I think most christians are mistaught. Most churches emphasize either “Get them baptized and get them tithing” or “prosperity gospel”. It’s actually rare for a church to teach the realities of being a Jesus follower.
We were created as worshipers. People worship sports, music, ELECTIONS and a whole lot of other things. We are excellent at worshiping! The problem is the focus.
For most people they feel that the government and politics have more influence on them and more of a direct consequence to their daily lives than “God.” I am glad there some of us who understand that it is God who gets us through the day and He is the one who makes the things that we worry about.
So i pray that people will ask God instead of asking the government.
Its similar when you go to a sporting event or concert,people on on their feet, doing the wave, dancing, no inhibitions and then they go to church and have a difficult time in raising hands in worship..
Kind of Anonymous...so i dont get hit with your stones26 August 2008 at 9:29 am#
i bet if people went to elections every weekend THAT would change…
however, i would say Christ followers, believers in Jesus, WWJD bracelet wearers are more passionate.
“People” in general, well i think God would agree with you.
And i think Elections is on a long list of things and NEAR THE BOTTOM of that list of things that people place in front of there desire for Jesus.
if we went to Church once every 4 years….well then….
Sunday morning, my dad was watching a TV preacher who is usually right on the money. However, I was saddened and disgusted. He spent 20 minutes on the election and did not mention Jesus once. He did not preach salvation. He preached McCain. I felt physically ill thinking about that all the way to church.
Thank God the only time my pastor used the word “elections” was in the phrase, “My God is bigger than your elections!”
Question: Do you lead more people to Obama or McCain than you do to Jesus?
Amen times a million!! Or about sports. Or about a band in concert. Don’t you wish praise and worship was like an Aerosmith concert? Seriously!! I am with you all the way!!
Los! It is exactly my relationship with Him that makes me so passionate about who I choose and how my country is run. I personally don’t understand how a passionate Christian cannot care about it. That’s just me, though. It’s not a condemnation in any way of those who don’t care about politics. I just don’t get them that’s all.
I care about the poor, I care about racism, I care about things like abortion and taxes, and most of all I care about being lied to. I care that the ones crying “Liar!” are the actual liars because they affect how the poor and “downtrodden” are treated. I care that my freedom to proclaim the gospel is affected by who is in office and who makes the laws. Freedom is God’s gift. I am a steward of my freedom and the freedom of others. That freedom is being eroded in the political arena.
This is what politics is about. How can anyone proclaim Christ and not care about these things?
Amendment: Caring about politics does not exclude the other things. It’s not either politics or Jesus. My argument is that my love for God moves my concern for government. I don’t separate church and state (although I’m glad my government does, because that’s what gives me the freedom NOT to personally.)
Too much self-flagellation here. Condemning oneself for caring about sports, politics, whatever, is just a form of self-obsession. Condemning each other for it is, well, “condemnation”. John didn’t say “Condemn one another” (of course, I use the ESV so I don’t know…) Lighten up a little.
SHAME on you LES for not allowing people to self-flagellate, even if it causes your palms to grow hair.
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I agree if it wasn’t for Jesus I just wouldn’t give a shitster about anything. We should spend some time in Romans the next few months to see what the great apostle Paul said about the govenmunt.
Kind of Anonymous...so i dont get hit with your stones26 August 2008 at 6:05 pm#
christians more passionate about parenting? i guess that is directed at Christian parents right? Not singles or youth, they are omitted from that right?
parenting and politics, well actually, since more people voted for american idol…i think both of those are your world view and as you always make it clear – your opinion. “some” people who have lost their lives or spent there dieing breaths for the cause of Christ would maybe disagree…based on their world view.
mostly, generalizations are dangerous to make – but by all means, wish away!
If they did – we certainly wouldn’t be hearing all the negativity amoungst our candidates!!!! They’re might not even be different parties!!! Wow – what would THAT be like!?!?!?!?!
RAIN IT DOWN
AMEN!
Or sports or video games or Facebook or Apple products or the Zune (wait, scratch that last one…)
I couldn’t have said it better.
I wish the Christian church as a whole was as passionate about Jesus as politics. That is an overgeneralization. But I think you know what I mean.
or football – or cars – or iPhones & Macbooks – or Architecture (o.k., that’s not most people’s problem, but that’s mine).
I wish we seemed as excited at church/about Jesus as we are when at a concert, watching Georgia football, etc.
Its funny how we can get up in arms over a “party” but care little about the people down the street who are lost and lonely.
I think most christians are mistaught. Most churches emphasize either “Get them baptized and get them tithing” or “prosperity gospel”. It’s actually rare for a church to teach the realities of being a Jesus follower.
you could replace “elections” with anything, really. it is sad and WRONG. but i know i’m guilty.
I agree with that statement.
We were created as worshipers. People worship sports, music, ELECTIONS and a whole lot of other things. We are excellent at worshiping! The problem is the focus.
For most people they feel that the government and politics have more influence on them and more of a direct consequence to their daily lives than “God.” I am glad there some of us who understand that it is God who gets us through the day and He is the one who makes the things that we worry about.
So i pray that people will ask God instead of asking the government.
I believe passion is what makes us live out our beliefs! True Dat!
Guilty as charged. (Not all the time…but enough times…)
Selah.
Jesus ‘08. Someone with some creativity skillz should create that banner, I’d post it.
Mark, you can find some here: http://www.jesusforpresident.org/propaganda/index.html
i hear ya.
agreed.
peace|dewde
http://dewde.com
Amen…transformation of lives is only through Jesus Christ.
Actually, now that I think about it a bit more… if we could only worship Him once every 4 years it might look different.
Not saying it should or shouldn’t, just saying it might.
The intensity and passion is proportionate to the frequency.
peace|dewde
http://dewde.com
that;s something we can ALL agree on
Hah.
Its similar when you go to a sporting event or concert,people on on their feet, doing the wave, dancing, no inhibitions and then they go to church and have a difficult time in raising hands in worship..
i bet if people went to elections every weekend THAT would change…
however, i would say Christ followers, believers in Jesus, WWJD bracelet wearers are more passionate.
“People” in general, well i think God would agree with you.
And i think Elections is on a long list of things and NEAR THE BOTTOM of that list of things that people place in front of there desire for Jesus.
if we went to Church once every 4 years….well then….
Anonymous. I don’t know.
I tend to think that Christians are more passionate about politics and parenting than Jesus.
What kills is when people go “Beattles nuts” for politicians who they inevitably end up distrusting.
I follow politics and all… but it’s a whole lot of adoration for a faulty system
just sayin
Dave
maybe a part of it is that people “see” politics happening but dont “see” or feel Jesus.
i guess as a “supposedly” Christ rep, i am to blame as well…
Sunday morning, my dad was watching a TV preacher who is usually right on the money. However, I was saddened and disgusted. He spent 20 minutes on the election and did not mention Jesus once. He did not preach salvation. He preached McCain. I felt physically ill thinking about that all the way to church.
Thank God the only time my pastor used the word “elections” was in the phrase, “My God is bigger than your elections!”
Question: Do you lead more people to Obama or McCain than you do to Jesus?
Amen times a million!! Or about sports. Or about a band in concert. Don’t you wish praise and worship was like an Aerosmith concert? Seriously!! I am with you all the way!!
I wish people were as passionate about SOMETHING, ANYTHING like they are with all these celebrity politics.
Yes!
Yes!
Los! It is exactly my relationship with Him that makes me so passionate about who I choose and how my country is run. I personally don’t understand how a passionate Christian cannot care about it. That’s just me, though. It’s not a condemnation in any way of those who don’t care about politics. I just don’t get them that’s all.
I care about the poor, I care about racism, I care about things like abortion and taxes, and most of all I care about being lied to. I care that the ones crying “Liar!” are the actual liars because they affect how the poor and “downtrodden” are treated. I care that my freedom to proclaim the gospel is affected by who is in office and who makes the laws. Freedom is God’s gift. I am a steward of my freedom and the freedom of others. That freedom is being eroded in the political arena.
This is what politics is about. How can anyone proclaim Christ and not care about these things?
Amendment: Caring about politics does not exclude the other things. It’s not either politics or Jesus. My argument is that my love for God moves my concern for government. I don’t separate church and state (although I’m glad my government does, because that’s what gives me the freedom NOT to personally.)
Too much self-flagellation here. Condemning oneself for caring about sports, politics, whatever, is just a form of self-obsession. Condemning each other for it is, well, “condemnation”. John didn’t say “Condemn one another” (of course, I use the ESV so I don’t know…) Lighten up a little.
I’ve suggested this book on a comment before in regards to politics and Christians…. it seems appropriate again:
Myth of a Christian Nation- How the quest for political power is destroying the church. by Gregory Boyd
that’s an awesome quote los.
SHAME on you LES for not allowing people to self-flagellate, even if it causes your palms to grow hair.
/
/
/
I agree if it wasn’t for Jesus I just wouldn’t give a shitster about anything. We should spend some time in Romans the next few months to see what the great apostle Paul said about the govenmunt.
Well put, Les.
christians more passionate about parenting? i guess that is directed at Christian parents right? Not singles or youth, they are omitted from that right?
parenting and politics, well actually, since more people voted for american idol…i think both of those are your world view and as you always make it clear – your opinion. “some” people who have lost their lives or spent there dieing breaths for the cause of Christ would maybe disagree…based on their world view.
mostly, generalizations are dangerous to make – but by all means, wish away!
Ouch! Good one!
Preach it brotha’!!!!
If they did – we certainly wouldn’t be hearing all the negativity amoungst our candidates!!!! They’re might not even be different parties!!! Wow – what would THAT be like!?!?!?!?!
I wish I was as passionate about Jesus as I am about:
-Football Season
-New Release Tuesdays
-Pleasing My Boss
-Not Failing
-Commenting on Blogs
or blogs…
hmmm
u r soo right
i remember exactly what i was doing when i found out that Obama won Iowa and that biden was to be his VP running mate
sad
How about this one? I wish people were as passionate about Jesus as they are about their church?