Posted on 07/09/2006 10:46:07 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
After spending 30 years in the wilderness the "Christian left" is making its voice heard. From Washington, D.C., to Dallas, large conferences have been held in an attempt to politically mobilize these "progressive" Christians. Much can be said about this burgeoning movement, and much will be said in the coming months.
For now, let's start with this: as fellow believers, we should not be afraid to engage the evangelical left's ideas in a spirit of love. It would be a mistake, as we begin this dialogue, to view these men and women as "political enemies" rather than fellow members of the body of Christ. From the outset, we should insist that our discussions be grounded in our mutual love of Christ rather than our differing political commitments. Let Christ be the foundation upon which we all stand.
Many liberal evangelicals claim that the church, in its political thinking, has neglected a major aspect of Christ's concern: the poor and vulnerable. Their most cherished phrase is "social justice," and they say we conservatives have neglected it. Again, let's not dismiss this criticism out of hand. As I have written in the past, the Bible is unequivocal about our responsibility toward the poor. As Christians, we should not be shy about discussing our responsibility toward the "least of these," and we should think creatively about different ways in which we can serve them.
On the other hand, we are not simply talking about the responsibility of the church, but we are debating the role of government in crafting public policy solutions. As conservatives and liberals, we doubtless will find that our solutions to problems differ. When those substantial differences arise, it is the perfect opportunity to practice Christian charity as we calmly and thoughtfully explain the reasons for our differences. In the partisan and divisive political atmosphere of Washington, D.C., let the whole world see how the Christians love each other despite their differences. Let the whole world see how we reason together, mutually striving to know the Truth in all things.
Perhaps liberal evangelicals will help remind the body of Christ that our greatest obligation is not to be financially successful or politically triumphant, but to love our Lord and our neighbor, even in public life. Perhaps they will also encourage us to develop new political solutions to the timeless problem of material poverty. As conservatives, our policy proposals probably won't include lots of major federal programs because our experience shows that solutions rooted in the expansion of governmental bureaucracy often do more harm than good. However, we must not fall prey to the rhetoric of secular conservatives who put worldly financial concerns above all else. As Christians, we have a duty to address the needs of the poor, and it would be wrong for us to fall prey to a radically individualistic mentality. "Dog eat dog" is not a biblical phrase and "the survival of the fittest" is not a Christian concept. Our priority is the common good, with a special concern for those who have the least.
At the same time, perhaps there are ways in which we can help progressives look at things differently. For example, there was recently a meeting in Dallas called the National Conference and Revival for Social Justice in the Black Church. Speakers included Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. While these pastors actually said some things with which we agree, they also made some unhelpful remarks.
Al Sharpton's speech is a perfect example. He criticized the black church for being too worried about what he called "bedroom issues"—marriage and abortion. He thinks they should mobilize on social justice issues rather than be distracted by abortion. On something like this, we have an obligation to vigorously defend the unborn. Perhaps we can help progressive Christians like Al Sharpton understand that abortion is the greatest social justice issue of our time. Unborn babies really are the least among us—undeniably alive, undeniably human, and tragically exploited. When innocent children are dying, we cannot close the bedroom door and pretend that it does not concern us, that it is a private matter. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." As Christians, we have an obligation to protect the weak and defenseless—born and unborn.
The emergence of a progressive evangelical movement affords a wonderful opportunity to foster a public discussion about the role of faith in civic life. Sometimes, it must be admitted, we get lazy in our political thinking. We know that at some point we thought through the reasons behind our positions, but maybe that was years ago. It is always helpful to remember why we believe what we believe, reviewing our old arguments to see if they are still strong. Even worse, sometimes we allow others in the "conservative coalition" to do our political thinking for us, even when they come from very secular starting points.
Liberal evangelicals help us because they share our foundational commitment to Christ, yet they see political questions in a different light. As we actively dialogue with them about our political positions, hopefully both sides will benefit. Most importantly, let us pray that Christ will be glorified in the way we conduct our conversation.
You're absolutely right, Aussie. I know nothing about the guy, but his wimpiness and naivete are clear almost immediately. It's disappointing that this ran in the reliably hardcore Human Events. Makes me wonder what other crap they might start to run. I certainly hope this is a rare lapse and won't happen again soon.
The religious left is always stupid and usually obnoxiously self-righteous and arrogant. There is no point in dialogue with them. They must be opposed just like any other political enemy. And contrary to this opinion piece, it is a serious danger. Lots of folks who are conservative but interested in Christianity to the exclusion of everything else can be fooled by this crowd. That is exactly the religious left's aim, so dialogue with some of our own people is necessary on this issue, even though it shouldn't be.
Stupidity is, unfortunately, an extremely powerful force in politics.
We have and continue to throw money at every type of lazy charlatan. People claim disability for back pain, PTSD, ADHD, alcoholism, and every type of nonsense imaginable.
Paul said, "If they will not work, neither will they eat."
Second Thess. 3:10.
Jesus fed the flock and sent them home. He didn't tell them to quit their jobs and recive monthly checks for booze and cigarettes. What is so very hard here?
Depends... The main problem with the Christian Left is their penchant for making their faith subject to their political ideologies.
If I'm not mistaken, Ken Connor, the author of this piece of drivel, is or was the head of a major "religious-right" organization. If I'm right, God help us.
Yes. I would add that they are idolators.
He's right to highlight abortion. The evidence that he's wet behind the ears is in his irenic tone about Sharpton and Jackson--both of whom are nothing but thugs--blackmailers and baby-killers.
"Fine sentiments BUT am I unChristian to think this bloke a bit wet behind the ears?"
"To the pure, all things are pure." (New Testament Book of Titus, Chapter 1, verse 15.)
oh yeah, we need al sharpton on our side...yeah, in my nightmares...better to reduce the left to a puddle of jelly...christian atheist or jew...to hell with the useful idiots of the Left.
IMO, the religious left is primarily composed of heretics. Christ was undoubtably more concerned about the spiritual health of people than the material needs of the poor. Although I can understand someone who wants to use the government to help others, the religious left usually combines their socialism with support for abortion and homosexuality. That just doesn't square with the Bible.
As for as the Reverend Sharpton goes, how can a professing Christian ignore the sin in people's lives while he works to feed them? If the poor are fed and not saved, they are literally no better off than when they were hungry.
Look at Ted Kennedy's preaching about minimum wage as the Christian thing to do. He doesn't care about any Christian acts, unless it will get votes for Dems.
It's part of their 'how can we fool them today' game plan. Note the toning down of Christian Fundementalist extremist talk lately. Do you believe they really had a change of heart? I don't. I think it's all politically motivated.
Forgive me, but isn't "Christian Left" sort of an oxymoron?
If you stop and think about what I wrote, you'll see that that is pretty much what I said.
Unfortunately, not necessarily. Christianity does open up some big holes that the wrong people can easily drive a truck through.
However, it is probably true that most of the religious left are not Christians in any real sense, or even genuine believers in God.
They were going to show that the only moral vote was for the person (Kerry) who would help the poor, save the environment, show tolerance, etc. He became a mail order minister and put a religious bumper sticker on his car. It read, Who would Jesus bomb? It was incredible that he actually believed that. I see the Dems keep trying.
I'll certainly dismiss it out of hand, because it's hogwash.
My church is well and deeply engaged in assisting the poor. The money I provide to the poor through my church is better and more efficiently targeted to meet real need than any money extorted by government through taxes and paid by some bureaucrat to subsidize the sociopolitical "victim" group du jour.
The entire essay is bunk, authored by someone who is already convinced that the left's peculiar spin on Christianity is holier and superior.
And just how does the left get away with throwing down monuments to the Ten Commandments as violating the separation of church and state, while sniffing and insisting that it's peculiar and insipid brand of wasteful and destructive Christianity be imposed on the rest of us through the tax system and bloated government?
No, conservatives' rejection of the Religious Left is precisely because of the poor and vulnerable - shamelessly exploited by the Left for political gain. They are kept dependent on government for generations, "freeing" the father to impregnate as many girls as he can. They then neglect their duty to the vulnerable - conceived under their policies - by allowing them to be unceremoniously slaughtered.
They do stand up for the right to life... of those convicted in a court of law of taking life.
They do stand up for peace - if the enemies are terrorists and might, just might, face annhilation under a non-leftist government.
It's their hipocrisy that has undermined any potential credibility.
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:15).
I agree. They seem to forget these words spoken by Jesus in Matthew 26:11: "The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me." When you look at the full context, its pretty clear that, while He thought helping the poor to be a worthy goal, He was trying to impress upon His listeners that spreading the gospel is the most important work of a Christian.
Traditionally, the definition of "progressive Christianity" is: Christianity with all the unpleasant stuff taken out. Of course, Christianity With All The Unpleasant Stuff Taken Out is a markedly different religion from mere Christianity, in Lewis's apt wordage.
"Mr. Connor is chairman of the Center for a Just Society. He is a trial and appellate attorney, known for his successful representation of victims of nursing home abuse and neglect. He is a past president of the Family Research Council"
yitbos
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.