tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089503699567145307.post3258797628202987639..comments2024-03-23T01:43:17.038-07:00Comments on Diapers for Three: What kind of people worship here?Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06341791017562559274noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089503699567145307.post-65235839172357613792010-01-23T13:37:54.364-08:002010-01-23T13:37:54.364-08:00Thanks for the clarification, Russell. It seem we...Thanks for the clarification, Russell. It seem we be all on the same page, just making different points. Hopefully it was a edifying exercise for all, regardless.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05304447203229164663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089503699567145307.post-45433984671322690902010-01-23T09:13:51.527-08:002010-01-23T09:13:51.527-08:00Wanted to make sure we weren't commenting past...Wanted to make sure we weren't commenting past each other.<br /><br />I amen your argument that southern believers should have engaged in the civil rights movement using lawful protest.<br /><br />I don't want first southern church to be an anti-segregation church. And second southern church to be a pro-segregation church. Both are in horrible postions. The pro-segregation church is in gross sin. The anti-segregation church is in grave danger. <br /><br />King was a great civil rights leader and a failure as a minister.Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09896749252259621633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089503699567145307.post-65650153545558029532010-01-19T20:05:06.207-08:002010-01-19T20:05:06.207-08:00AmenAmenRussellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09896749252259621633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089503699567145307.post-80210775657811893842010-01-18T17:06:00.742-08:002010-01-18T17:06:00.742-08:00Russell, take a look at Websters..."church&qu...Russell, take a look at Websters..."church" has several different definitions, one of which is "the whole body of Christians." <br /><br />For the moment, put aside your objections to King's beliefs and methodology. That's not the most important issue here. The question posed by this blog post is "What kind of people worship here?" Your answer so far seems to be true Christians that were following a biblical methodology. These folks were able to conveniently ignore racism because they were instead focused on equipping the saints for the work of ministry.<br /><br />But it seems to me that this wasn't really happening. Faith without works is dead. Where were the works of the many Christians in the South who attended the many churches in the South? Shouldn't gospel proclamation and disciplemaking eventually impact real life? Shouldn't Christians in the South have been known for being different from the world?<br /><br />Could it be that Christians then, just like Protestants and Catholics in Haiti and elsewhere today, were 100% voodoo? (i.e. clinging to old, unbiblical superstitions)<br /><br />Show me a culture with many steeples where social ills are rampant, and I'll show you a weak church.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05304447203229164663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089503699567145307.post-88749539711230546662010-01-18T16:20:07.657-08:002010-01-18T16:20:07.657-08:00Certainly the methodology of how the church (body ...Certainly the methodology of how the church (body of Christ) is involved in these issues is up for discussion, yet at least in the letter that David quoted from, there was one pastor that King did commend. He did not commend him for breaking laws or picketing or making public statements against racism. He commended this pastor for welcoming blacks into his church along side of his white attendees. It is obvious that this simple act of love and unity was missing in many "churches".<br /><br />I'm not arguing for the church to be actively involving itself in and against government policy. I'm simply arguing that there is a "right and wrong" in all these issues and that Christians should be thinking biblically and acting accordingly... Not simply as society and government dictates. =) I know you guys are on the same page with that argument!Christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18174593422222645361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089503699567145307.post-12150497562491471082010-01-18T16:08:02.862-08:002010-01-18T16:08:02.862-08:00Not making a distinction between church and Christ...Not making a distinction between church and Christians is a dangerous mistake.<br /><br />The danger is most evident in Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy. He is among the greatest Americans who have ever lived and has no real public connection to Christ.<br /><br />A wonderful political legacy but a pretty pitiful ministerial legacy.<br /><br />Too often Christians act as if the bible doesn't speak to methods. It does. King's disappointment with the church is really an argument with God about the activity he wants the church engaged in.<br /><br />Abortion, adoption, homelessness, foster kids, and environmentalism are just a short list of causes that people would like to enlist the church in. The church should address those issues via the gospel and equipping the saints for the work of ministry. The more direct policy engagement that king envisioned is wrong.Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09896749252259621633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089503699567145307.post-69259428491140221002010-01-18T11:50:23.936-08:002010-01-18T11:50:23.936-08:00As Christina notes, the Bible does call Christians...As Christina notes, the Bible does call Christians to break some laws. But the civil disobedience debate isn't primarily what Martin Luther King is addressing in his criticism of church leaders here. Rather, it's the weakness of a church that ignores or rationalizes injustice but is quick to fault-find the methods of those who seek to challenge it. These Christians could have done a lot to challenge the status quo and love their black brothers and sisters without breaking a single law. Most did little or nothing.<br /><br />Those who love Christ should love as Christ did. Love is not limited to preaching on Sundays. That seems to be the point Martin Luther King, Jr. is making in this excerpt.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05304447203229164663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089503699567145307.post-31756099994330664082010-01-18T11:41:41.753-08:002010-01-18T11:41:41.753-08:00Russell -- yeah. David and I were talking about th...Russell -- yeah. David and I were talking about that this morning, too... and how of course, there would be a difference between breaking a law that required that one sin versus one that was simply a bad idea.<br /><br />Regardless of the breaking laws issue, there are many, many "Christians" who won't take a stand on "social" issues, and I believe that was the main part of the "food for thought." <br /><br />A dear friend of mine was pretty shell-shocked recently when realizing that there are local churches who refuse to take a side on the abortion issue, feeling that by stating that abortion is wrong would somehow damage their ability to love their attendees. It shows how off churches are today when making one feel comfortable is more important that reconciling one to God.<br /><br />And with that connection, when watching the "I have a dream" speech this morning, I couldn't help but long for an America that would reject abortion and stand side by side for freedom and justice for the unborn.<br /><br />May His will be done!Christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18174593422222645361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089503699567145307.post-72788109459670655002010-01-18T11:27:03.463-08:002010-01-18T11:27:03.463-08:00Not sure his theological argument is right. The g...Not sure his theological argument is right. The gospel definitely speaks to racial hatred and says it is sin and wickedness. I don't believe the bible calls Christians to break a bad law.Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09896749252259621633noreply@blogger.com