One concern some have about this article is whether it just encourages us to overlook matters of significance and treat all issues the same, when some views should be disqualifying for a person to truly be considered a "Christian."
I don't believe I treated all issues the same, in fact I divided the issues into "major and minor" from the start. But in more specific response I should point out that I outlined at the end of this article the exact process scripture commanded us to use to literally expel someone from the believing community in those cases. (I would dare say I've not yet read an article that goes to that far extreme of late. This would include cases where the activity is accused as not only sinful but the lack of repentance rises it to the level of "disfellowshipping" them.)
Some say we should treat as unbelievers some groups for their political views. Perhaps this portion of the piece is a reminder of how the Bible commands us to engage that process in Matthew 18.
The last paragraph is the crux for me. We love people. Period. If we treat them as unbelievers those who Christ died for we will love them. (Let me be clear, I don’t think people are unbelievers for voting different than I do!) Personally I don’t feel the need to be silent as I once was. But I have never received such visceral rebuke using the Bible to reprimand after posting some facts I thought relevant. Not endorsing a candidate but a platform I most align with. I’m a history buff and I love it so I spent hours one year researching some ties and they pans out to my shock. It didn’t change my views it just made me more aware. That is what I was honestly trying to share. But for whatever reason it started a firestorm among believers on the post. -Lurlene
I personally find it hard to Matthew 18 because most of the folks who offend or think different - in my experience - don’t care about connecting. It’s almost as tho folks are walking shrapnel generation bots and simply move on.
So most of the time - again - in my experience it’s more pray I don’t get resentful at them and dust off my sandals and move on.
Also, unless I ran myself, I haven’t seen a politician I agree with 100% of the time! lol
I just posted on FB today (just before I subscribed to this!) that in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says that loving our enemies (or those who disagree with us), is PROOF that we are children of God.
How we treat our “enemies” goes a long way to demonstrating that a person’s claim to be a Christian is actually true.
Your writings always provide so much food for thought. This one perhaps even more so.
Having been consuming so much of the political content of this season I feel well empowered to discuss these topics but have stayed away from doing so with most others. In my extended family
many seem to be part of the other side of the aisle and in some cases incapable of having an open mind. This is especially true for one of the elders of my family who has a strong faith. She taught religion to me and many others however she is so emotional about her political leanings it just seems best to keep the peace and let her be alone in her ignorance. I love her and pray for her but when it comes to politics she seems to be quite the propagandist. Thank you again.
What would you like to discuss about this piece? Is there anything new learned? Are there any of the passages that are applied is a "sus" way? Got a different or amplifying take on this subject?
One concern some have about this article is whether it just encourages us to overlook matters of significance and treat all issues the same, when some views should be disqualifying for a person to truly be considered a "Christian."
I don't believe I treated all issues the same, in fact I divided the issues into "major and minor" from the start. But in more specific response I should point out that I outlined at the end of this article the exact process scripture commanded us to use to literally expel someone from the believing community in those cases. (I would dare say I've not yet read an article that goes to that far extreme of late. This would include cases where the activity is accused as not only sinful but the lack of repentance rises it to the level of "disfellowshipping" them.)
Some say we should treat as unbelievers some groups for their political views. Perhaps this portion of the piece is a reminder of how the Bible commands us to engage that process in Matthew 18.
Your move.
The last paragraph is the crux for me. We love people. Period. If we treat them as unbelievers those who Christ died for we will love them. (Let me be clear, I don’t think people are unbelievers for voting different than I do!) Personally I don’t feel the need to be silent as I once was. But I have never received such visceral rebuke using the Bible to reprimand after posting some facts I thought relevant. Not endorsing a candidate but a platform I most align with. I’m a history buff and I love it so I spent hours one year researching some ties and they pans out to my shock. It didn’t change my views it just made me more aware. That is what I was honestly trying to share. But for whatever reason it started a firestorm among believers on the post. -Lurlene
yeah I have found political discussions to always be more productive in person... and almost never in social media.
Thank you, and VERY WELL said.
Thanks much, Tammie. What is the hardest part of this for you? For me it is the “honoring other Christians” who disagree with me
Thank you, brother.
appreciate you reading
I knew I was going to love it, and I did. It's very well done and hopeful.
It can be a struggle to find hope in this zone so I’m glad to hear this
Thanks for doing this.
I personally find it hard to Matthew 18 because most of the folks who offend or think different - in my experience - don’t care about connecting. It’s almost as tho folks are walking shrapnel generation bots and simply move on.
So most of the time - again - in my experience it’s more pray I don’t get resentful at them and dust off my sandals and move on.
Also, unless I ran myself, I haven’t seen a politician I agree with 100% of the time! lol
Thanks for doing this,
Yeah that sure is the challenge. I spend more time in middle age guarding against resentfulness than I ever would have guessrd
I just posted on FB today (just before I subscribed to this!) that in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says that loving our enemies (or those who disagree with us), is PROOF that we are children of God.
How we treat our “enemies” goes a long way to demonstrating that a person’s claim to be a Christian is actually true.
well put. agreed... other evidence might also be proof, but that's a pretty great sign
Your writings always provide so much food for thought. This one perhaps even more so.
Having been consuming so much of the political content of this season I feel well empowered to discuss these topics but have stayed away from doing so with most others. In my extended family
many seem to be part of the other side of the aisle and in some cases incapable of having an open mind. This is especially true for one of the elders of my family who has a strong faith. She taught religion to me and many others however she is so emotional about her political leanings it just seems best to keep the peace and let her be alone in her ignorance. I love her and pray for her but when it comes to politics she seems to be quite the propagandist. Thank you again.
Thanks JD. It can be difficult to keep an open mind around others without open minds, true.
as Orwell said, "if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought."
As Wayne Dyer said in his secrets to success and inner peace, "Have a mind that is open to everything and attached to nothing."
It's amazing how all believers are challenged & encouraged by the thoughtful Spirit led use of Holy Writ.
yeah if you stay pretty close to scripture it helps eh?
And therein lies the challenge.
What would you like to discuss about this piece? Is there anything new learned? Are there any of the passages that are applied is a "sus" way? Got a different or amplifying take on this subject?