conjectural navel gazing; jesus in lint form

more on politics and faith

I read Christianity Today. Yes, it is true. It is my way to open myself to the thinking of those with whom I sometimes disagree. The magazine is much more conservative in reputation than I find it to be in actuality. Though still more conservative than I on some issues, I find it to be a good read.

So, this morning I was paging through the recent issue and found one or two interesting articles and columns on politics and faith. It is interesting to see how even this conservative magazine is being pushed around. I must send a letter of appology to the editors. I seem to have slandered them from time to time.

Both of these quotes fund their way into the "Reflections" feature.

I don't want to see religious bigotry in any form. It would disturb me if tehre was a wedding between the religious fundamentalists and the political right. The hard right has no interest in religion except to manipulate it. - Billy Graham in Parade (1981)

And...

The separation of church and state does not require banishing moral and religious values from the public square. In fact, America's social fabric depends on such values and vision to shape our politics - adependence the founders recognised...God is always personal, but never private. - Jim Wallis, God's Politics

And perhaps my favorite...

That cannot br a true religion which needs carnal weapons to uphold it. - Roger Williams, The Bloody Tenant of Persecution

I find the inclusion of these three quotes encouraging. For me it means that the gulf between liberal and conservative American evangelicalism is perhaps not as wide as I imagined. These are excellent quotes for reflection. They are presented in the magazine without comment. Lovely.

Here is a link to one article worth reading. It is about the "political priorities" of Christians. It is interesting to say the elast to have Neuhaus and Hauerwas quoted in the same article in agreement with the other.

George W. Bush is not Lord. The Declaration of Independence is not an infallible guide to Christian faith and practice. Nor is the U.S. Constitution, nor the U.N. Universal Declaration on Human Rights. "Original intent" of America's founders is not the hermeneutical key that will guarantee national righteousness. The American flag is not the Cross. The Pledge of Allegiance is not the Creed. "God Bless America" is not the Doxology.

Sometimes one needs to state the obvious—especially at times when it's less and less obvious.

And, just for kicks, beyond the extended link is another article about W's speech to the SBC gathering. I am off for more group work. I hope you all have a great day!

Bush highlights CBF church in speech to Southern Baptists

By Analiz González

ORLANDO, Fla. (ABP) -- President George W. Bush mistakenly praised a church affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship during a speech to the Southern Baptist Convention June 21.

College Park Baptist Church in Orlando, Fla., sent money to the SBC from 1928 to January 2004 but now affiliates with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, which is composed largely of Baptist churches opposed to the SBC's rightward shift.

In thanking Southern Baptists for their support of his controversial
faith-based initiatives, Bush lauded the Orlando church as an example of a "faith-based charity" receiving government funding. "For example, my administration awarded College Park Baptist Church in Orlando, Fla., $5.8 million to build 68 homes for seniors," Bush said in his live satellite address.

The Southern Baptist Convention has backed away from doing social ministry in recent years. Ironic? College Park pastor Ron Crawford thinks so.

"The SBC has been moving away from social ministries, and I think they may have something to learn in that regard," Crawford said. But he predicted, "Bush's mistake is not likely to change their ways."

Crawford said he is not offended by Bush's reference and he hopes Bush is focused on issues weightier than whether or not College Park Baptist sends money to the SBC.

"I am proud the President had good things to say about our church and
ministry," Crawford said.

The church received government money for its social ministries beginning 22 years ago, long before Bush's faith-based initiatives, Crawford noted.

Crawford said the church's staff has had fun with the new notoriety and with a call from the White House. He joked that the secretary who
answered the call from the White House thought someone was calling from "the white house across the street."

Posted by tripp at June 23, 2005 12:34 PM