PCUSA Minister Calls FBC Dallas Choir Number Blasphemy

[InTheLight]

No, we will sing them at Church around July 4th and Memorial day.

Bothers me that we sing songs in church praising the USA, a country with legalized gay marriage, legal abortion, relaxed attitudes to drug use and alcohol use, easy divorce laws, removal of God from the public square, etc.

I think it's about time our churches stop singing the praises of a nation so out of step with God.

Sent from my Motorola Droid Turbo.

 

[Reynolds]

Too bad. But, I am glad I don't attend your church. God is not a US citizen.
I have noted on mission trips that no churches have ever sung patriotic songs during their services. Not once have they gloried in their nation when they are worshipping God. It seems to be a prideful thing we Americans do. It seems that we imagine God sees the US as the center of His universe. Such pride makes me shake my head.

I am equally glad you don't go to our church.

 

[MennoSota]

I am equally glad you don't go to our church.

Yes, I would likely cast out the sellers in the Temple...

 

[FollowTheWay]

If this song was performed in a church which it looks like it was or represented as coming from our religious beliefs, I would agree that it's blasphemy. It's one of the best examples why combing religion and politics is such a destructive thing. Destructive to which one? Our faith and the church.

 

[Reynolds]

Yes, I would likely cast out the sellers in the Temple...

Remove the plank from your own eye and you can then work on the saw dust in ours.

 

[rsr]

It was NOT at a church - it was a secular event.

One sponsored by First Baptist Dallas and an evangelical broadcasting company.

Trump Vows to Support and Defend Religious Freedom in US

 

[Revmitchell]

Why would any choir sing a song based on a campaign slogan?

I think it is a problem

But I guess that's what passes for "worship" these days.

By whom, this one church, let's not blow this out of porprotion.

Don't ask for forgiveness, for mercy, for God's provision in the midst of our sinfulness. Don't ask to be a light to the nations or a refuge.

Do you have any evidence they never do these things? Are you basing it solely on the singing of this song?

 

[rsr]

By whom, this one church, let's not blow this out of porprotion.

This is not First Baptist Church of Bugtussle. This is one of the largest churches in the convention, the church of Herschel Hobbes and J.W. Criswell.

Do you have any evidence they never do these things? Are you basing it solely on the singing of this song?

Of course I don't. I surmise that the choir has sung any number of "patriotic" anthems. But when the First Baptist Church choir and orchestra performs in its highest-profile event ever and it chooses this song ...

 

[Revmitchell]

This is not First Baptist Church of Bugtussle. This is one of the largest churches in the convention, the church of Herschel Hobbes and J.W. Criswell.



Of course I don't. I surmise that the choir has sung any number of "patriotic" anthems. But when the First Baptist Church choir and orchestra performs in its highest-profile event ever and it chooses this song ...

And?????

 

[rsr]

If it doesn't bother you, hey; go with it. If you think it's appropriate for a church to sponsor what was in effect a Trump rally and gush about his campaign slogan, go ahead. Not my church that's chosen to go down this path. They love Jeffress and they're welcome to him.

 

[HankD]

Reminds me of a Christian fiction I read recently, "My Imaginary Jesus: The Spiritual Adventures of One Man Searching for the Real God"
Here's a section:

Rob

This struck a harmonic chord in me Rob.

Thanks
HankD

 

[Revmitchell]

If it doesn't bother you, hey; go with it. If you think it's appropriate for a church to sponsor what was in effect a Trump rally and gush about his campaign slogan, go ahead. Not my church that's chosen to go down this path. They love Jeffress and they're welcome to him.

I didn't say any of that. Whether I disagree with this event or not I do not assume the worst about them as if they never "ask for forgiveness, for mercy, for God's provision in the midst of our sinfulness. Don't ask to be a light to the nations or a refuge."

I am sure they love the Lord and are just wrong on this issue. I was simply asking what evidence did you have to make such a claim about them because putting on this event does not prove nor even suggest your accusation was remotely true.

 

[rsr]

This is not a one-off. I'm sure they sing many wonderful songs. We weren't talking about all the wonderful songs they do sing.

They had a high-profile appearance (paid for by the church) and chose to include a campaign song. Anyone who's followed Jeffress' career can testify that he considers that Christianity is coterminal with his political beliefs.

 

[Revmitchell]

This is not a one-off. I'm sure they sing many wonderful songs. We weren't talking about all the wonderful songs they do sing.

They had a high-profile appearance (paid for by the church) and chose to include a campaign song. Anyone who's followed Jeffress' career can testify that he considers that Christianity is coterminal with his political beliefs.

You are missing the point. You made the accusation that they "Don't ask for forgiveness, for mercy, for God's provision in the midst of our sinfulness. Don't ask to be a light to the nations or a refuge"

I asked how you knew this to be true. You have yet to provide anything at all to support this.

 

[rsr]

You are the one missing the point. What we're discussing is the anthem they sang at the Trump rally. It had none of what I mentioned. That is undeniable. That's what we're talking about.

Whether the choir sang other songs at other times is neither here nor there. I never said the choir never sang other songs. Were talking about is a specific event, not what the choir might have sung on Sunday mornings. This is not rocket science.

 

[MennoSota]

Remove the plank from your own eye and you can then work on the saw dust in ours.

Yep...coming from the guy who worships his country in church...that's rich.

 

[MennoSota]

According to the OP - this concert was :
at the “Celebrate Freedom Rally” at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The piece is titled: 'Make America Great Again.'"

It was NOT at a church - it was a secular event.

Sounds like a secular choir should have sung it.

 

[Reynolds]

Yep...coming from the guy who worships his country in church...that's rich.

Celebrates, not worships.

 

[HankD]

OK America as a nation has sinned, seems just like people, nations sin.

IMO No one actually "worships" their nation that I know of but I agree that patriotic songs are best kept out of the local churches,

In church:
Pray for America (e.g. An awakening) - absolutely.
Pray for Russia ibid. - absolutely.
Pray for China ibid. - absolutely.
...
etc, etc

HankD

 

[MennoSota]

Celebrates, not worships.

Not really a difference when you lift it up on the altar.