I mean, is there a political litmus test of orthodoxy in theology? Do our political "opinions" influence our theology? Now, to be sure, we hold opinions, but convictions hold us. There is something you believe, and then there is something you will die for. For instance, in the Civil War, or the War between the States, families were often set against each other, brother against brother, and so forth. This was such a strong political influence that people were willing to die for it and many volunteered for the war--the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry that was the first to volunteer when Pres. Lincoln called for regiments. It should be obvious that our regional upbringing and background have a lot to do with what kind of politics we have--not many Minnesotans joined the South.
There were sincere people on both sides that believed in the same God, read the same Bible, and even belonged to the same church denomination who opposed each other. God wasn't concerned about what so-called side they were on but the condition of their heart and whether they loved Him and their neighbors, to be specific. He isn't going to ask us, "What side were you on in the War?" but "Did you love Me during the War?"
It is unfortunate that in today's evangelical churches that stress is made on conservative politics, as if all Christians should be conservatives, to their definition. You cannot put God in a box and label Him, how does one know what party God would be a member of? Wouldn't that have to be a perfect party, since God is holy? It is not the question asked, "Are you a Democrat or Republican? but "If you are a Democrat or Republican, do you love Republicans or Democrats?"
With all the bitterness and backbiting, and slander, libel, and insults, I really wonder if this is the case. The point is, is that there are sincere believers on both sides, and it is just like a ballgame, in which we believe that God doesn't take sides in any way that we can figure out, but must leave the outcome to the providence of God.
It is wrong to call a movement the "Evangelical Right" implying that this is the orthodox position and that there is a consensus here to be conservative among Christians. Do you know that a lot of African-American Christian voters are Democrats and they are just as sincere in their faith as the White majority who vote Republican? There ought to be a separation of church and state in the sense that churches ought to stay out of politics and stay with the main thing--the Great Commission, which is the only program they are to be converted to. "Keep the main thing the main thing!" I don't go to church to get propaganda about a pastor's political leanings.
Let me apply the Bible as I see fit and leave room for disagreement in the body: Remember Augustine's famous dictum, "In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity." We are not to hate (and showing disrespect and dishonor is a form of it) our leaders who we elected in the providence of God is to be hypocritical to our faith--we should be trusting in God and praying for all in authority, even honoring the king, no matter who he is and how much we disagree. Soli Deo Gloria!
There were sincere people on both sides that believed in the same God, read the same Bible, and even belonged to the same church denomination who opposed each other. God wasn't concerned about what so-called side they were on but the condition of their heart and whether they loved Him and their neighbors, to be specific. He isn't going to ask us, "What side were you on in the War?" but "Did you love Me during the War?"
It is unfortunate that in today's evangelical churches that stress is made on conservative politics, as if all Christians should be conservatives, to their definition. You cannot put God in a box and label Him, how does one know what party God would be a member of? Wouldn't that have to be a perfect party, since God is holy? It is not the question asked, "Are you a Democrat or Republican? but "If you are a Democrat or Republican, do you love Republicans or Democrats?"
With all the bitterness and backbiting, and slander, libel, and insults, I really wonder if this is the case. The point is, is that there are sincere believers on both sides, and it is just like a ballgame, in which we believe that God doesn't take sides in any way that we can figure out, but must leave the outcome to the providence of God.
It is wrong to call a movement the "Evangelical Right" implying that this is the orthodox position and that there is a consensus here to be conservative among Christians. Do you know that a lot of African-American Christian voters are Democrats and they are just as sincere in their faith as the White majority who vote Republican? There ought to be a separation of church and state in the sense that churches ought to stay out of politics and stay with the main thing--the Great Commission, which is the only program they are to be converted to. "Keep the main thing the main thing!" I don't go to church to get propaganda about a pastor's political leanings.
Let me apply the Bible as I see fit and leave room for disagreement in the body: Remember Augustine's famous dictum, "In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity." We are not to hate (and showing disrespect and dishonor is a form of it) our leaders who we elected in the providence of God is to be hypocritical to our faith--we should be trusting in God and praying for all in authority, even honoring the king, no matter who he is and how much we disagree. Soli Deo Gloria!
I believe there is a righteous worldview to interpret the times (cf. 1 Chr. 12:32) and direct our viewpoints, (this is very nebulous and a will-o'-the-wisp sort of effort, and it is vain to be dogmatic with our limited understanding) we should refrain from labeling and putting ourselves or our God in a box, which is really limiting God. God is infinite and our finite minds can only say, "No one can stay His hand, or say to Him, 'What have You done?'" (Dan. 4:35).
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