That's a definite amen.
-
Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.
Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!
Racism and the Church
- Thread starter Gina B
- Start date
That's a definite amen.
No way ... that sounds more like you than any of us fat, white prejudice old men on the board! :smilewinkgrin:
Gina
Racism is first and foremost a sin against the Holy and righteous God. This is a fact that as Christians we all have to grapple with and decisively deal with.
As humans, there are only 2 races that exist. Those who have been brought into the right relationship with God through the crucified and risen Christ on the one hand and those who are strangers to this wonderful gift of salvation on the other hand. The former are forgiven and on their way to heaven whilst the latter are on their way to hell.
It is also important that we do not use racism to create divisions that God never intended to exist. As someone from African background, I have experienced my fair share of racism. I find it sad that I have experienced racism in the church as well.
What I find interesting is that racism is very prevalent in Arminian churches and I have found racism to be less common in churches that are reformed. I have fellow shipped in all sorts of churches (though I now fellowship at a very reformed church), ranging from Elim Pentecostal, to FIEC, Metropolitan Tabernacle and now my present church which shares very much in common with Metropolitan Tabernacle. I have found racism to be common in the Elim Pentecostal, less common among FIEC churches and non existent in the Metropolitan Tabernacle and my current church.
Finally, repeating my first comment, racism is a human issue, one of the results of the sin that was committed by our first parents in the garden of Eden. If the church cannot deal with it, then I do not believe that there is much hope for the world to deal with it.
Up to you.
I think it is more a matter that the truth hurts.
It is brass assumption to recognize that Democrat candidates pander to pro-choice voters? Homosexual voters?
You can't be a Bible-believing Christian and either ignore these issues or not see them as evil.
While we do not broad-brush these issues and take into consideration that there are people involved, and differing circumstances, it still remains true that it is easily recognizable that a vote for either side either supports or opposes these issues.
As concerning Zaac being a Baptist...this is just a legitimate question. In a thread we had a discussion in he seemed to deny being a Baptist.
Now, since you will not answer the questions I will make a brass assumption based on your response: you don't have a problem with abortion, homosexuality, and candidates and Presidents that openly state they don't have a problem putting children to death.
God bless.
Though it is perfectly acceptable for you to do long responses.
Certainly a double standard.
As far as the responses not saying anything...you know that's not true. That they said something is why you will not engage in discussion that hits too close to home.
God bless.
You paint a caricature of Christians as a whole based on the actions of a few radicals.
And the thought that dealing with racism from blacks has to wait until dealing with whites is ludicrous. Do we wait to deal with blacks before we minister to whites about sin?
It is a race problem, all right...the human race. It is a sin problem, and anyone, I mean anyone who places racial contention before contending with sin just doesn't get it. White and black preachers alike should not be advising, but demanding that their congregations conform to Biblical standards.
But go ahead...entertain yourself.
We should deal with racism just as we deal with any prejudice. The prejudices I have dealt with have come from many different races, including my own. And it is usually because I am a Christian with a definition to my beliefs and a readiness to confront what I see as error.
When it comes to openly hostile people, especially among those who profess Christ, it is absurd to entertain the notion that racism from anyone is acceptable in a Christian's heart.
If it's there...there's your plank.
We should all confront racism as a unified front...in Christ.
Expecting one side to get themselves straight first is about as ludicrous as the gospel your brother preaches.
"Jesus is the way, however..."
Guess the Lord didn't account for the Constitution, is that it?
It is because the god Mammon rules the lives of so many that economic growth and prosperity overshadow a legitimate obedience to God.
There is absolutely no way the false statistics of professing Christians can be seen in election results. It's okay that children die...as long as we have our "rights."
So...who is your neighbor?
Is the fact that people are stagnating in sin because they are caught up in Political Religion something the Body of Christ should be concerned about?
How does supporting racial contention, abortion, homosexuality, legalizing drugs...show concern for anyone but #1?
God bless.
Of course not, there are sincere believers among both groups.
However, what we are talking about is open support for damnable practices. Are you going to say that I am in error in saying that Democrat candidates openly advocate those things which we find to be in conflict with the Word of God?
If these issues take a back seat in favor of making sure one's party wins, then that is certainly a problem.
God bless.
Supporting abortion and homosexuality has nothing to do with one's Christianity?
Amazing.
Not really. Show me the democrat voter that is not aware that Democrat Candidates advocate the "rights" of pro-choice and homosexual voters.
Tell me how this is justified.
But that's right, no need to respond to the planky, lol.
This I agree with.
The primary issue with politics in relation to Christianity is that some get so caught up in it that they embrace Political Religion. That is all parties. Not just democrat, not just republican.
The real issues get diluted and forgotten in the struggle to support the Party.
But you can't vote for abortion and homosexuality and think it is pleasing to the Lord.
The truth is that most involved think they are good citizens as well as good Christians, but the doctrine for some is in conflict with the teachings of God's Word.
That is up for debate, of course, but good luck trying to justify these two definitive platforms of the Democratic Candidates.
Justify the policy of our current President, a man that has, on national television, admitted he is okay with killing his grandchildren so his daughters won't be punished."
God bless.
This is why, I believe, Obama is president.
People refusing to vote because there is something about the possible candidate they disagree with. With Romney...because he was a Mormon.
The fact is that the President of the United States is a worldly office. We aren't voting for a new Preacher, Pastor, or Deacon.
As of the last election a vote for the Republican candidate was definitely a vote against abortion, and perhaps the Homosexual Agenda as well.
No vote was a vote for Obama.
After the last loss there was talk of the Republican Party yielding to these central issues, at which time I too will refrain from voting, if that comes to pass. But for now I will vote Republican as long as the candidates stand firm on resistance to the evil that has been growing in our country for over three decades.
I have no allusions that one side is Christian, and the other is not, because as I said this is a worldly office. The Body of Christ should be unified in doctrine and separate from the world. The ministries we carry on go on regardless of the machinations of politics, these are separate and distinct functions we perform in the world. But that does not mean we have to, or should...bow out of something that impacts not just our country, but the world.
God bless.
Great post, and welcome to the forum. Sin is the central issue which seems to be forgotten. I appreciate you bringing that up.
God bless.
You are right that political affiliation has nothing to do with one’s Christianity…..but one’s Christianity should have much to do with one’s political affiliation. We are responsible for our actions, to include our vote, and that should be guided by “Christ in us.” I have always been amazed at the number of voices that segregate politics from faith. It is as if some have elevated politics and social issues above God, Who they strive to keep in a box – that is, they privately believe but that private belief does not transform their public life. Our faith should dictate our vote…and Bro Curtis is right. It is better to refrain from casting a vote than casting a vote against God.
Supporting a party who's platform is to slaughter unborn children is as far from Christian as one can get.
Well said, though I disagree that one should refrain from voting. Christian principles should, I feel, recognize that at the very least, regardless of whether there are other reasons we could not in good conscience vote for a candidate (and I don't see being a Mormon as a good reason, primarily because President is a worldly office, and the other side is openly hostile to God (meaning I can tolerate error better than open hostility), we can make an impact on these issues with that vote.
I was in favor of Herman Caine, a man who, on national television, sang Gospel Hymns (showed he was not ashamed of his faith even though we all know that kind of openness will lose many votes), and thought he might be the guy to help race relations. A sound businessman and a good role model as an industrious person.
But mud-slinging took him out. I would think we, as Christians, understand better than anyone the potential for sin in our lives and, not overlook his sin if the allegations were true, but understand it in a Christian understanding of sin.
God bless.
Good point. I believe that we vote for the platform...the ideologies behind the candidate...perhaps largely due to an inherent ignorance insofar as the genuineness of a politician’s character (and the fact that a “good” man can do bad things). Ultimately I believe that we support a platform that best represents godly values as long as that “best” choice is not ungodly. When I say that I believe it is sometimes best to refrain from casting a vote, it is when voting equates to participation in ungodliness. Rev gives a good example with the abortion issue. An uncast vote is not a silent voice when all choices represent open hostility to God (I don’t think we are there yet...BTW).
I think it goes without saying that behind the scenes we would probably find a level playing field despite the associated party, but there is the valid issue of what is Public to consider as well.
What I mean is that if those who oppose issues such as abortion, gay marriage, and really anything that is openly hostile to a Biblical worldview were not a public testimony for the specific reason that the Bible is the basis for that opposition...then the issues would then be left in the hands of the unregenerate.
It's not just a matter of saying "We're right and you are wrong," but a matter of saying "God is right and we are wrong." It is a matter of saying this is the will of God, not ours. Even among the unregenerate we will find those opposed to these issues, but not because God has made this clear (though indirectly I believe this to be the case (but try to get an atheist to admit that, lol)).
That is, I feel, something we have lost in this country in a broader perspective.
Heard a few days ago about a Pastor of a large southern church finding out two of his deacons were lovers (both men) and one of them was married. His reaction?
He demanded the married deacon make it right and...get a divorce.
See the problem there?
I don't want to be associated with an issue based on my opinion, or my right and wrong, but only associated with the Biblical Doctrine.
And again, when there is no party that openly stands in opposition to these issues but uses them also as a means of garnering votes, I will save myself the trip to the polls.
God bless.
Romney's Mormonism had nothing to do with it. I would vote for an atheist if he sounded like Tom Jefferson.
I voted Gary Johnson in the last election. The Libertarians will be a force, eventually.
Politics should never trump Jesus...it is evident that people here are obviously making a political system an idol over God.
Last edited by a moderator: