Where Faith and Politics Meet

4 Comment(s)

1. Redeemed | Jan 8, 2008 | Reply

   As a visitor to COR, I would like to express my concerns for this message.
   The good news is not two-fold - works plus faith. It is only 1 Corinthians 15 - Jesus died for our sins according to the Scripture and was buried and was resurrected according the the Scriptures. Once we have believed this, then our fruit will be a godly work (only produced by the Holy Spirit) and a Christ-like character. Though ones experience may be churches that tell the good news and yet don’t produce many works reflecting that good news, nevertheless our experience does not change the gospel.
   Although I appreciated the encouragement to take our faith into our secular lives, this set of “sermons” is no sermon at all. It is a man’s speech to men. It had little to do about God at all. Jesus said that eternal life is knowing God. We need to know God. As we know Him, we are transformed and we take that transformation into every area of our lives. Although movies may touch our emotions, they are feasting on wood, hay and stubble and building a house on sand that will not stand in the day of trouble. We are exhorted to feast on God’s Word and to build a house on the rock. If we do that one thing, we will each one exit our corporate worship with strength and wisdom to impact our world and make a difference. We will know God better and then act upon what we know in our homes and businesses and community and nation.
   Another problem that I saw was the Lord’s Supper. At the front table, leavened bread was used. Since this supper expresses the person and work of Jesus, this bread should be unleavened representing the sinless nature of Christ. Please consider this.
   Thank you for considering my concerns.

2. Tom | Jan 8, 2008 | Reply

   The big urge now by many is to fix problems now. Physical solutions like painting a wall or replacing glass is a good thing but it really doesn’t fix the root problem. You end up fixing a symptom.

   People have to ask what do you want to do. Do you want to change the world of put a band aid on the problem, pat yourself on the shoulder and go home. If you want to change the world you have to change the heart. The best way to change the heart is through the gospel.

   I think the key to the success of the church is not in its secular approach but in its ability through the gospel to change men’s heart. The secular helps. People listen to the gospel better if they have a full stomach. Remember after Easter 12 men had only a message, the gospel. In a short period of time their message became a major religion and the religion of the civilized world.

   If you change men’s circumstances without changing their heart you really don’t change anything. The same problem will come back tomorrow one way or another. There are lots of stories, facts and antidotes to prove that point. Any church approach to help out, change the world or just fix problems you have to include changing the heart. If you don’t do that you just end up going home patting yourself on your back then coming back later to do it all over again, and again, and again.

3. CraigSahrmann | Jan 8, 2008 | Reply

   For additional perspective, an excellent book to read is Senator John Danforth’s ‘Faith and Politics’.
   The former U.S. senator from MO and U.S. ambassador to the U.N. is an ordained Episcopal priest.
   Senator Danforth’s message in his book aligns with Adam’s message in his sermon series - to seek middle ground as a Christian so that your ministry is one of reconciliation rather than division. In the book Senator Danforth examines from a Christian perspective some of the issues/events that Adam might address in his sermon series…including abortion, stem cell research, gay marriage, the Schiavo case, displays of religion in the public square.
   Some of the more compelling parts of the book include Senator Danforth’s first-hand accounts of his dealings with world leaders (including U.S. presidents, Congress, the U.N.) and how he worked to avoid divisive party politics to help the country move forward together (certainly a theme in today’s campaigns). Particular compelling is his account of his work as a special envoy for peace in Sudan.
   Senator Danforth consistently credits his Christian faith for much of his political success. And in fact concludes his book with an examination of the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to the Romans - Scripture that he referred to throughout his career as a model of how we can live together as one country, despite our political differences.

4. Tom | Jan 12, 2008 | Reply

   Excellent sermon today about the culture wars. I found the sermon really interesting and though provoking. Adam did a great job of presenting both sides of the issue and still making a point. He should be applauded for taking the risk and addressing such subjects. Few preachers nowadays would take such a risk.

   I really like his story about his parents. It is so, so enriching to hear that story. That story says so much about faith and politics without saying it. His personal story shows how faith has a real impact in the world. It shows how faith and values is more than just words from a pulpit. They are powerful forces that change lives and shape world events. Just think where COR and its 14,000 members would be if Adam’s mother thought faith was just something to sleep through at church, not something to base a life off of.

   There is one point which he did not talk about. Many of those “freedoms” mentioned in media about the 60s had a cost. The past 40 years since Woodstock has shown that there is a real world cost to not following the principles of the bible.

   I like what Adam mentioned about the left and right. He was on mark about how getting the other side drives their actions, not the issue. I too think that often their actions are only based off of what the other side did, not on the merits of the issue. We as voters should focus on the issue at hand not personalities involved like what the groups seem to do.

   Before the Clinton politics of triangulation took over America in the 90s Democracy used to create strange bedfellows. Weird political partners frequently used to join sides on issues of mutual interest in politics.An example is how in some cities churches got together with National Organization of Women Chapters and other feminist groups to work against porn. Both had different motivations for what they did but they had the same aim,eliminate porn. Both sides saw porn as bad for women. Such coalitions aren’t possible if yesterday you were yelling at the top of your lungs how NOW members were devils incarnate. They probably aren’t going to be in the mood to help you out no matter what the issue after you did that.

   There is a saying if you aren’t getting hit maybe you aren’t in the game. We should realize what we do in churches will upset the enemy, Satan. We should not be quiet in the name of peace at the cost of the gospel. We should never be ashamed of the gospel. Where would the world be if our forefathers didn’t speak about the truths of the bible. We still would have a gladiators, slavery, no hospitals and no public education.

   We must also remember that on issues of life the devil is in the details. There is always a gap between theory and reality. Bridging that gap will always involve painful choices.

   If we want to export the values of Jesus into a fallen and hurting world we will upset people. Jesus even says that in the bible we will be persecuted in his name. The mere idea of God will upset a small portion of our society. Church activities outside of church will make some people uncomfortable because the idea of God reminds them of their sin.

   That flak you hear the next time you are witnessing about the gospel may just mean you are on target.

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