Pastor agrees with Michelle Obama: Christians should take a political stand
Last weekend, Michelle Obama encouraged churches to be bold in taking a political stand. [She] told the congregation of the African Methodist Episcopal Church… “To anyone who says that church is no place to talk about these issues, you tell them there is no place better — no place better….
Because ultimately, these are not just political issues – they are moral issues. They’re issues that have to do with human dignity and human potential, and the future we want for our kids and our grandkids.”
I agree with her…. Too many preachers are afraid to speak up, not just because they fear their church might lose its tax-exempt status but because some church members will protest, “You shouldn’t mix politics and religion,” and threaten to leave….
If the world sees us as being too political we avoid taking a stand on anything that sounds even remotely political, though the country is falling apart around us….
We’re so threatened by the world that we wind up letting the culture set our agenda….
John the Baptist didn’t worry much about being labeled too political. He boldly declared, “Herod, it’s not right for you to live with your brother’s wife.” Jesus did not say, “John, you’re getting into politics and that’s not our territory. You worry about the sins of those walking out of the Jordan River. Let the world be the world.” On the contrary, Jesus said, “No greater man was born to woman than John the Baptist.”
… [W]e need ministers to reverse the current trend, to be strong and courageous and so convinced the battle is the Lord’s that they will fear no evil.
~ Pastor Bob Russell of Bob Russell Ministries, commenting on the Church’s role in society, July 8
[HT: Eric Metaxas; graphic via pnwpatriot.blogspot.com]
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
How ironic that a vocal few of Mrs. Obama’s supporters share the belief that people who go to church should have no say in society… but in this case, Mrs. Obama is right. Too many people are afraid to talk about politics, not just in churches, but with family, at get-togethers, in other civil society groups, etc., yet many complain about Congress ad naseum and say they don’t feel “represented.” What a disconnect!
Then Michelle Obama added that only churches that share her viewpoints should speak up about politics.
It appears that in the eyes the Obamas, government subsidies and entitlements are Biblical values, while sexual morality and the sacredness of life are not.
Sounds good, Rev. Russell, but are you supporting or opposing Obama and his anti-Religious freedom, tyrant-government, baby-killing agenda? Hard to tell from this quote.
Michelle Obama didn’t finish her statement.
“They’re issues that have to do with human dignity and human potential, and the future we want for our kids and our grandkids, the ones we don’t murder in the womb, that is.”
She is as blind as a (ding)bat.
Sounds good, Rev. Russell, but are you supporting or opposing Obama and his anti-Religious freedom, tyrant-government, baby-killing agenda? Hard to tell from this quote.
And that would be why there is a link to the full blog at the bottom of the quote.
P.S. – since I read the blog, I know that this gentleman opposes those things you mentioned.
It’s so refreshing to hear this come from a pastor. While I don’t believe that the church as an institution should control the government, I do believe that Christians ought not only be keenly aware of what is happening politically and culturally around them, but to speak out about it. How else are we to shape the culture?
This is true of Christians and non-Christians alike. Too many people are too timid to discuss politics anywhere, to decry the culture around families and friends. But why not start with the people you love? For too long, we have been muzzled by our own fear of being ostracized. And look where it’s lead us! To a culture where women are lied to, babies are killed, families are broken, our country is in historic amounts of debt.
This is quite possibly one of the only times I’ve agreed with something coming out of Michelle Obama’s mouth… Wow. :) But hey, truth can come from the most unexpected places sometimes, you know?
“Michelle Obama encouraged churches to be bold in taking a political stand.”
‘Unless that stand is conservative in witch case *@$# you!’
U-104 –
She has no idea what she’s unleashed! Maybe she’s so out of touch that she doesn’t realize that the majority of those in church don’t agree with her pro-abortion, nanny-state agenda. Haha.
“witch case”
wow just noticed my own freudian slip there LOL.
I’ve always admired parts of the Catholic church – they will tear down Obama based on birth control mandates, and then tear down Paul Ryan’s budget plan as being harsh to those who are vulnerable in society.
I think the keys are:
– Devotion #1 is to the Lord and to the Word – not to a political party
– Remember that some issues are matters of salvation, and some things, Christians can be on both sides of the aisles, respectfully disagreeing, and it isn’t fundamental to salvation.