From John Marks Reasons to Believe: One Man's Journey among the Evangelicals and the Faith He Left Behind:
Demographics suggest that, in the future, more Americans will be Catholics and Muslims and Hindus. There will be plenty of Protestants, but they will be Protestants in a land shared by a majority that isn’t. Attempts to turn back the clock in such an environment don’t smack of faith-based politics. They smack of politics masquerading as faith.
What is your response to this?
From Lee Camp's Mere Discipleship:
Consequently, the God whom we are supposedly serving by whatever means necessary turns out to be a god who serves the power-wielding empire rather than the God revealed in the Suffering Servant Jesus...The powers find it useful to fashion a god in their own image, a god that supports their own agenda, that rallies around their own imperialistic purposes...Christians become convinced that they are pursuing the purposes of God by pursuing the purposes of the empire.
Response?
The dance between Christianity and Politics has been a dicey subject for centuries. People will choose sides between "pacifism" and "war in which the end justifies the means". Some will vote Democratic because of their biblical convictions while others vote Republic because of their theological convictions. Some will fight for a marriage between politics and Christianity while others will fight for a separation between the two.
While convictions are good, we must be careful to not adopt a mindset that says, "My convictions are right. Your convictions are wrong. And I'm not even going to give you a voice because I'm right."
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The Biggest Loser is one of the best shows on television. It is truly a redemptive, inspiring show. I started watching it because Kayci loves it. I love my wife--especially watching her cry through the entire show. :)
American Idol:
Frontrunners:
-David Archuleta (however, mark my word--he will not win)
-David Cook (this guy is going to sell millions of records)
My Favorites:
-David Cook
-Syesha Mercado (she was awesome last night)
Going home tonight:
-Kristy Lee Cook
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8 comments:
Kristi Lee probably needs to go, but I bet she pulls enough country fan votes to stay another week. By guess is Carrie goes. I won't even be surprised if Michael goes. He was one of my early favorites -- but he just hasn't really bedazzled lately.
I don't know if it was intended or not -- your reference to Democrats having "biblical convictions" and Republicans having "theological positions." I think both parties emphasize selected things that they promote that become their religious twists. But I agree that we easily get faith mixed up with the empire. Government, I have concluded, is not the answer to living out the "Jesus life." Government is not the answer to feeding the poor -- nor is it the answer to legislating morals. We (people of faith) are a COUNTER-culture. We need to accept that and live it.
Kudos to Rick's reply concerning government. But the comments about Kristi ..... nay! Two weeks straight she has been spot on.
I thought Carrie was horrible last night. In the words of the wise one (Simon), "She may be in trouble this week."
Correction .... Carly not Carrie.
Yes, I meant Carly as well. I admit, Kristi Lee was better this week.
Nothing was behind the use of "biblical" and "theological."
Good thoughts.
Oh, as for Kristi Lee, she is going home because she has lost confidence.
It seemed to me that Brooke lost her confidence. She was a basket case last night.
My bottom 3:
Brooke
Carly
Michael
Carly goes home.
I agree with Rick's comments about govenment. You only have to look at countries in Europe that have an "official" faith but have people who rarely participate in any church.
It seems to me that more people are turning to non-denominational unaffliated churches ( such as Elim Church in Houston) than the traditional groups including Catholics or what is labelled Protestant.
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