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Christian Positions Are Not Republican or Democrat, Rev. Tim Keller Says
Christian Post ^ | 10/02/2018 | Stoyan Zaimov

Posted on 10/02/2018 8:49:10 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

Timothy Keller has argued that historical Christian positions on controversial social issues do not fit with America's two-party political system.

Keller, a best-selling author and founder of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, wrote in an op-ed for The New York Times on Saturday that the Christian approach to social issues could be attacked both by the left and the right.

"For example, following both the Bible and the early church, Christians should be committed to racial justice and the poor, but also to the understanding that sex is only for marriage and for nurturing family," he wrote.

"One of those views seems liberal and the other looks oppressively conservative. The historical Christian positions on social issues do not fit into contemporary political alignments."

Keller pointed out that this does not mean that Christians should avoid making stands on important issues, noting that in the 19th century, churches that did not speak out against slavery were in reality supporting the practice.

Timothy Keller has argued that historical Christian positions on controversial social issues do not fit with America's two-party political system.

Keller, a best-selling author and founder of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, wrote in an op-ed for The New York Times on Saturday that the Christian approach to social issues could be attacked both by the left and the right.

"For example, following both the Bible and the early church, Christians should be committed to racial justice and the poor, but also to the understanding that sex is only for marriage and for nurturing family," he wrote.

"One of those views seems liberal and the other looks oppressively conservative. The historical Christian positions on social issues do not fit into contemporary political alignments."

Keller pointed out that this does not mean that Christians should avoid making stands on important issues, noting that in the 19th century, churches that did not speak out against slavery were in reality supporting the practice.

"Another reason not to align the Christian faith with one party is that most political positions are not matters of biblical command but of practical wisdom. This does not mean that the church can never speak on social, economic and political realities, because the Bible often does," he wrote.

"Racism is a sin, violating the second of the two great commandments of Jesus, to 'love your neighbor.' The biblical commands to lift up the poor and to defend the rights of the oppressed are moral imperatives for believers. For individual Christians to speak out against egregious violations of these moral requirements is not optional."

Keller argued that it is neither valid to withdraw entirely from politics, nor to "assimilate and fully adopt one party's whole package."

"The Gospel gives us the resources to love people who reject both our beliefs and us personally. Christians should think of how God rescued them. He did it not by taking power but by coming to earth, losing glory and power, serving and dying on a cross. How did Jesus save? Not with a sword but with nails in his hands," he concluded.

Mark Tooley, president of the Institute on Religion and Democracy, praised Keller's op-ed in a blog post, but added that some Christians rightly serve God in a life of political abstinence while others serve God in politically partisan endeavors.

"Cloistered religious orders, the Amish, various other separatist communities, and many persons are generous in prayer and charity without direct political witness. They serve God where they are without insisting all others follow their example," he wrote. And, "Intense or professional political activism is a special calling likely for very few Christians, as no doubt Keller would agree."

Keller has made similar points in the past, and in 2016 told Christians divided by politics that their Christian identity should come first.

"All across the world there is a lot of political fragmentation ... there is more and more political fragmentation in so many countries, and unfortunately Christians might be tempted to be fragmented right along. We might start getting divided politically instead of remembering that you're Christian first and you're white, black, Asian, Hispanic, second. You're a Christian first and you're American, or you're British and you're African second," the theologian argued weeks before the 2016 general election in the U.S., won by now-President Donald Trump.


TOPICS: Evangelical Christian; Moral Issues; Religion & Culture; Religion & Politics
KEYWORDS: christian; democrat; republican; timkeller
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1 posted on 10/02/2018 8:49:10 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

These issues are none of the central government’s business (per the constitution).


2 posted on 10/02/2018 8:52:41 AM PDT by Jim Robinson (Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God!)
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To: SeekAndFind

One party openly hates God. The other at least pays lip service to the idea that God exists.

BTW - Many conservatives, like myself, give money to the poor. What conservative Christians balk at is feeling good about giving OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY to the poor.


3 posted on 10/02/2018 8:55:35 AM PDT by Mr Rogers (Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools)
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To: SeekAndFind
"For example, following both the Bible and the early church, Christians should be committed to racial justice and the poor"

But what is racial justice? Many believe that means a color blind church and society. Everyone is treated the same. That would be the biblical approach. But to the sjw's in the church it means something entirely different. They reject the "color blind" approach and contend that racial justice means government mandated equal outcomes and redistribution of wealth.

4 posted on 10/02/2018 8:57:26 AM PDT by circlecity
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To: SeekAndFind

Let’s not be naive. Don’t kill babies, and don’t pay for those who do.


5 posted on 10/02/2018 8:59:16 AM PDT by aspasia
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To: SeekAndFind

“Intense or professional political activism is a special calling likely for very few Christians, as no doubt Keller would agree.”

WOW. I really hope NOT.


6 posted on 10/02/2018 8:59:37 AM PDT by griffin
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To: Mr Rogers

Very well said.


7 posted on 10/02/2018 9:00:00 AM PDT by Professional
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To: circlecity

“But what is racial justice? “
BINGO.


8 posted on 10/02/2018 9:00:51 AM PDT by griffin
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To: SeekAndFind

Simply put, the DNC has become pure Evil.


9 posted on 10/02/2018 9:00:51 AM PDT by Professional
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To: SeekAndFind

Christian Positions Are Not Republican or Democrat, Rev. Tim Keller Says

Well, Democrats are uniformly in favor of killing unborn babies while Republicans are not.

And, excuse me if I’m wrong, but I thought that killing unborn babies was kind of part of that “thou shalt not kill” thing. So how does being a Democrat fit with THAT “Christian position”?


10 posted on 10/02/2018 9:01:51 AM PDT by Pravious
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To: SeekAndFind

Since every single position of the Democrat party opposes the bible and every position of the Republican party opposes the Democrats, I call BS.


11 posted on 10/02/2018 9:04:16 AM PDT by DungeonMaster (If your church believes in evolution it is not a Christian church.)
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To: SeekAndFind

Regarding justice - the “racial” should have NO bearing. We are a government of rule of law.

“Racial” is brought into the mix by people who want a double standard or don’t like to endure the reality that their inferior cultural characteristics tend to get the people of their culture into trouble by violating the rule of law that we all must live by in order to have a civil society.


12 posted on 10/02/2018 9:05:04 AM PDT by griffin
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To: griffin

If this was Keller’s attempt at ecumenicalism of the left and right, it was rather poorly executed and way to broad.


13 posted on 10/02/2018 9:07:22 AM PDT by griffin
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To: SeekAndFind
Kept looking for the words "abortion" or "infanticide" in the article - couldn't find them.

An oversight?

Regards,

14 posted on 10/02/2018 9:09:06 AM PDT by alexander_busek (Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.)
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To: SeekAndFind

If you think God doesn’t exist and that He’s in favor of aborting babies...you might be a Democrat.


15 posted on 10/02/2018 9:10:23 AM PDT by Tell It Right (1st Thessalonians 5:21 - put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true)
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To: SeekAndFind
No but Democrat positions on things like Abortion are obviously satanic in origins. The GOP might not always be on God's side the Democrat never are.

Anyone who thinks God approves of murdering children in the womb because they are an inconvenience for the mother is in for a rude awaking when they get to talk to God about it.

16 posted on 10/02/2018 9:14:30 AM PDT by MNJohnnie (2016: For the first time since 1984, I voted for a Rep President all other votes were anti Dem)
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To: SeekAndFind

This is such blather

Racial justice is a new political construct used to acquire power

What a load of crap

If the Greeks or Romans ran into less developed tribes they called them savages and less than them

Christianity didn’t tame that in anyone

The Israelites often say themselves superior as a peoples to their antagonists as well

And so it goes

Today it’s a tool to destroy the top dog and make him pay for his own destruction

And it appears young people especially emotive young women buy it


17 posted on 10/02/2018 9:15:22 AM PDT by wardaddy (I donÂ’t care that youÂ’re not a racist......listening to the Troggs late tonight....babababambababa)
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To: circlecity

Christians should be committed to racial justice and the poor”

Please point to where in the bible it says “take from the rich at sword point what they have rightfully earned and give it to the poor in subistance level payouts so they vote for you every 2 years”

Charity and dealing Justly are duties of the INDIVIDUAL Christians not one they can claim to fulfill by putting them to the Government.


18 posted on 10/02/2018 9:17:02 AM PDT by MNJohnnie (2016: For the first time since 1984, I voted for a Rep President all other votes were anti Dem)
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To: SeekAndFind
Christian Positions Are Not Republican or Democrat

And vice versa, more often than not.

Whatever this evil might be, it now owns the demonrat party and an unknown percentage of the Republican party and is in direct and purposeful opposition to the Father and His Son.

I think Fatima warned us about this, but we weren’t having it, so now “it” has US.

Or would have, if not for President Trump and all he has brought with him.

From darkness to Light!

19 posted on 10/02/2018 9:18:35 AM PDT by GBA (Beliefs => Reality. Believe... wisely.)
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To: SeekAndFind

No. Membership in the democrat party is incompatible with Christianity.


20 posted on 10/02/2018 9:19:45 AM PDT by I want the USA back (Cynicism is the only refuge in a world that is determined to eliminate itself.)
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