Comments on: What Do Evangelicals Really Want?

By: Jing

Jing — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 03:33:15 +0000

I would have to say after reading these blogs for some time now, I am left a little confused by the intent of these opinions. Do you really think I’m legalistic for opposing abortion and voting against the candidate that supports it…let’s say it “Obama” .. Do you really think I’m legalistic for voting against the endorsements of Rosie Odonell and Ellen DeGeneres because of the “special support of the gay commnunity”? Of course the agenda of helping the poor and needy is important. That is our commission as Christians. Does the democrat platform support the direction you want the country to go? If we can’t vote for those that uphold our Christian values, the values that our forefathers founded the country, then what in the world are we doing? What I am reading here is not addressing the issue. It’s plain as day. Those of us “Evangelicals” representing the republican party aren’t writing posts here trying to justify our vote for Obama, because we voted our conscience, and we didn’t put our politics ahead of our salvation. Sorry, if I rattled some cages, but where I come from we tell it like it is. By the way, all the scripture in these posts are relevant and appropriate. “Am I the enemy because I tell you the truth.”

By: TommyO

TommyO — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:03:28 +0000

I was reading all this for the first time and realize what I’ve been missing. It’s great! Thank you.
Specifically, I noted the Nov 8 comment by “drkennyg” under the Evangelical subject question. As I read it, it sounded like I wrote it – not the style, but the content – same issues, same philosophy, same problems. As I finished that particular site, I began to wonder if you had a site that discussed what I call, “the Paul/Grace problem.” Sure enough, there it was; a long discourse about Paul and where he really stands with respect to all of our Christian techings and beliefs.
My wife and I must definitely go back and read that, together. We have just recently left a church (a long story), and have been searching for another. During our quest, a friend suggested a local church called “Grace Alive.” We didn’t know going in, but we were soon very concerned about the teaching. Apparently Paul is for the Gentiles, and Jesus is for the Jews. Is was almost that simple and that abrupt. We hurried away somewhat concerned, but now we are seeing more churches in the area who are “Grace” based, not “Kingdom” based. It’s so simple: Jesus stands for the Kingdom; Paul stands for Grace. This is truly scary if it’s true, and that’s what people have apparently turned to.
We’re going to keep reading, but we have our doubts.

By: Another Child

Another Child — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:34:35 +0000

mbsmith91’s says “my Bible tells me to be anti-abortion and recognize homosexual activity as wrong. How can I support a candidate or political party that espouses either? Politics and religion are intertwined, church-state separation is impossible. If we love Him, we are to keep His commandments. Hate the sin but love the sinner.”

I agree that the Bible speaks agains abortion and homosexuality. My question is how do you feel about candidates that do not reach out to the poor, ignore the unfairly treated and the overlooked in society, the candidates that fight to keep legislation for guns that kill, death penality and other social issues or do you think those are not equally as important as abortion and homosexuality? Who determines that one candidate or party is more Christian than the other when we clearly do not have the ‘what if’ scenarion that Mart has presented above?

By: Another Child

Another Child — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:16:17 +0000

I totally agree with geclayton above on the disappointment of Church leaders and politics.

Thank you Mart for putting these questions out there so that we can actually think and be convicted if applicable about the actions that we take.

The original sin of Adam and Eve prevents the ‘what ifs’ right now. If that was the case then we would not have needed Jesus to die for our sins because we would be perfect. The what if scenario has been promised to us in Revalations 21 and 22 after Christ comes back. In the mean time we are to fulfill the Great Commission to go out and spread the word because Jesus came for the lost. The lost does not just include United States but the world – atheists, Muslims, Church goers and so forth.

By: CarrieP

CarrieP — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 05:32:21 +0000

Re: Poohpity

Have known the loss of a mother. Will be praying for you and your mother.

By: desert rose

desert rose — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 22:36:56 +0000

No, because we are sinners it could never be possible. We are saved by grace. It would be nice however, if we all set our goals to be more Christ-like so we would be identified as Christians by others. The great commandment is to love one another. I understood what you were getting at Mart, you sure sparked a lot of response. I hope every one reading the blog will support Poohpity’s Mom in prayer.

By: zulu143

zulu143 — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 19:21:51 +0000

First I want to add my voice to those that are praying for poohpity and your mother.

Mr De Haan, this topic touches on something that I have had a special sensitivity for for a long time. I feel that the tone and focus of the Evangelical political movement has done much more harm than good with respect to our primary mission, as Christians, of drawing all men to Christ. The attempt to force people (thru the government) to comply with God’s Laws externally without having the internal work of conversion that is the foundation of our faith is doomed and also contrary to the founding fathers wishes.

Let me explain (and perhaps answer mbsmith91). A lot of us like to think of this country as a Christian nation and, in fact, the vast majority of us do identify with the Christian faith, however, the founding fathers of this country, in their great wisdom, had the intent to give people the right to express their faith, or not, without any coercion from the government to prevent the sort of religious tyranny that existed in England at the time.

As an example, imagine a hypothetical scenario where most of the people in this country were Muslims and they passed laws reflecting Islamic law (e.g. we would all have to face Mecca five times a day and pray). We, as Christians, would be outraged but because we would be in the minority we could do nothing about it. Well, the founding fathers set up a system of separation of church and state so that no religious group would be able to impose it’s will in this way.

I think our mission as Christians is to reach out to the lost individually and face to face, not thru governmental laws.

By: poohpity

poohpity — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 15:57:33 +0000

Thank you guys for the support it means so very much to me. My son held me last night. So the Lord provided some arms, God is so wonderful and so are you guys. Again thank you!!!!

By: mbsmith91

mbsmith91 — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 15:01:49 +0000

Dang Says – He commisioned us to preach the GOSPEL (not anti-abortion, anti-gay)………… my Bible tells me to be anti-abortion and recognize homosexual activity as wrong. How can I support a candidate or political party that espouses either? Politics and religion are intertwined, church-state separation is impossible. If we love Him, we are to keep His commandments. Hate the sin but love the sinner.

By: daisymarygoldr

daisymarygoldr — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 14:30:13 +0000

Although the exclusive nature of this topic does not permit me to participate… just wanted to stop by and let poohpity know that your mother is being prayed for… Psalm 119:28…