Continued thoughts on Christ and Politics...
First, I really, really wanted to post last night, but I was just shot. I opted to go directly to bed,without passing go, without collecting $200.
So I decided I absolutely had to continue the conversation tonight before sacking out. And what is wrong with this picture: It is my 27th wedding anniversary and both kids are at sleepovers; a child free house ripe for romantic interludes with my husband, except he isn't here...he left for a weekend meeting in Chicago this afternoon.
A friend read my post and wanted to add the following comments, but apparently didn't have the right blogger account information (that happens to me more times than I care to admit and is the cause of much frustration...) so I decided to include them here. I will note that he is still on the bubble in terms of who will get his vote in this election:
There is no place, as representatives of Christ, for mis-information and maliciousness in our political discussions.
Being pro-life goes far beyond the abortion issues, vital as it is, to include matters of war, poverty, and disease throughout the world.
Your implication that followers of Christ who entrench themselves in a political party undermine their spiritual authority and begin to lose the ability to represent another Kingdom, a heavenly Kingdom and its values! The prophetic nature of our identity as Christians calls us to remain wary of alliances with human systems that might compromise God's agenda.
I appreciated his feedback and comments and wanted to add them to the conversation.
Then, I had a conversation with another friend and we got talking about some of these issues. I will say that I really don't like talking politics with people, because so often I feel that if I share with someone who does not share my viewpoint I end up feeling attacked. It is so much easier for me to say I am passionately in love with Jesus than to share my political views with those I don't know. If that makes me a woosie, oh well...I find more people interested in vehemently trying to change my mind than engaging in thoughtful and respectful dialog.
So here is what Abby had to say (she had actually written this out and tore the pages out of her binder to give to me:
"What is wrong with politics today?! Everyone taking a position that they believe best in order to command this country and run it accordingly to a set value system that is embodied by a certain package of a political party (Democrat, Republican or Independent). They all seem so set in what their set views and stances that are held by their party, but here is my question that I would like to pose.... It is a question that has been made in to a clever phrase or fad saying but I would like to pose this question to ALL those self professed Christians in all walks of life and on all party lines....What would Jesus do? How in all aspects of life does God want you to ace, behave...In my personal journey of faith in Christ I have come to realize that possibly the spiritual and ethical moral war that is truly being waged is one of personal battles. How do we as professed Christians treat other...do we walk humbly, do we speak in soft words to turn away wrath, do we love unconditionally, do we not judge others but instead do we treat others (even those who offend us) in a civil manner. Are our priorities truly in keeping with what Christ said, to clothe the poor, feed the hungry, shelter the widow, father the fatherless, care for the foreigners that are in need? Do we as Christians truly treat others in the way we would want to be treated? The Lord said there will be many w ho will come in my name, but I will not know them...He said my sheep will know my voice and will follow me. Are we truly following Christ...or are we so busy in condemning that we are not truly hearing others and more importantly the Lord's words?...Are we really doing His will?"
I think those are all valid questions and thoughts. And obviously we come to different conclusions as there are many who feel there is only one way to see how their vote is a representation of the Christian message. And there will be differences. I accept that. What I have a hard time accepting is when those differences are not dialoged in respect.
Another friend of mine (a Christian) told me he wears a button that says "Jesus is a Liberal" and it makes some of his friends squirm. Now I don't want to make anyone squirm, but I do want to be true to my convictions and beliefs and add dimensions to consider to those who are undecided. My feeling about those who are decided is that it is not my job to change their mind, but I also would in turn like the same respect and not have them try to convert me. It doesn't work very well in faith circles either. I have found that one of the most obnoxious ways to try to win someone over to faith is to tell them how stupid they are for believing what they do and then list all the reasons why. Is that love? Hmmm...Prayer is my job, and being true to following Jesus to the best of my understanding and ability.
That concludes my political rant for today :)
So I decided I absolutely had to continue the conversation tonight before sacking out. And what is wrong with this picture: It is my 27th wedding anniversary and both kids are at sleepovers; a child free house ripe for romantic interludes with my husband, except he isn't here...he left for a weekend meeting in Chicago this afternoon.
A friend read my post and wanted to add the following comments, but apparently didn't have the right blogger account information (that happens to me more times than I care to admit and is the cause of much frustration...) so I decided to include them here. I will note that he is still on the bubble in terms of who will get his vote in this election:
There is no place, as representatives of Christ, for mis-information and maliciousness in our political discussions.
Being pro-life goes far beyond the abortion issues, vital as it is, to include matters of war, poverty, and disease throughout the world.
Your implication that followers of Christ who entrench themselves in a political party undermine their spiritual authority and begin to lose the ability to represent another Kingdom, a heavenly Kingdom and its values! The prophetic nature of our identity as Christians calls us to remain wary of alliances with human systems that might compromise God's agenda.
I appreciated his feedback and comments and wanted to add them to the conversation.
Then, I had a conversation with another friend and we got talking about some of these issues. I will say that I really don't like talking politics with people, because so often I feel that if I share with someone who does not share my viewpoint I end up feeling attacked. It is so much easier for me to say I am passionately in love with Jesus than to share my political views with those I don't know. If that makes me a woosie, oh well...I find more people interested in vehemently trying to change my mind than engaging in thoughtful and respectful dialog.
So here is what Abby had to say (she had actually written this out and tore the pages out of her binder to give to me:
"What is wrong with politics today?! Everyone taking a position that they believe best in order to command this country and run it accordingly to a set value system that is embodied by a certain package of a political party (Democrat, Republican or Independent). They all seem so set in what their set views and stances that are held by their party, but here is my question that I would like to pose.... It is a question that has been made in to a clever phrase or fad saying but I would like to pose this question to ALL those self professed Christians in all walks of life and on all party lines....What would Jesus do? How in all aspects of life does God want you to ace, behave...In my personal journey of faith in Christ I have come to realize that possibly the spiritual and ethical moral war that is truly being waged is one of personal battles. How do we as professed Christians treat other...do we walk humbly, do we speak in soft words to turn away wrath, do we love unconditionally, do we not judge others but instead do we treat others (even those who offend us) in a civil manner. Are our priorities truly in keeping with what Christ said, to clothe the poor, feed the hungry, shelter the widow, father the fatherless, care for the foreigners that are in need? Do we as Christians truly treat others in the way we would want to be treated? The Lord said there will be many w ho will come in my name, but I will not know them...He said my sheep will know my voice and will follow me. Are we truly following Christ...or are we so busy in condemning that we are not truly hearing others and more importantly the Lord's words?...Are we really doing His will?"
I think those are all valid questions and thoughts. And obviously we come to different conclusions as there are many who feel there is only one way to see how their vote is a representation of the Christian message. And there will be differences. I accept that. What I have a hard time accepting is when those differences are not dialoged in respect.
Another friend of mine (a Christian) told me he wears a button that says "Jesus is a Liberal" and it makes some of his friends squirm. Now I don't want to make anyone squirm, but I do want to be true to my convictions and beliefs and add dimensions to consider to those who are undecided. My feeling about those who are decided is that it is not my job to change their mind, but I also would in turn like the same respect and not have them try to convert me. It doesn't work very well in faith circles either. I have found that one of the most obnoxious ways to try to win someone over to faith is to tell them how stupid they are for believing what they do and then list all the reasons why. Is that love? Hmmm...Prayer is my job, and being true to following Jesus to the best of my understanding and ability.
That concludes my political rant for today :)
Labels: Christian values, L'Abri, Obama Frank Schaeffer
posted by www.kathypride.com at
10:52 PM
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