Kirsten Powers conversion to Christianity is one as a phony
liberal Christian
April 10,2013
http://jonathanmerritt.religionnews.com/2013/04/10/fox-news-evangelical-democrat-an-interview-with-kirsten-powers/
JM: As an orthodox Christian where do you stand on the issue of same-sex marriage?
KP: I view same-sex marriage as a civil rights issue. As Ted Olson and David Boies have pointed out, the Supreme Court has affirmed 14 times that marriage is a fundamental right. I believe the government should provide same-sex marriage, and churches should be left to do what they believe is right. I am eternally frustrated by the way Christians conflate holy matrimony and civil marriage. While Christians are free to have their decisions influenced and directed by what the Bible says, they are not free to impose those views on other people, especially when they are constitutionally protected rights.
The argument that we are “redefining marriage” is specious. First of all, marriage has been redefined before. “Marriage” in the United States used to mean “marriage between people of the same race.” Second, civil marriage can mean all sorts of things. If a couple is married but decide they want to have an “open marriage,” for example, the state still recognizes them as “married.” Is that the definition of marriage that most people have? No. But it is a definition of marriage in the eyes of the state.
As you know, when Christians enter into holy matrimony in a church, it is an entirely different commitment than when two people enter into a civil marriage, affirmed by the state. Holy matrimony is a union with God. The Christian view of marriage is that it is supposed to reflect Jesus to the world. That is an entirely different definition than a civil marriage, which is what the state provides. I understand that people are concerned that churches will be forced to perform same-sex marriages, against their beliefs. I don’t believe this will happen, but even if Christians are afraid that the government might overreach and persecute Christian churches, that is never a justification to infringe on other peoples constitutional rights. If you have a fear of potential discrimination by the government the answer is not to discriminate against another group.
Troubling, to be sure, given how recent the interview is. However, is it reasonable (or Biblical) to expect a new convert to instantaneously change their thinking in all areas, within seconds of their profession of faith in Christ, especially if they are not conversant in the Bible beforehand?
Some people just "pray the prayer" and then they (and others) expect God to automatically change their thinking, avoiding any heavy lifting for themselves. In my experience, God expects us to read His word, and submit to His commands, in order for our thinking to change. Give the lady time and see what comes of her profession of faith.
I view same-sex marriage as a civil rights issue.
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Ya all keep hugging her, folks.
Maybe some blood will get to her brain eventually.
Sanctification is a life long journey guided by the Holy Spirit.
We should be thankful God doesn’t dump all of our sins on us at one time, like he did with Isaiah. The older I get the more I see the depth of my sin and need for a Savior.
So she (coming out of the Liberal Democratic background) is basically saying that traditional Biblical marriage can never be changed, but that she believes that gays should have the same contractual rights as everyone else?
I would argue with her that redefining marriage through government IS wrong, but I would agree with her that (though I would plead for gays to come to faith in Christ-) they should have the contractual rights (of inheritance, ect)..
A liberal (mis)understanding of marriage, does NOT make one a “liberal Christian,” or “phony” in one’s profession of faith.
Individual Christians can be, and are all the time, wrong on any number of political opinions. So what? At least Kristen gives thoughtful reasons for her opinion, rather than the usual liberal vacuousness.