Posted on 03/26/2010 4:27:43 PM PDT by Colofornian
A group of more than 100 prominent Christians ranging from evangelical minister Jim Wallis on the political left to...Chuck Colson on the right released a document Thursday calling for an end to the fight club tone of the national political discourse.
...the "Civility Covenant"...says...churches have too often "reflected the political divisions of our culture rather than the unity we have in the body of Christ."
SNIP
...the covenant...has 114 signatories from a broad swath of Christian traditions, including the president of the National Association of Evangelicals, the head of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference and the general superintendent of the Assemblies of God...
The list...includes...conservative Christian leaders like Harry Jackson -- who led the unsuccessful fight against gay marriage in Washington -- to Morna Murray, president of the progressive Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, which is close to the Obama White House.
SNIP
Quoting the New Testament, the new covenant urges Christians to "put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you."
"We owe a certain responsibility to each other as believers," said Colson, an influential evangelical Christian voice. "This doesn't mean I haven't challenged some people's theology. But the document says we're not going to challenge each other's motives or engage in ad hominem attacks."
SNIP
...Wallis organized a boycott of Beck's show but says the timing of the covenant's release is incidental.
Colson said the document "wouldn't apply to Glenn Beck because we're talking about the conversation in the family of believers ... Glenn Beck is a Mormon."
Many Christians don't consider Mormons...to be Christians, though Mormons consider themselves Christian...
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
(Oh, it must be the "Cleon Skousen" preaching Beck has done of this author...you know, Skousen...the author who claimed that if all the universal intelligences out there -- a vague reference to the Mormon "council of gods" who they say exist -- anyway, if all these "intelligences" withdrew their support, God would no longer be God!!!)
If Beck "does a better job of teaching Christian ideals," then why has he so openly promoted another Mormon author who effectively claimed that God could be "fired!"?????
I hate that almost every blasted thread lately has come to a showdown btwn mormons and non-mormons....
I believe mormons are in error.
I also believe catholics are in error.
And I am a christian.
It profits NOTHING to debate doctrine in a political setting. Crap, I want EVERY conservative, even the atheists, standing beside me in the days ahead. We’re gonna need each other and I look at it like this: I might convert a few along the way (catholics AND mormons)...
So instead of bashing each other, LOVE. Jesus said “they’ll know you’re my disciples (A.K.A. Christians??) by your love one for another....UNITE! Don’t bash other religions. LIVE it. BE the church. everyday....and yes, fight the crooks and commies til the cows come home....The Bible also says to expose evil...so we’re justified in questioning their motives...
As far as religion...EVERYONE can’t be right. The Bible says there’s ONE LORD, ONE FAITH AND ONE BAPTISM... and narrow is the way to heaven....SOMEONE’S wrong...is it you? Are you sure? Because you can’t afford to be wrong... it’ll cost you your soul.
Don't forget:
Whatever floats your boat.
All roads lead to Rome.
Like spokes on a wheel, they all lead to the hub.
If it feels good, do it.
All truth is relative.
It all sounds good except... we have this dude named Jesus who very clearly said:
I am the way, the truth and the life and no man comes to the Father but by me. John 14:6
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved. John 10:9
Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:14
Other verses in the Bible also define the way to God as one way. For example:
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
So, sorry...that's a nice-sounding platitude, but unless you're talking about personal tastes in clothes or food, etc., you can't call yourself a Christian if you don't believe what the Bible says it means.
THAT's why we do it!
Of COURSE our country is important; but it's not ALL important!
Jim Rob seems to think that religious speech IS important: even in THIS setting.
2 Corinthians 11:12
And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about.
Nothing against Beck, personally, I like the guy, and nothing against you, but on each of your stated beliefs, the Mormon theology does not teach these things. Reaganaut and Colofornian could do a much more thorough job than I can on elucidating each difference, but if these are your "must haves" to consider someone a Christian...the LDS ain't in the same place.
‘Zactly.
I am not advocating that Christians just ‘lay down and take it’. But what I AM saying is that we shouldn’t advocate mass destruction of our enemies.
Those warriors who are Christians know that casualties happen, but are not gleeful at their enemies demise. All must remember that we are answerable to God and will have to give account.
Oh, I am for being a witness ALL THE TIME. But, we are witnesses so much more in how we LIVE, the way we relate to others, etc. Being hateful and rude is NOT being a witness!
Totally appropriate to tell others of Christ and the freedom he offers....absolutely. But they aren’t going to listen to someone that has just told them how stupid they are and how evil their “cult” is.....
That’s my point. When the rich young ruler turned christ down, Jesus just walked away...he didn’t beg and plead...neither did he tell the man how stupid he was...or insinuate it by demeaning him....not everyone will listen or hear...IMHO, to keep agitating them is most unchristlike....
oh and the UNITY, i was referring to was political... not religious...like I said everyone can’t be right...
well said.
Ecumenism is Communism with a Cross.
and my apologies because this IS listed in the religious forum so doctrine debate is appropiate....I was looking at it from a political standpoint....i still stick with the stop being so rude about it mantra...
I have been irritated that some political forums that are anti-romney have turned into this same debate...(and I am NO Romney fan)....I just feel like we are in the fight of our lives with obama and the muslims and the message gets off course with what Joseph Smith did or didn’t do....
When the Left does it, they call it “speaking truth to power.”
When we do it, it’s “terrorism.”
I’ve come to the realization that christians from the left are not Christians.
I’m an honest man. See, I bought this house humble as it may be, and somehow, it just seems right that I pay for it. Even if tens of thousands joined me, nay, millions, it wouldn’t make it right for me to not pay for it. Once upon a time, FReepers at least would have recognized that as a conservative value.
I do understand.
I am looking for ways to stop the destruction of this country. Maybe even do it in such a way that won’t require guns. It would be a massive hit on the current power structure. It is not about getting a free ride because others are, or even being dishonest. It is an idea, an idea to effect the direction of this country because just having Tea Parties, and calling, didn’t and isn’t going to work.
What is more conservative than trying to keep our country free?
Do you have a better idea?
We shudder when we learn of muslim brutality....decapitations of heads and various other body parts. But what is done within the very womb of a mother, who is appointed to protect and care for the new life within her, far surpassses anything muslims commit....and we somehow call it “a right”.
I agree with you. The last thing America needs is MORE deadbeats! There are much greater ways to defeat the enemies of America.
Also, I have a serious problem with any church organization requiring one hands over ownership of their properties to them.... Jim Jones did this and many other cults and false religions do as well. It makes no difference if they “return management” of those properties...that's just deceptive in the same way Obama does with the public now and our resources..... It is deception, whether voluntarily or not. (No wonder the mormon church claims the wealth that they do.)
There are many other items of dispute listed in this post which are contrary to truth...and a misuse of scripture. This is generally how false religions and cults operate. What I see there is a lot of twisting with words and phrases...such as the “The Lords’s eliminating the inequalities of men”... apparently by falling under the mormon belief system of operating.
All men are created equal but not all men are equal... and that will not be found here on earth in any ones life time....until the Lord Himself sets up His Kingdom...which will not be according to mans ideas of equality...which is tainted at best.
I read plenty enough to recognize mormanism a false religion, which indeed might have cultish practices were I to look deeper, especially if there are rites and oaths of secrecy, which should always be a warning and heads up as these are common to cults.
You cannot say “each to his own” and be a Chrisitan...Christ never said this.... If we held to that statement many would never turn to Christ...in fact they would be lost.
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