Comments on: Bob is Angry on Election Day

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:26:37 +0000

Could it be said that Judas was a “culture warrior”? I believe he loved Jesus and believed that he was the King of the Jews. However, he didn’t understand the message of the Gospels, and by betraying Jesus he was trying to force Jesus to usher in the kingdom by overthrowing Rome right then and there.

By: HAB

HAB — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:40:03 +0000

I am so glad that someone is talking about this.

1 Corinthians 5 addresses the thinking behind the “culture wars” by the back door. It is the section about expelling the immoral brother. He ends that thought by saying “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are we not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside.” (1 Cor. 5:12,13a). It’s pretty difficult, nay impossible to engage in culture wars without passing judgment and when we do, we have in essence, decided to step into God’s shoes and help Him with His job.

More importantly what have we accomplished if we succeed? We’ve imposed Biblical morality on people who don’t believe the Bible. We run the risk of convincing people that their morality is the problem as opposed to the fact that they don’t have Jesus. We make moral people who are going to hell.

I think we’re seeing a backlash now. We’re seeing the “persecution” of Christians which is often justified anger at our meddling. It’s one thing to be hated for preaching the gospel and doing the things God specifically asks us to do but it’s another to bring down wrath upon ourselves by doing things God told us are none of our business.

Paul talks about Christians minding their business in 1 Thessalonians 4:11 where it says to “Make it our ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business,…” the Lord in His wisdom makes it clear throughout scripture that we have enough to do by first fixing ourselves and then fixing the church. God has the rest under control and He doesn’t need our help.

By: mark

mark — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 03:13:33 +0000

http://www.obamamustsee.com/

By: Ky boy but not now

Ky boy but not now — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 13:24:47 +0000

abmo

“I think Bob and his friends cut their own throats when they decided to go into politics. They supported Bush and he sowed more mistrust than any other president. From now on, any person that Bob and his friends support and endorse, will be viewed with mistrust.”

This goes back way before Bush. Bob’s were being bred and raised back in the 80s and 90s and I’m sure earlier but my political sense doesn’t go back that far. FoTF, MM, and others (as mentioned in another IM entry) hung their hat on supporting the Republicans back in 94 and got very upset when that party took control of Congress and didn’t basically turn the US into a theocracy. Very upset.

And they still are.

And when I try and say maybe this isn’t the true Christian way, the “Bobs” around me bring out their baseball bats.

By: Carolyn

Carolyn — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 01:28:35 +0000

What I absolutely ‘luv’ about your posts, Michael, and all the comments..is the fact that it is seldom possible to completely express oneself in a single sentence or even, maybe, in a single paragraph. But..it is in the debate where communication truly happens. Love it!

By: Scott M

Scott M — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:33:34 +0000

I didn’t really have anything to say about “Bob”. I’ve encountered a number of instances of him, usually but not always male. But I don’t really understand him.

But then I read the following. I’m still digesting it, but I think there’s a lot in it which just feels right. Maybe I’ll understand “Bob” a little better in the future.

http://www.palamas.info/2008/11/confession-evangelism-of-faithful_07.html

By: tijefe

tijefe — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 22:22:06 +0000

While it’s true that anger itself and arguing itself aren’t necessarily sin, I know that my own anger is unquestionably fraught with sinful self-aggrandizement or self-justifications, therefore making my anger sinful and my arguing sinful. I cannot make a single step forward without God’s constant mercy.

By: DaveD

DaveD — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:26:21 +0000

“Isn’t anger itself indicative of sin?”

“Be ye angry, and sin not.”

“As much as lies within you, live in peace with all men.”

Anger is not sin. Arguing isn’t even sin. Even people who love each other deeply have disagreements and fights. It’s how you handle the anger that matters.

By: Memphis Aggie

Memphis Aggie — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:37:10 +0000

Isn’t anger itself indicative of sin? Who am I to be angry? I’m forgiven and blessed beyond measure with priceless gifts I certainly do not deserve. It’s God who has the right to be angry at me for being slow to follow him, weak in faith and lax in works. It’s not my place to say so and so should do such and such (although I do do this, more evidence of my own weakness). Certainly it is an act of mercy to correct someone , if it’s done charitably, but angry condemnation is driven by pride and self righteousness.
I’m not perfectly free of “Bob” moments. I had an episode of hyperbolic political rhetoric this campaign, which I regret. Fortunately God is forgiving (and Confession is awesome) and my failure is necessary reminder to this slow learner of both God’s great generosity and my ingratitude.

“Bob” is focused outward: he blames his problems on others. Christ called us to look within. My problems are my own fault and more to the point I need Christ’s help to fix them.

By: Ricky H

Ricky H — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 09:21:19 +0000

I’ve known a number of people named Bob or Robert who seem to be that way. So many, in fact, that I dubbed it ‘The Bob Syndrome’ (believe it or not). It’s weird.

Some profess to be Christians, and others are…other. Among the traits they all seem to share: They tend to see issues as very black and white; scripture (especially a lot of the NT) has little, if any, influence in their world-view/conduct; and they tend to think the world would be a lot better place, if people were a little (or a lot) more like them.