Comments on: Looking For The Jesus Connection: How did Jesus Fight the “Culture War?”

By: Mac

Mac — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

A brave, clear and beautiful post. I happen to be a Democrat, but your logic and deeper Gospel view is a lesson for all of us. Kingdom is the key focus and “Jesus plus anything is a subtraction”. As always, Thanks Michael.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

Good stuff, as usual. One caveat: Concerning the Republican delay on Clinton nominees, was that a delay or a full-on filibuster? Did the nominees make it out of committee? Who were the nominees and to what bench were they being appointed? There are some fair sources – National Review, the Atlantic – that have never mentioned this, and I’ve got to think if it were on par with what the Dems are doing now, they’d say so.

By: Keith

Keith — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

Nicely said.

By: ScottSp

ScottSp — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

Great post. For the church to be so closely aligned with one party and label is detrimental to the gospel and it belittles those who love Christ and have a different perspective on justice. I want to recommend “God’s Politics” by Jim Wallis which gives a totally different perspective to the issue.

By: Brian Pendell

Brian Pendell — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

I’m afraid I must disagree with you slightly.

You said …

“Therefore, Jesus is for Republican judges being approved, and Jesus is against the Democratic filibuster against people of faith.”

First of all, I’m not sure if you’re being sarcastic or serious, but I will assume the second for the sake of argument.

If so, I think only the second clause is correct.

IMO, Jesus is against people being disqualified for public office on the basis of being his followers. Not only is it a slap in his face, it’s also a violation of Article VI of the Constitution, which states that “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”

However, just because he’s AGAINST the blocking of Christian judges, doesn’t mean he’s FOR Republican nominees.

He may be for individual nominees, but not because they’re Republicans. I don’t think he cares about that label at all. I think he cares more about their hearts and whether they will faithfully exercise their duties.

Similarly, I don’t think he dislikes the Democrats for opposing Rep judges … I think he dislikes Democrats opposing Rep judges *because of their faith*. Democrats opposing Rep judges because, e.g., they are corporate stooges, probably doesn’t bother him at all.

Respectfully,

Brian P.

By: Doug

Doug — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

Two points.

1) Brian said, “IMO, Jesus is against people being disqualified for public office on the basis of being his followers. Not only is it a slap in his face, it’s also a violation of Article VI of the Constitution, which states that “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”"

From the strict viewpoint of justice, yes, Jesus *might* say that people should not be disqualified from being public servants. But He *did* say to expect discrimination and persecution for being His followers, and to *rejoice* in the fact.

When American Christians are “discriminated against”, we run for the lawyers and the press. When Rwandan Christians were slaughtered, they prayed and rejoiced. Who’s being more faithful to what Jesus really said?

2) Brian said, “He may be for individual nominees, but not because they’re Republicans. I don’t think he cares about that label at all. I think he cares more about their hearts and whether they will faithfully exercise their duties.Similarly, I don’t think he dislikes the Democrats for opposing Rep judges … I think he dislikes Democrats opposing Rep judges *because of their faith*.”

There *are* Chrisians who are Democrats, who strongly believe that the Christian faith demands certain aspects of social justice. Not just “mainline liberals” – a friend of mine who’s a Reformed Baptist Calvinist is one of them! I strongly disagree with his politics, but I cannot see Jesus looking at him and not seeing someone whose heart is His and wants to faithfully discharge His duty. And I’m pretty sure he wasn’t too impressed with “Justice Weekend”…

By: graham

graham — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

Michael,

You might be interested in this post from Ekklesia (an anabaptist-ish political think-tank in the UK):

Subverting the manifestos

By: graham

graham — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

Sorry, link didn’t work!

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/article_agendaforchange.shtml

By: stewart

stewart — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

Michael, have you read “Against Christianity” by Peter Leithart? Many of the ideas you’ve expressed are very in-line with what he has to say. I think Christians often forget that we are the City of God; we are not even on the same playing field as the world’s market of competing ideologies.

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

Michael, it is a fact that William Pryor, a devout Catholic who happens to agree with his church’s teaching on abortion and homosexuality, was filibustered because of his “deeply held beliefs” to quote Chuck Shumer. I watched the confirmation hearings– he was also treated with contempt by Russ Feingold for canceling a family vacation to Disneyworld because it coincided with gay pride week.

Chrisitans are called on to be salt and light to the world. When religous tests, unconstitutional as they are, are applied to keep believers of any faith from public office, this CBF Baptist expects his CHURCH, as a church, to stand up and protest.