Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

Not at all, all I’m saying is that we need to maintain perspective and context. We can certainly share what we believe to be the truth, we can share what we believe to be the best approach for a given problem, we can share what we believe is the Christian view. Some however can’t have a meaningful dialog without jumping in the pulpit. The arrogance and judgment I see displayed by some of my brothers and sisters seem to turn folks away from Christianity and ends the dialog rather than sustain it. Telling folks they’re going to burn for eternity in hell if they don’t listen to you (not you personally) or believe as you believe does more harm than good. It goes back to the old saying that it’s easier to lead a horse out of the barn than it is to push him out of the barn.

PhotoGenesis131 Loc: Michigan

While I agree much of what you said, I do think we need to use words not just our lifestyle to preach. In Romans:

Romans 10:14-15
... and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

OlinBost Loc: Marietta, Ga.

Back to politics: when the Democrats were in power they did things we did not like and when the Republicans were in power they had the chance to fix things (did they?) NOT! Neither party has Clean Hands.....

Bazbo Loc: Lisboa, Portugal

This just asinine.

Bangee5 Loc: Louisiana

If it is not a war why do you resist when the Gospel is presented to you. Why the attacks and the insults. It is no different then when liberals attack conservatives or Democrats attack republicans. Of course you say that it is not so that the opposite is true. You say why don't you guys just keep quiet, stop spewing your point of view and we can all get along. Is that what you want? Is that what you expect of us?

Think about it... how would you like to be treated? Can you treat others the way you expect to be treated? Can you respect my views without attacking me. I oppose socialism. Can you respect that view without defending your own views?

It is not me who made religion a war. I didn't make politics a war either. It is however, how deeply you believe in your cause is how willing you are to fight.

dljen Loc: Central PA

Yes, I can respect your beliefs in religion, if I haven't in the past, I apologize. We are at polar opposites concerning politics but that shouldn't be the deciding factor in how you treat another, Bangee. Life isn't a battle. I guess you can make it so, but I would rather not.

PhotoGenesis131 Loc: Michigan

You did not make it a war, but scripture tells us there is a war:

Ephesians 6:11-12
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

I don’t disagree at all with your post at all; I think it’s a matter of semantics (on my part). I think we’re all called to share our testimony but when it comes to preaching and teaching (by my definition) that should be left to those who have the gift for such. I see many who claim to be preaching the Word but in fact they are preaching their own denominational doctrine. It’s made very clear in I Corinthians 12 that we have different gifts. We can use different approaches that will all lead to the same result. To say that one is better than another is to say that the hand is more important that the foot. I believe that if you use the gifts you have you’ll be a greater value to the body.

Bazbo Loc: Lisboa, Portugal

Christians (or followers of any religious doctrine for that matter) should actively participate in all aspects of public life, including political and policy debates.

However, everyone should be careful not to confuse Gods purpose with their own political persuasion. People will of course have their political views informed with what they think is Gods purpose, but--be mindful of that fact that people who fail to make this distinction are more often than not on the wrong side of history. The Evangelical leaders of the '50s and '60s who preached with great thunder that it was God's will and purpose that blacks were inferior and Jim Crow and racial segregation be perpetuated were wrong, were they not? Yet those people were just as sincere and convinced of their own righteousness then as the religious right is today.

My rule of thumb is that whoever speaks with absolute certainty about Gods will in political matters will be proven wrong in the long arc of history.

Also, my view of those who speak with absolute certainty in these matters is committing blasphemy. Why? Because the mind of man has no more complete understand of the Divine than my dog has of the inner workings of a wristwatch.

That perspective brings with it a degree of humility that is not only needed but sorely lacking when people climb the pulpit to preach about politics.

PhotoGenesis131 Loc: Michigan

Yes, many Christians confuse a religion with a relationship with Jesus. The Pharisees had religion, but not love for the fellow man.

I don't think we are all called to "preach", I don't think I am. But, I do feel called to be ready in the instant to give the reason for my hope.

1 Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

Maybe we drop the ball in the meekness and fear area.

Bangee5 Loc: Louisiana

I agree with you and that was one of my points. I am sure that Pepper understood my meaning even if dljen did not. It is not that I expect Christians to get up on a soap box on a street corner but if the opportunity presents itself then by all means, preach the Good News. And if need be, defend the faith against all attacks. Let the Spirit sort out who is to be saved. To those willing to hear, give the milk of the Word but to those who attack and debate, give the full Gospel even if it means telling them the consequence of their decision.

PhotoGenesis131 Loc: Michigan

Well Said.

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

Agree :thumbup:

PhotoGenesis131 Loc: Michigan

Now the question for me is what am I going to do today to advance His Kingdom.

:arrow: Go

papayanirvana Loc: Kauai

kill an infidel?