that forbid homosexuality among other things are “sound doctrine” and “according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God”. It also says in 2 Timothy 4:3 that “the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.” In light of that, is it ruling in the fear of God when a politician endorses homosexuality? Is it a sin for me as a Christian to knowingly vote for that individual? Human Government is an institution created by God and America’s form of government is by the people for the people. We vote into office those who will rule over us, this is a precious priviledge that many in the world don’t have. As Christians we have the responsibility to put into office those individuals who will best align them selves with Christian principles, to give God glory in that institution. I say that in light of the fact that we all have feet of clay.
    After reading the article I agree with much that Pastor Boyd preaches. The United States is not a Christian nation. I also feel our patriotism is a little extreme. But is is a fact concerning the two dominant political parties, that generally speaking, the Democratic Party is more godless than the Republican Party, that is when you compare who is opposed and who is for certain issues when Biblical principles are at stake.
    Don Costello

    # 3 August 2006 at 10:10 am