Posted on 07/07/2015 8:09:43 AM PDT by Kaslin
In the matter of the "culture wars," evangelical Christians are asking, "what do we do now?" The question is being raised in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's decision striking down state laws reserving marriage for heterosexual couples.
The "culture wars," while well-intentioned, were a mistake from the beginning. Evangelical Christians, whose Leader said, "My Kingdom is not of this world," thought they could organize people of like mind and like faith and create a voting bloc to elect people who would impose something resembling that other kingdom on people who do not see themselves as members of that kingdom. Given the number of politicians who seem to have difficulty imposing a moral code of any sort on themselves, such a strategy was doomed from the start. Why didn't they learn from previous "moral improvement" movements that if one wants to change culture, one must first change individuals? For evangelical Christians that can only be done by the transformation of the heart, soul and mind, something that is beyond the power of secular -- or even religious -- politicians.
Conservative Christians wanted to be liked and respected by the world. Republican politicians saw them as a reliable voting bloc and were happy to have them in the party, but party leaders and elected officials did little to advance their agenda. Leaders gave them lip service, saying what Christians wanted to hear and in some cases even quoted a Bible verse, but in reality most party leaders were embarrassed, even offended, by people many regarded as throwbacks, if not to the Dark Ages, then to the rural South.
Fundraisers and TV evangelists were happy to promote this "kingdom of the world" mentality because it brought them the illusion of influence, money and a place at the table. Few minds were changed, and culture became more deformed than reformed. The country grows increasingly secular in part because conservative evangelicals gave the impression that being born again means instant adoption into the Republican Party.
As a longtime fan of Broadway musicals and plays, I believe that the original cast is always better than the touring company. Evangelicals should return to the "original cast," whose members include Jesus of Nazareth, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, James and Timothy. Consider their lives and tactics as they faced a hostile political and religious environment that brought persecution, even death. These men -- and their followers -- had little interest in an earthly kingdom. Instead, they focused on that other kingdom, and billions of lives have been transformed in the centuries that followed. Those transformed lives have, in many cases, transformed cultures.
A recent letter to the editor posted on TwinCities.com got it right:
"If the Supreme Court, in its June 26 ruling to redefine the meaning of marriage, has made things less comfortable for believers, we must ask ourselves why we were so comfortable to begin with.
"The Apostle Peter pleaded with the church, 'Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.' Those who have resisted the acceptance of sin have done well in living out Peter's admonition, but acceptance of our standing as outsiders remains a point of struggle. "Christians, as aliens and strangers in this world, should not be surprised when a world separated from God lives out its faith. It is, however, our duty to act in unity with God by sacrificing our time and risking friendships, academic performance and professional standing -- all idols in this world -- to display the unrivaled confidence and hope we have in Christ.
"We cannot change a fallen world, but we can be God's instrument in saving people from it. Eternally speaking, there is nothing to lose and everything to gain." -- Jack Wheeler, Hudson, Wis."
Lest someone misinterpret what Mr. Wheeler and I are saying, this isn't about surrender; it is about enlisting in a different "army," using more powerful nonpolitical weapons. Google "Beatitudes" and see what I mean. Practice them and observe the impact they have on the culture.
“Evangelicals Should Return To Core Beliefs”, that and the King James Holy Bible!
So is he saying that people of faith should not be concerned about our secular laws??? Fighting for our beliefs in areas of secular laws such as abortion laws and marriage are major pieces of the so called culture war. Is he saying that whatever the latest thing liberals come up with, don’t worry about it?? I don’t get this.
We Christians are going to have to mobilize for real ... as soldiers ... and engage in battle.
Cal Thomas should write about the Pope and his insane political moves... now that’s a religion he’s familiar with...
“If the Supreme Court, in its June 26 ruling to redefine the meaning of marriage, has made things less comfortable for believers, we must ask ourselves why we were so comfortable to begin with.
I don’t get this statement. We have been uncomfortable about this issue at least since the first homosexual marriage court ruling, in Massachusetts in 2003. It was clear then that their goal was to force homosexual marriage through the courts.
We are less comfortable today, not because we were comfortable before, but because the goal posts have been moved. Now that the Court has declared a constitutional right to homosexual marriage, the legal landscape has changed. We may see churches and religious institutions sued over homosexual marriage. This would not have happened before. But now that the goal posts have been moved, it’s entirely possible that Christians especially will be sued.
From November 2003 to June 2015, those of us concerned about marriage were not comfortable with the status quo. Rather, we were working to try to prevent nationwide homosexual marriage and the resulting declaration of homosexual marriage as a civil right.
Isn’t Cal Thomas an evangelical Christian?
Freegards
We Christians are going to have to learn to say “NO.”
Loudly and clearly, regardless of the consequences.
Individually or as a group.
BTTT
I think he may be eluding to the fact that our lives (lived for Christ) will affect culture...in time. That “politics” doesn’t make Christ look very appealing. NONE of this will make any difference and we will have little impact on culture, until the Church gets its act together.
He thinks he knows what he is talking about. He doesn’t. He must falsely accuse people of wrong motives in order to bash. Christians are perfectly capable of multi-tasking. They can care supremely about the gospel AND be good and active citizens. Maybe Cal cannot. He speaks only for himself. I find him most unchristian: he falsely judges others, he is harsh, he is cruel, he is arrogant, etc.
You’re right - he is... thanks for the correction Ran...
Conservative Christians wanted to be liked and respected by the world. Republican politicians saw them as a reliable voting bloc and were happy to have them in the party, but party leaders and elected officials did little to advance their agenda. Leaders gave them lip service, saying what Christians wanted to hear and in some cases even quoted a Bible verse, but in reality most party leaders were embarrassed, even offended, by people many regarded as throwbacks, if not to the Dark Ages, then to the rural South.
Fundraisers and TV evangelists were happy to promote this "kingdom of the world" mentality because it brought them the illusion of influence, money and a place at the table. Few minds were changed, and culture became more deformed than reformed. The country grows increasingly secular in part because conservative evangelicals gave the impression that being born again means instant adoption into the Republican Party.
Just about the only thing I agree with in the above is the sentence "if one wants to change culture, one must first change individuals". I have to say that I'm disappointed in Cal Thomas for writing this.
The “Culture War” was a response to being attacked by politicians. It was an attempt to prevent the Left from imposing their anti-God values on the rest of us. It was about leaving abortion either illegal or restricted, since it involves taking innocent human life. It rejected legalizing drugs. It insisted self-defense was a God given right, which the government could not take away from us.
What is the point of having the right to vote if you cannot vote for those who want what you want: freedom. Freedom that is denied to the innocent life taken by abortion, or destroyed by use of dangerous drugs. Freedom to protect oneself and one’s family from criminals.
Homosexual marriage is, legally, about gaining government benefits - improved tax rates, inheritance law, etc. It is also a weapon to use in attacking Christians and driving us out of the public square, including employment. If that isn’t something worth fighting, what is? I don’t plan on being rounded up and taken to a re-education camp peacefully. Lots of Jews tried to weather the storm under Hitler. It didn’t work so well. But while there are peaceful means to resist the assault against me, I will use them!
And, HERE AGAIN, we see how the church has succumbed to the culture as it regards our language.
Once we use the term "heterosexual couples" we defeat ourselves within the argument itself.
Why is the media seen as the arbiters of the "meaning" of language? TAKE IT BACK!
Agree 1000%.
or destroyed by use of dangerous drugs.
Including alcohol and tobacco, which have destroyed many lives?
“Evangelicals Should Return To Core Beliefs”, that and the King James Holy Bible!
The KJV has more...what...than other Bibles? Can a person get more saved or more holy with the KJV? I’m guessing you haven’t actually done any comparing.
He is Catholic
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