AC: XVI - More discussion
This is from a IM conversation earlier. I am responding to a concern in regards to my discussion of the Christian Right. Perhaps I was not explicit enough or thorough as I think their concern is justified. I certainly by no means meant to condemn Christians in the public sector but merely suggest that some of their actions come across as so dogmatic as to actually serve as a negative witness of their faith. People may respond well to conviction but frankly the outside world sees the Christian faith as a blind faith, unjustifiable. Perhaps the public world is the realm where we should use God's gift of reason. The commenter is anonymous for their protection. Perhaps the greater problem in the civil realm is the imperitive of good works as preached by the Evangelical-based Christian right. Are these people compelled to do good in the civil realm as they believe it will impart or assure salvation? This inherently Calvanist perspective confuses the purpose of good works. In the Lutheran understanding good works comply with the will of God, benefit our neighbor, are from faith, and for the glory of God. So we can't preclude Lutheran involvement in the civil realm but the question is: Is this done for our benefit or for our neighbors? I suspect the motives of the Christian right. Are the farthest right of the bunch involved in politics out of love of the neighbor or rather for their own benefit. My other arguement was that no level of perfection of the civil realm in a moral law sense will yield the whole law, especially the first table (No other Gods, etc). Consequently, to expect the civil realm to be a vehicle to bring people to faith is faulty. Comments? [19:08] commenter: I think we have to make our wishes known - not as a church - but as Christian individuals. [19:29] dizzysound: yeah, that one is a bit difficult. I was speaking to the "700 Club", Focus on the Family, and Jesse Jacksons who use their religious orientation as some indication of higher judgement or better moral standard [19:30] dizzysound: I should say Focus on the Family Action, the more obviously politically motivated [19:30] dizzysound: Perhaps even Dr. james Kennedy... [19:31] commenter: I know. I like their other shows but think they try to tell us what to do. Maybe, a lot of people are not informed about issues and they help that situation. [19:31] commenter: As long as they are not a church, I think it is probably OK. [19:32] dizzysound: correct [19:32] commenter: But they encourage pastors to preach from the pulpits about governmental issues. [19:33] dizzysound: the church can be polemic on obvious issues, like abortion, homosexuality, and such [19:33] dizzysound: The compulsion to enact social change is personal and not directly the responsibility of the church [19:33] dizzysound: we pray to God for good government which he maintains and preserves [19:33] dizzysound: (according to the confessions) [19:35] commenter: But, they say that the supreme court justices will effect abortion, etc. [19:45] dizzysound: no, that falls completely inline with their view of humanity. They believe we're only as corrupt as the environment that surrounds us rather than being corrupt from conception which began with adam [19:45] dizzysound: This isn't saying they are wrong in that the SC justices may affect the direction of the court but their approach is wrong [19:45] dizzysound: they are dogmatic using a religious premise to affect a civil institution (right or wrong.) [19:46] dizzysound: their personal motivation is not the issue. [19:46] dizzysound: unfortunately they only means they use to justify their action is the religious belief. [19:47] dizzysound: this would be an example where reason could speak many more volumes to an unbeliever [19:47] commenter: hmmmm not sure if I understand... [19:47] dizzysound: The unbeliever may react to the Law but possibly not [19:48] dizzysound: okay, I'm suggesting that they are doing more to damage the Christian faith than help it by using their faith as their only justification of ... say repealing Roe v. Wade. [19:49] dizzysound: its not to say that this can't be their guiding reason to do so but their motivation will not speak to unbelievers [19:49] dizzysound: I am under the impression that Dobson and Robertson and the like think they are being witnesses through their involvement in the public realm.
