10 Reasons Why Pastors Avoid the Culture War
by Doug GilesAs far as I’m concerned, a silent or waffling pastor in today’s paranormal climate is unnecessary. I don’t care how much the minister likes kitty cats, candy canes, and if he cries at Celine Dion concerts. Look, Voiceless Vicar, if you’re not currently in the middle of this crucial cultural squabble, pointing out what’s putrid and cheering on what’s proper, then you’re Dr. Evil in my book.
Given that the culture-dividing issues, thanks to Obama, are more obvious than Joan Rivers’ last lip implants, it is mind-boggling to me that many ministers are mute or side with parties, policies and principles that are antithetical to the Judeo-Christian worldview. I don’t know if you got this memo in seminary but pastors are not only supposed to salvage souls but also build the good society.
In some kind of ascending order, it seems to me there are 10 reasons why pastors and priests avoid political and intense cultural issues and thus aid and abet evil:
1. Fear of Man: If you purport to be a man of God then your regard for God and His opinion must trump the trepidation of the creature God created from spit and mud. Come on, man of God, don’t fear the crowd . . . we’re peons with cell phones who’ll shoot Botox into our foreheads. We’re weird and fickle weather vanes of what’s en vogue. You’ve got to lead us. Therefore, move into the Moses mode and command us to be and do what is holy, just and good. The grinning, mild, subtle Oprah approach doesn’t seem to be stemming the current flood of cultural filth.
2. Ignorance: Most people are not bold in areas in which they are ignorant . . . always excepting Janeane Garofalo, of course. I know keeping up with all the pressing political issues is maddening, but that’s life, brother, and if you want to be a voice in society and not just an echo, you have got to be in the know. Staying briefed is par for the course for the hardy world changer.
3. Division: Y’know, I hate the current non-essential divisions in the church as much as the next acerbic Christian columnist. Squabbling over the color of the carpet, who’ll play the organ next Sunday or who is the Beast of Revelation, is stupidity squared. That being said, there’s a time and place for a holy throw-down and an ecclesiastical split from political policies and parties. For a minister to seek unity with secularists when they are trashing and rewriting Scripture with impunity is to side with vice and to allow darkness to succeed.
4. Last Days Madness: Many ministers do not get involved in political issues because they believe that “it simply doesn’t matter” since “the end has come.” These defeatists believe that any change in the jet stream, war, earthquakes, a warming globe, the success of a corrupt politician—or even a new Shakira video—are “proof” that God is getting really, really ticked off and that His only recourse is to have Christ physically return and kick some major butt. Attempting to right culture is, in the defeatists’ eyes, equivalent to polishing brass on a sinking ship; therefore, they are content to simply pass out gospel tracts, tramp from Christian rock concert to Christian rock concert, eat fatty foods and stare at Christian TV.
5. Sloth: Classically defined, sloth is lethargy stemming from a sense of hopelessness. Viewing our nation and the world as an irreparable disaster, where our exhortations, prayers, votes and labors will not produce any temporal fruit, leaves one with all the fervor of a normal guy who’s forced to French kiss his sister. If you’re wondering why your flock is so apathetic, Pastor Eeyore, ask yourself if you have stolen the earthly hope that their valiant efforts can actually prevail in time and not just in eternity.
6. They don’t want to lose their tax-exempt status: Many pastors, priests and parishioners have been cowed into inactivity by the threatened loss of their tax-exempt status if they say anything remotely political. This can make pastors who don’t, or won’t, get good legal advice about as politically active as Howard Hughes was during the flu season.
7. They bathe in paltry pietism: Pastors avoid politics because such concerns are “unspiritual,” and their focus is on the “spirit world.” Yes, to such imbalanced ministers, political affairs are seen as “temporal and carnal,” and since they trade in the “eternal and spiritual,” such “worldly” issues get nada.
This bunch is primarily into heavenly emotions and personal Bible study, and they stay safely tucked away from society and its complicated issues. How sweet. They forget that they are commanded to be seriously engaged with our culture or fall into the worthless manure category Christ warned them of (Mt. 5.13). Snap.
8. They have bought into the Taliban comparison: Pastors have muffled their political/cultural voices because they fear being lumped in with Islam by the politically-correct thought police. The correlation made between Christians’ non-violent attempts at policy persuasion and the Taliban’s kill-you-in-your-sleep campaigns is nothing more than pure, uncut crapola.
9. They can’t say “no” to minutiae: Some ministers can’t get involved in studying or speaking out regarding pressing issues simply because of the ten tons of junk they are forced to field within their congregations. Spending time wet nursing 30-year-olds without a life and being bogged down in committee meetings over which shade of pink paint should be used for the women’s ministerial wing of their church, ministers are lucky if they get to study the Bible nowadays—much less anything else.
10. They like the money: The creepy thing about a lot of ministers is their unwillingness to give political or cultural offense when offense is needed, simply because taking a biblical stand on a political issue might cost them their mega-church, which means their seven homes, their Bentley and their private jet. Oh well, what do you expect? Christ had His Judas, and evangelicalism has its money loving hookers.
If the ministers within the good old US of A would crucify their fear of man, get solidly briefed regarding the chief political issues, not sweat necessary division, not get caught up in last days madness, maintain their hope for tomorrow, understand their liberties under God and our Constitution, not become so heavenly minded that they’re no earthly good, focus on the majors and blow off bowing to cash instead of convictions, then maybe . . . just maybe . . . we will see their righteous influence cause our nation to take the needed sharp turn away from the secularist progressives’ speedily approaching putrid pit.
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442 Comments
As a Protestant I have been hearing a lot of anti-liberalism (which is anti-God) coming from my Pastor. It's worked into the sermon and everyone is catching it….I like it because it's honest. The Bible is the Holy Word of God….and if Pastors stick strictly to God's Word and His true meaning, today's Godless culture doesn't stand a chance in the pulpit. It's the cotton candy Christians who only want to hear sugar-coated sermons that will find themselves in trouble at the end of the game.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Pamela Pope. Pamela Pope said: RT @Q_Element: 10 Reasons Why Pastors Avoid the Culture War http://bit.ly/BcRgy [...]
Just to be clear, you're saying that liberalism is anti-God, not anti-liberalism, correct?
Had to read your comment a few times to be sure (sort of).
"become so heavenly minded that they’re no earthly good.."
A profundity of the highest order! Congratulations on a very good article.
The Apostle John commands us to speak the truth with love. I'm sure you believe you're speaking the truth– and hopefully that will generate a worthy debate here.
But darned if I can see even the slightest hint of Christian love in your sarcasm-laden post. If you can't muster the love, why are you even bothering?
Truth… and love.
Yours in Christ.
calling some one to repentance is the ultimate loving act.
He wants to see them on the straight and narrow path, and to avoid the temptations of the world in the same way that Christ's message does.
I can't even imagine John the Baptist among our current civilization. I mean, just try to imagine him here among us today, what he'd be saying and how thoroughly the Left would be, well, "calling for his head".
John 18:36
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.
Romans 13:1-2
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
John 15:20
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
2Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
John 8:36
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
John 19:10-11
Then Pilate said to Him, "Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?" Jesus answered, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above…..
1John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;" —2nd Thessalonians 2:1-3
"Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left" (Matthew 24:41).
"Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left" (Luke 17:36).
"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." —1st Corinthians 15:51-53
Good article, Mr. Giles, but I'm surprised you left Dear Leader out as an example of "Ignorance". Obama's entire foreign policy consists of one thing: Joe Biden. That, in and of itself, is scary. However, it's a prime example of someone going boldly into an area where he is completely ignorant. And now that ignorance has been lauded by the Nobel Prize committee.
Personally, I think more of us– ministers and laymen alike– should be diving into protecting our God-given rights. We're certainly far less ignorant than Dear Leader.
RIGHT ON! Great Great article. You are in my love book now, ty. good job
Oh looky…. another liberal troll clicking "thumbs down". Go back to bed, troll. It's too early to check the mailbox for your welfare money.
Re Last Days Paranoia: That's a particular peeve of mine. I hate it when people indulge in that sort of mentality.
Whether or not it's the end, I'm personally not gonna stop fighting for what's right until I die. That fight can always make a difference, right until the very last second.
Pastors cannot build good societies in a corrupt and sinful world. They can preach the bible and tell people about needing to be saved. But in the end, this world will not last, and will be made new. Pastors should never be man pleasers, and should always preach the bible as it is. But first you have to be a bible believing pastor to begin with . Alot are compromisers on things like evolution, salvation, accuracy of the bible,homosexuality, and so on. Or come from a false religion like catholicism, morminism, jehovah witness, lutheran, some methodists, tounges speaking charismatic penecostals, gay churches. Thinmk about it, in an article about pastors afraid to offend sinners, you were afraid to offend the false religion of catholicism, and included priests in your pastor grouping. How ironic.
Excellent post, Doug.
This reminds of an excerpt from a speech that a Pastor when he preached against abortion and for adoption:
"There was a time when the church was very powerful–in the time when the early Christians rejoiced at being deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society. Whenever the early Christians entered a town, the people in power became disturbed and immediately sought to convict the Christians for being "disturbers of the peace" and "outside agitators."' But the Christians pressed on, in the conviction that they were "a colony of heaven," called to obey God rather than man. Small in number, they were big in commitment. They were too God-intoxicated to be "astronomically intimidated." By their effort and example they brought an end to such ancient evils as infanticide and gladiatorial contests. Things are different now. So often the contemporary church is a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. So often it is an archdefender of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church's silent–and often even vocal–sanction of things as they are.
But the judgment of God is upon the church as never before. If today's church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century. Every day I meet young people whose disappointment with the church has turned into outright disgust."
The excerpt is from "A Letter from a Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King
http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_B...
Christianity at large is losing followers rapidly these days. Pastors avoid the culture wars because they more of a fuss they make about them the more adherents they lose. Most people seem to want to believe in a higher power and even attend church as long as it doesn't mean they actually have to read the bible or commit too much of themselves. The more you ask of them the more they gravitate toward non-demoninational mega-churches. It doesn't help that a great many churches are having problems staying relevant in light of modern scientific knowledge.Seriously, any church that continues to deny evolution and preach literalism is going to be increasingly marginalized in the coming years.
Whoops
The first sentence should read:
"This reminds of an excerpt from a speech that a Pastor cited when he preached against abortion and for adoption:"
Odd, Obama promotes peace, diplomacy and respect for other countries as foreign policy and you berate him. You've obviously missed the nuance of his face to the world, perhaps you'd rather he just bomb another country?
A little early for this much hate, too
hmmm… having grown up in a Southern Baptist Church most of my life… I don't think any of my pastors have had the problems you described…. as long as they are preaching in love and not scaring the living daylights out of you (ie, the infamous fire and brimstone) it works… You can still speak out against the atrocities of this world and be apolitical at the same time.
Except for the inconvenient little fact that the non-denominational, evolution-rejecting evangelical megachurches you attack are the only ones growing. The dying churches are the old denominational ones, many of them liberal. I agree that pastors will lose adherents if they make too much of a fuss about culture wars. But who cares? Separate the wheat and chaff.
That you think your particular flavor of religion is any less "false" than others is funny. That you think "compromising" on the obviously proven reality of evolution and right of homosexuals to do as God made them is sad. Biblical accuracy? Good luck with that, translating a book from a language with roughly 44,000 words into a language with millions (not to mention a few other languages in between) is a pretty tall order.
This article articulates many conversations I've had with my own circle of Catholic friends. I cannot say how frustrating it is to speak personally with a priest who is profound, wise, and Truthful, only to see him get in front of a few hundred people and become a shy, bumbling fool. I one million percent agree with #1. More than once I've seen priests try to teach that abortion is wrong without saying "abortion is wrong." I've seen other priests unapologeticly give the same teaching and some in the congregation have walked out of the sermon. The courageous priests don't seem so obsessed with what humans think about them.
Personally, I think that the Preachers that don't acknowledge evolution are becoming more far and few between… at least in my experience. It was my old (I'm talking a guy in his 70's here) Baptist preacher that introduced me to a Creation theory that involves evolution (and could still be deemed "literal" as the hebrew word for day… 'yom'… used in the Creation Story has at least three different meanings)… But don't take my word for it. But I do agree with you on the committment aspect of "Christians"…
The animosity in Brother Giles's post is obvious. I can't judge his heart; if he says his apparent hatred is motivated by love then I can only take his word for it.
If he's calling anyone to repentance, it's the pastors who, though our brothers in Christ, aren't antagonistic enough to secular liberals for Brother Giles's comfort. I don't see even the slightest hint that he is calling unbelievers to repentance; this appears to be more about defeating political opponents (secular OR born again) in political warfare.
Anyway, the "ultimate loving act" is certainly not the act of asking pastors to get political. No, the ultimate loving act occurred on the Cross, when He who was sinless took on our sins.
And for the record, I'm not against pastors being political. Jesus himself had a lot of harsh words for those who mistreated the poor; he told people to pay taxes; he attacked money changers who operated in the temple. He certainly spoke out against evil. But let's speak the truth with love. This is not only biblical, it's essential if our true aim is converting the lost. No unbeliever ever came to Christ through a Christian's hostile condemnation of them. And if Brother Giles can't speak of pastors in a loving tone, I shudder to think of how he speaks of unbelievers (especially those whose politics he disapproves). Every single one of his points is appropriate– and every single one of them could be said in love without losing any of their substance.
You wrote the words from the Apostle John yourself–"Speak the truth with love." God does not command us to only speak the truth that people want to hear. He wants us to tell the truth people don't always want to hear, but in a manner that is loving and kind so that they may actually listen.
there is a third alternative to evolution and literalism. It is day-age creationism. google Hugh Ross.
Rush Limbaugh anyone? He may not be adorned in animal skins and making his meals of locust and honey, but he sure as heck is a voice in the wilderness. In fact, just being a conservative these days can leave one relating to the great John the Baptist.
Excellent article. You really nailed it.
I come from a church in which a lot of people believe in your "last days madness". I personally believe that we do not know the day, nor the hour, so we should do what is right in the meantime.
Mike, taking your logic a step further I guess you would castigate Christ for his attitude toward the money changers in the Temple?
As the Messiah Jesus called the strictly religious Pharisees snakes and vipers and sons of hell (look it up), I see the writer here calling out pastors who are compromising the Gospel hope and power for good, genuine and eternal change. As a full time preacher/pastor, I am diligently involved in meeting people where they are and helping them find the Light in this present darkness. He may talk rough, but the Apostle Peter was not poet gentleman, either. Get toughter skins and tenderer hearts… but know that we are in a war that will give not quarter to those who refuse to become engaged. Where will YOU stand when the dust clears?
Excellent post. Early Christians transformed the entire Roman Empire. The forces of evil have responded by changing their methods and argument, but forces of evil they remain.
Satan used Scripture to try to tempt Jesus. Much as we are told that morality demands we forfeit our freedoms for the "common good". We need to regalvanize our efforts, and speak Truth.
Good thinking, Mr. Snerd.
Why go to great lengths and twist your beliefs into a pretzel to reconcile the sketchy concept of Biblical Creationism and the brutally obvious concept of Evolution? It might be easier on everyone and more accurate to renounce Creationism.
By the way, embracing Evolution isn't the same as endorsing the big bang theory or any origin-of-life theory. Evolution pretty much just starts with life and goes from there, instead of guessing what happened to cause life.
point taken on my clumsy wording. It seems to me that calling the church leadership to repentance is a good idea, when and if they are in error. (isn't that what the gospels were, letters to church leaders?) Their role is to lead thier flocks, and if they are off course what chance do the sheep have? The individual members all have struggles to overcome. The pastors play an important role for them as an anchor.
Do pastors need to be political? no. But they do need to have a strong foundation. and being gentle towards sin does not help anyone.
Mikey:
Is Mr. Giles referring to you when he mentions "paltry pietism"?
Hmmmmmm……
Oh, grow up…
John the Baptist would be diagnosed with a mental disorder and heavily medicated.
Not a very good alternative, alas. Hugh Ross was educated enough to understand the astronomical and cosmological aspects of the evolution of the universe, but not the biological ones. He seems to dissmis the fossil record and molecular biology. Hehe, "sublimely silly, trivial, vaguely stated, or perfectly compatible with actual evolutionary biology." – review of Ross by PZ Myers.
*dismiss, idiot
so if all other churches are false (and it seems you condemn most of the major denominations) what is the one true way?
I have no issue with someone seeking out the true path. But it seems that either a church that was a reformation of another or a restoration of the true faith is required, if you believe there is only one true church.
Either God allows all ways or he allows one.
so if he allows all, it is unimportant to which you belong.
If he allows only one, It would be our job to find it. I say ask God to guide you; once you have learned about a church, pray and ask about it.
So since so many of us belong to one of your list of false churches, please tell us, which is the one true path to god?
My example of how a pastor should behave would be based on Christ who is the ultimate truth; and the priests of his day, who frustrated Him. He didn't personally focus on politics but he cared about how people were affected personally. Jesus also frustrated some of his followers because It was expected of the Messiah to free Israel from Roman tyranny, but as God in the flesh, He came for much more than that. He certainly confronted situations when they arose; such as telling roman soldiers, who also acted as policemen, to not falsely accuse citizens and extort money from them…and when he was given a trick question about taxes he replied that we should give to caesar what is caesar's and give to God what is God's. I do agree with your article; the priests of two thousand years ago could also be corrupt and went after power and money. They should have been more like Moses and Job; protecting the widows and oprhans and bringing truth and light into the culture. great article Doug.
I can only imagine how what it is. It seems much easier to stand strong when you have others to help. Maybe a conservative athiest group is needed. Good luck to you.
Man oh man I have been asking this question for awhile now and not getting anywhere with any of my fellow Christian friends and Pastors. Pastors say you need to stay faithful through these times. Well DUH!
I read in His word to put on the full armor of GOD, well that tells me we are in a battle. I have come to the conclusion I don't care anymore about the leaders of the church looking to them to lead me, I now look to GOD Himself through HIS strength I will fight and endure what is set before me. Thanks I knew I wasn't alone in this matter.
[...] [...]
Since you are not Catholic, nor Mormon, nor Pentecostal, nor Lutheran, we know to disregard your self-righteous opinion. Remember that the Bible is the INSPIRED word of God, not one handed down by the angel Gabriel directly to someone ambitious. The prophets were sent to change the hearts of men, not to gaze into a crystal ball. The Scripture is not always literal fact but is always truth. Lighten up, Francis.
Congratulations, you can copy and paste from the Bible.
[...] the first place. So it’s akin to discovering water on Mars to find one pastor who (openly) refuses to stay on the sidelines in the culture [...]
Thanks, Buckwheat, for the good words. I do stand strong on these moral issues, but I get pilloried for it. I'm pretty much persona non grata at James Randi's site.
Dawkins wrote favorably of abortion in one of his books. How could he do that? Maybe tolerance of infanticide is a natural outgrowth of atheism and acceptance of Evolution, but it didn't work that way with me. It's up to each of us to examine our moral concepts and, if necessary, go against the grain. I really appreciate Christians for some of their moral stances, particularly their anti-abortion efforts.
Charles Manson thought the Beatles were speaking directly to him, using the lyrics of the song "Helter Skelter."
I get a little nervous reading some of the comments where the individual believes the Bible, or God, speaks directly to him or her about taking action. I worry that the alleged communication might galvanize that person into some sort of potentially disastrous action.
This is why Pastors can't get together and defeat the enemy of liberalism. When you are fighting for top dog on the True Church meter then its a matter of divide and conquer without lifting a finger. You know the old saying "to a hammer everything is a nail." Thus, to self-righteous religious person everyone is an enemy who isn't one of you.
I come from a religion whose theology demands it is the only True and Living Church on the face of the earth, and I believe that. However, that should NOT interfere with working along side others who are fighting the same fights. As an example, recently Mormons have been in the forefront of battling homosexual marriage and have gotten a public blackeye among the opposition. Where have the Catholic and Evangelicals been? Happy that it is those "evil Mormons" have gotten the brunt with hardly a defender. Ironically, if the Mormons are defeated in sticking up for their beliefs, who do you think will be next on the list? Doesn't matter to the enemy who is a "true" and who is a "false" religion; so long as morality and decency is crushed.
This is one of the worst articles I have ever read on this website.
I *am* a pastor who works with people who come to America from other countries to get their education. Notice how none of the 10 reasons Giles gives for why pastors do not fight the mighty culture wars are positive – as if there could not possibly be good reasons why I would not harp on abortion homosexuality capitalism and all that good stuff. A few of Giles' critiques may be valid – but most of them are ridiculous. We are in it for the money? Ha ha ha! Please stop before I have a hernia.
Oh and I think Obama is the worst president we have ever had. I *am* conservative on political and cultural issues (for the most part). I still resent this piece and find it offensive and outrageous.
Good Words. God has made it clear that mankind has a resposibility to shape the world he lives in. Remember the only time God did not involve man in carrying out his plans was at he moment of creation. Since then God has worked through men to accomplish his will for the world.
Peace through weakness and submission, diplomacy through appeasement, and respect for other countries anti-American feelings deserves to be berated. The only "nuance" the current presidents face is showing to the world is one which weakens and embarrases our nation.
Great list! I would add another reason to the list. It is what I call Doris Day theology, which is aptly described in her song, "Que Sera, Sera": Whatever will be will be. Too many pastors and Christians believe that whatever happens, no matter what it is, is God's will. They love to say that God is "in control". Therefore, He is responsible for whatever happens. It is all in His plan. So, believers don't have to do anything about responding to evil in the world. They should just sit back and let God deal with it , if they really have faith. At this point is where list item #4, Last Days Madness, comes into play.
The primary function of a pastor (and by extension, the Christian church) is the promote and further the gospel. Part of that is preaching the WHOLE word of God, not just the parts people like or find easy to digest. If you stick to Scripture, and let Scripture interpret itself, then the rest will fall in line. Jesus and the disciples didn't rail against Caesar, i.e. the government, but didn't openly condone or endorse it either. Their focus was on the transformative nature of the gospel. I can understand why good pastors avoid political commentary from the pulpit — that's not their call. However, to the extent that the word of God impacts morality, and therefore your worldview (including political worldview), one can preach the worldview of Scripture, and our own worldviews (including political views) should fall in line.
Fred Phelps, is that you?
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The defintion of the word is determined by how is it used within the text. There is nothing within the Creation account to justify the use of yom as meaning anything except a literal day.
After each act of creation we are told the following: And the evening and the morning were the first (second, third, forth, fifth, sixth) day. For days one through six we have the use of an ordinal to denote the day, how does one get a extended period of time in which evolution to take place from this?
In the same statement we have the word for evening ('ereb) and for morning (boqer). The defintions for these words do not allow for an extended gap of time. They describe what we still regard as nighttime (or dusk) and daytime (or dawn), nothing more. So if a day is composed of a morning and an evening how do you get a Creation Story that involves evolution and remains "literal"? You can't. Not without corrupting the meaning of the words.
Let's cut the author a little slack.
I love my neighbor. But, sometimes, behind closed doors, my wife and I talk about our neighbor. And, sometimes we are caustic and sarcastic and blunt. It doesn't mean that I don't love him.
It's unfair to indict Christians with a "aha, you're a hypocrite" every time they engage in colorful, creative, energetic dialogue.
Eagerly awaiting the New Hollywood.
Ah, the fresh smell of a liberal blithely strewing accusations of "hate" hither and yon (rational thinking being a bit too painful). Reminds me of the cow barn back home on the farm.
Nevertheless, you will be checking your mailbox for your welfare check, right?
11. They edit or write for "conservative" group blogs.
Other scientists have thoroughly debunked the notion that the fossil record and molecular biology support macro evolution. In fact, they're some of the best evidence that it didn't happen.
What is funny, as a Catholic, its our young priests who are going off reservation and going back to the right path. THey have brought back latin mass in many areas and make sure the congregations understand there can be no such thing as a cafeteria catholic. You can't pick and choose. Its the older priests who brought in
"guitar" mass and hippy junk that deflated the church. Us kids are picking it back up!
Seems that the "Question Authority" ethic is finally boomeranging back on the old farts. I love it!
There is more than one kind of love, Mike. One of them is tough love. It's not fuzzy or cute, but it's just as valuable as the other kinds.
Hmm… then there are many scholars and preachers (of all denominations and fields of expertise) corrupting the meaning of the words…
I was wondering that too. That statement seems contradictory.
SBC pastors have a unique amount of freedom thanks ot the wisdom of the SBC founders – that is, that pastors in the SBC are accountable to no one but their congregation (and the gov't, if their church is 501c3 tax-exempt, which most are). Not having the hierarchy built into more formal religions allows for more personal freedom and responsibility. The main reason why, no matter what anyone says, I'm thankful I'm SB.
One can engage in "non-violent attempts at policy persuasion", or one can engage in politics (which is inherently violent). One cannot do both. Christians were warned of the futility of attempting to serve two masters.
For several reasons I stopped going to church but of course haven't given up on God. I remember my last pastopr wanted to build a mega church, so he hired a professional church fundraiser to coach him on how to extract more money from the congregation. Something wrong in that approach, I thought.
That and it seemed every other Prespyterian minister was a Sandinista in the 1980s, it seemed.
My theory is that if Christ were to return to the world as he was, he would despise a lot of the churches. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.
For several reasons I stopped going to church but of course haven't given up on God. I remember my last pastor wanted to build a mega church, so he hired a professional church fundraiser to coach him on how to extract more money from the congregation. Something wrong in that approach, I thought.
That and it seemed every other Prespyterian minister was a Sandinista in the 1980s, it seemed.
My theory is that if Christ were to return to the world as he was, he would despise a lot of the churches. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.
For several reasons I stopped going to church but of course haven't given up on God. I remember my last pastor wanted to build a mega church, so he hired a professional church fundraiser to coach him on how to extract more money from the congregation. Something wrong in that approach, I thought.
That and it seemed every other Presbyterian minister was a Sandinista in the 1980s, it seemed.
My theory is that if Christ were to return to the world as he was, he would despise a lot of the churches. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.
I'm not sure how to take this post. I understand the sentiment, but I firmly believe in the separation of Church and state. When pastors get involved in politics, you get the likes Jackson, Sharpton and Wright. You also get liberation theology, which in my opinion is an abomination.
My sister's Pastor just last Sunday referred to 4 ex-hippie anti-war protesters as the "new prophets."
I'll take my religion free from the baggage of other's political opinions.
Mike, a careful reading of the Gospels will show that Jesus used a similar tone with the people who were supposed to be representing God in His earthly ministry.
You think Doug is hard on the pastors, try reading Jeremiah or Ezekiel.
I think Doug is being a watchman on the wall.
I agree… I rarely have had a pastor that was afraid to say what needed to be said… and only one time have I seen a church split over it… Consequently, what the Pastor was talking about largly applied to them (but that technically wasn't a Southern Baptist church it was Missionary Baptist… though the only difference is how it gave money to the missionaries… even though some MBA's will deny that to their deaths… *shakes head*).
[...] Hollywood has the 10 Reasons Why Pastors Avoid the Culture War here. Posted in Politics, Religion | No Comments » Leave a [...]
I think that's fantastic. I'm not Catholic, but I think it's wonderful that your priests are starting to fall a little more closely in line with the Vatican. You have a good man leading you. His heart's in the right place. I've been very impressed with some of the statements he's come out with over the past few years. He's not afraid to take a stand for what is right, and I applaud that.
Amen, Brother! I belong to a large Christian church and if the pastors got hung up on the culture wars it would be nothing but non-stop division causing backbiting that would ultimately destroy our fellowship. As my senior pastor would say, "Those are not salvation issues." Mr. Giles' opinion may seem encouraging to the already saved but to a mostly lost and hurting world it is the antithesis of the Great Commission.
The big problem I have with many of today's churches and pastors is that our society and culture of non-judgmentalism and moral relativism have cowed many out of fear of being thought "mean" and "hateful" by those around them.
If you want to live a life that will keep you right with God, you absolutely have to judge actions and intentions as good or evil, right or wrong.
It is true that God loves you no matter what you do, but it is not true that He will reward you no matter what actions you take in life. Too many pastors are caught up in the first part of the message, the part about love, without spending time on the second. God may love you endlessly like a parent loves their child even as they do wrong, but also like a good parent, God punishes you for behaving badly.
Except we're not The Shining City on the Hill but the Armpit Gutter of the World in his eyes. You don't earn respect by cringing like beaten cur.
How about arguing with the actual points that Doug is making, and leave his heart to God, who alone can judge it?
In reading over this article and the subsequent comments, I must say that I'm extremely grateful for religious leaders who never shy away from addressing moral issues and how they relate to church doctrine, particularly around election time. They very rarely endorse specific legislation, and never endorse candidates or parties, but they make sure we as members know the official church stance on the moral issues that have political ramifications, and we're encouraged to vote according to our consciences. We have members voting for every political party under the sun, but the official stance on the issues is clear and unwaivering.
In fact, at our most recent Conference, the talk that seems to be gathering the most controversy is the talk that was the most blunt and straight-forward.
Of course, we can't stop fighting for what's right. If the end does come, it will be those who keep fighting the good fight that will be blessed.
Doug, so your fellow Christians who preach Christ and only Christ are “Evil”? Really?
good, now get to work.
Thank you. My preacher, thank God, is neither weak nor placating, and is the best unifier our church has ever seen (so is not insulting either). Our little ornery Baptist church is growing! He, and the guy above who took such offense, perhaps don't need to read your list and perhaps aren't targets of it, but boy, BOY, do I know of a lot of churches & church leaders that sadly do (assuming a church can read a web posting, roll with me on this one).
Again, thank you, I might have to print this one.
i too worry about this… taking direct action. only i worry about it with atheist/communist/liberals and islamic regimes.
i think the statistics are on my side.
just be thankful you werent a muslim in a mosque. there are other churches, other groups, and your own strong beliefs. stick with it, work with others, its tough. always will be.
Have you tried a less moral view on abortion? From the moment sperm meets egg, the developing baby is genetically distinct from either parent and genetically human. Therefore, likening it to a tumor or a part of the mother's body is a false argument; it is demonstrably neither by DNA alone. Science admits that it does not definitively know for sure when the developing baby becomes aware and "alive." What is known is that as medical science improves, babies born earlier and earlier into gestation can survive and thrive; currently babies born at 21 weeks have a hope of surviving such an early birth. If a 21 week old baby is alive and demonstrably human, then other babies not born at that age should be viewed the same; after all, their positions could easily be reversed. So if a 21 week old pregnancy is human, then how much earlier does it, could it go?
From the moment sperm meets egg, the developing baby is genetically distinct from either parent and genetically human. Therefore, likening it to a tumor or a part of the mother's body is a false argument; it is demonstrably neither by DNA alone. Science admits that it does not definitively know for sure when the developing baby becomes aware and "alive." What is known is that as medical science improves, babies born earlier and earlier into gestation can survive and thrive; currently babies born at 21 weeks have a hope of surviving such an early birth. If a 21 week old baby is alive and demonstrably human, then other babies not born at that age should be viewed the same; after all, their positions could easily be reversed. So if a 21 week old pregnancy is human, then how much earlier does it, could it go?
at my catholic church this last sunday, we were told to accept gays. to love them. and that we have a wide view of prop 8 and other issues. that was it!
i was like… well do gays accept us? do they accept the teachings of the Bible? of Christ? of this church? and how wide are the views? of the catholic church? are they really that wide?
i can accept & love… but are you telling me they still get a 'free pass' card? an exception to the rule?
gays say they wished they could marry and have children… THEY CAN!!! get married to a woman, have children, be true to them, love them, NO ONE IS STOPPING YOU! but your own selfish desires of 'love', a love. to satisfy yourself, your sexual desires, your addictions, your hedonism.
You're right about evolution in your last remark. The problem is that this isn't how it is taught. I got taught that it is the theory that explains all life including how it got started. Id be less hostile to the people who back evolution if they could be honest about it. It's a great way to explain some of the mechanisms governing complex life, but it doesn't explain either how life began or some of things we now know about life. I'm inclined to think that evolution is part of the answer, but tells us as much about the whole plot as reading a single chapter of a book would.
Mr. Giles, be very careful when venturing into this particular realm of thought. While I understand your points, I think it's impossible for a pastor/priest/vicar to carry both the cross and the flag simultaneously. "No one can serve two masters".
Your article seems to be very "in the moment" as opposed to carrying any weight of knowledge from history. Christianity is Eastern in its origins, born and grown under very oppressive political regimes…ruthless dictators, totalitarians, emperors, etc.
The church is not a stranger to troubled cultural times. If I were you, I'd worry less about the church fixing society (which is impossible), and more about the talking heads forcing pastoral leaders into roles to which they are not primarily called.
I could say more, but I'm hoping these comments will suffice.
This article is "igorant" # 2. How can you write such a thing and not interview the subject. There isn't any research. At least provide anecdotes.
My List of Reasons Why Pastors SEEM To Avoid The Culture War.
1. Priority. They have to attend the flock. This take lots and lots of time. During the week, they need to prepare for the Sunday and they have to visit the Seniors and Save Lots of Souls.
2. Following Commandments. Do not worry comes to mind.
3. Welcoming All. That means all from different backgrounds. Not all agree. Such as it is, politics can lead to division, which leads to the next point…
4. Church Bureaucracy. It is bad enough to deal in church politics. The church has a mission. Most do not have a political mandate. Why should they bother with non-relevant issues? Pastors will have to do this on their own time, if they must.
5. Money. Who going to pay for this extra curricular activity when most Pastors are not paid well. You line about "mega-church" is completely ridiculous. Many are not in such circumstances.
6. Do not have Platform. Unless it is a topic requested by congregation, it is a waste of time. Ears will be closed.
That's all I have to say.
You're right. They are.
That's odd.
Daniel was and adviser to kings and a loyal believer of the God of Israel.
Joseph (from Genesis) went from slave to Prime Minister to Egypt. Yet, he never lost his faith in and obedience to God.
So, Christians in America can and should get involved in politics while asking God for discernment. (Yes, that includes running for office if that is the Lord's will.) Chuck Colson of Prison Fellowship said it best:
“Christians need to influence politics for justice and righteousness.” But we must do so “with eyes open, aware of the snares . . . Today Christians may find themselves suspect—I have experienced this myself—to the very people on whose side they are fighting. But that is the price they must pay to preserve their independence and not be beholden to any political ideological alignment.” That’s what I wrote in 1987; that’s what I mean today.
Fasting from politics is the exact opposite of what I taught David Kuo, however. Only by continuing to fight for our beliefs, regardless of the temptations, compromises, or being called “nuts,” can we achieve the kind of moral reform and protection of human rights that Christians throughout the centuries and in every culture work for.
http://www.colsoncenter.org/the-center/columns/co...
Mike-you missed the whole point of Doug's column. Read it again. I found plenty of love. He is just expresses it differently. He's also saving a lot of souls by conveying to people what they need to hear not what they want to hear.
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