tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post3135838837634697529..comments2023-05-11T08:00:50.001-05:00Comments on A Glass Darkly: Hopeful contentment in a politicized worldDenis Haackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04401098607183612613noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-69699127509449602152013-05-08T12:35:38.858-05:002013-05-08T12:35:38.858-05:00Eileen:
Sad when jokes are so poignant that they m...Eileen:<br />Sad when jokes are so poignant that they make us laugh, and then be sad...<br />DenisDenis Haackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04401098607183612613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-86337752406407530132013-05-06T10:25:56.598-05:002013-05-06T10:25:56.598-05:00Anonymous:
Thanks for writing a clarification: tha...Anonymous:<br />Thanks for writing a clarification: that’s always helpful, especially when communication is via email where misunderstanding is easy.<br /><br />“The gospel is going to question,” Tim Keller correctly insists, “every culture at its root.” At present in America, as Keller also points out, neither political party adequately captures a Christian or biblical social ethic (see “Faith & Politics,” video of Keller online at http://bigthink.com/videos/tim-keller-on-faith-and-politics).<br /><br />Orthodox Christianity is pro-life and is supportive of civil rights for minorities for precisely the same reason: every person is created in God’s image. It also requires us to care for the earth because, as Scripture record, we were created to “care” for the earth (Genesis 2:15) and “the earth is the Lord’s” (Psalm 24:1). To misuse and mistreat his good gift of creation is to hold the Creator in disdain. (The basics of the biblical teaching on this can be found in Francis Schaeffer’s Pollution and the Death of Man.) You are also mistaken about the future of the earth. The fire that is promised is God’s purifying judgment to prepare for the new earth and new heavens. For a careful study of all the relevant biblical texts see Wim Rietkirk’s Millenium Fever and the Future of this Earth (available as a free e-book on our web site: http://www.ransomfellowship.org/publications/MilleniumFeverPDF.pdf).<br /><br />One final thing: When we disagree with anyone, including a fellow Christian, we must do so with civility and care. This is what the love described in 1 Corinthians 13 requires. If we disagree, neither should claim to be able to read the other’s heart—an ability restricted to God alone—and assert that they fail to fear God and instead seek to appease the world. We cannot know this, it is a failure to love, and it does not allow for conversation and learning to continue.<br /><br />DenisDenis Haackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04401098607183612613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-51835142706981212012013-04-30T14:28:00.958-05:002013-04-30T14:28:00.958-05:00Anonymous:
American political conservatism include...Anonymous:<br />American political conservatism includes some traits and goals that are admirable: it has been pro-life, for example, and respects religious tradition. In other areas, in contrast, it has embraced things that are woefully below the standard of Scripture: for example in caring for the earth and the civil rights movement.<br /><br />I would urge you to read David Koyzis' book, <i>Political Visions and Illusions</i>, for a careful biblical study of political ideology.<br /><br />Thanks for commenting<br />DenisDenis Haackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04401098607183612613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-27029440181588332842013-04-30T13:58:05.613-05:002013-04-30T13:58:05.613-05:00You have it wrong.
To preach and live the gospel ...You have it wrong.<br /><br />To preach and live the gospel of Jesus Christ will result in being labeled as a political conservative by the world. As Jesus told his disciples, the world will hate you. <br /><br />Do you fear man or do you fear God?<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-28242234150259771352013-04-25T22:18:43.731-05:002013-04-25T22:18:43.731-05:00Thanks Denis! I am in a coffee shop right now that...Thanks Denis! I am in a coffee shop right now that has this joke gum that shows a person puking and it says: Help, I kissed a Republican (and one from Democrats too). A joke...but a little too close to what we think at times.<br />Eileenogormehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17595887377638440729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-20489317216515367952013-04-24T14:08:48.260-05:002013-04-24T14:08:48.260-05:00Thank you, Becky W.
I appreciate your taking the t...Thank you, Becky W.<br />I appreciate your taking the time to comment.Denis Haackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04401098607183612613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578496623140464256.post-693767926579874702013-04-24T14:07:40.019-05:002013-04-24T14:07:40.019-05:00Thank you Denis for the good word. Much needed in ...Thank you Denis for the good word. Much needed in this day when most everything is politicized. It is draining on the soul and hopeful reminders like this are needed! Becky Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02443660817664328036noreply@blogger.com