I was talking with some friends this morning and we were discussing politics as always. We talked about Obama being the president elect, how conservatives are reacting, the possible next Republican candidate, and how crazy Sarah Palin is.
We were talking about faith and how they relate to politics, and one thing really struck me. We need to redefine the gospel. I know that sounds scary, but Christianity is looking scary. The fact that there are so many churches but still so many orphans and homeless.
Especially homeless.
We get so caught up in our capitalistic society so we say "I'm not helping that bum, he is lazy and needs to get a job." First of all, that's probably not even true. We don't know his story until we ask him. When in scripture does it ever say "Sell your possessions and give the money to the poor, BUT if the poor don't look like they're getting a job, you don't have to give them anything." Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think we are ever to love or give only conditionally.
Or when does it say "Jesus loves everyone! (except gays, terrorists, Hillary Clinton, illegal immigrants, and the liberal media)"?
I just wonder, sometimes. What would our world look like if we read the gospel like Jesus intended us to?
posted by Spencer @ 3:22 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
This is the inevitable roadblock that I come to whenever I try to tell someone why a socialist economy would be a good thing for America. Our society and even the church have become so materialistic that we've lost sight of what Jesus has always been telling us to do.
We don't really need to redefine the Gospel, the Gospel has always said exactly the same thing. We need to redefine the way that we read it, seeing what Jesus actually said instead of what we would have liked for him to say.
True. Personally, I do like capitalism. I do think it's funny that people think socialism is evil because in reality, it's the only government style described in the bible. I think it worked for the church in Acts, but I'm not sure if I think it would completely work in the US. It is interesting how people think capitalism is some gift from God, because if anything, it is Darwinian.
I see what you're saying. I think we need to redefine what WE think of as the gospel.
i don't think there is anything scripturally wrong with the belief that 'taking care of those in need' should be left to the church and out of the hands of the government. this was my belief for a long time. there are many great followers who hold this belief and are actually taking on poverty within their churches.
a couple years ago, it hit me that conservative point of view was a nice thing and all, and in a perfect world would work, but for a couple reasons i came to believe that the government should have a huge role in this.
1) there is no one church, or group of churches that have near the amount of resources that the US government has. does this mean that the church should not be involved at all? by no means. it will take everyone doing their part to end things like aids, poverty, and global warming.
2) churches in our country are not doing their part. in James it says that "Religion.. is this: to look after orphans and widows..." I think this is an area that we are failing in. So if the government can play a part in this job, then by all means...
I view the 'worthiness test' of giving to the homeless an outgrowth of my view of Grace.
I am eternally grateful that Christ did not expect ME to be worthy of His Grace, and if being granted such wonderful forgiveness, how can I require a homeless person to be worthy of my 'grace'?
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