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An Opposing Viewpoint: Conquering Fear in the Church

Orginally published on Friday, January 14, 2005 at 8:15 AM
by Todd Rhoades

Every once in a while, it’s good to read something from someone who maybe comes from a different perspective than you. This is the case with this article, written by Bishop Yvette Flunder, featured recently in the San Francisco Gate. I find it interesting to read different viewpoints, even if they are far different than mine. She writes this article on the major TV networks refusing to air the new pro-inclusion (homosexual) ad produced by the United Church of Christ. Read this article, then comment, if you like, on what she has to say. Does she have any valid points? Do any of you agree?…

I'll start. My perspective is that it all comes down to 'hate the sin; love the sinner'. If you believe (as I do) that the Bible condemns homosexuality; then telling gay people that they can live in proper relationship with God and be a practicing homosexual is wrong. That does not mean that I am not to be compassionate and love the homosexual as a person who has just as much value to God as I do. Probably in that context, the church HAS failed.

Oh well... just my 2 cents worth... I'd love to hear yours, after you read this...

As pastor of City of Refuge United Church of Christ, I view the CBS and NBC rejection of our denomination's TV spots as a conflict of political and spiritual values, and yet another example of how the church is being reformed again, all around us.

In fact, we are in a new Reformation. Open your eyes; take a look. The leadership of the Christian church has become more concerned with institutional and political strength than the needs of the people. They have created two kinds of Christianity: one official, one real.

Official Christians have official Christian bumper stickers, CDs, key chains, bookmarks, signals, sins and a Christian look, a serious official Christian look (they don't grin a lot). There is even a "Christian vote" to identify voter preference in election day exit polling.

What does the real Christianity do? It feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, shelters the homeless and comforts the afflicted. It loves them that hate you.

It's time to change. Today, Christians find their religious beliefs defined by hateful rhetoric, a redefinition of "moral values" and creation of a very real atmosphere of fear. Christianity is becoming the most intolerant, exclusive religion of all time. We say we know Christ, yet we can't stand one another. Christianity is leaning, and it needs to right itself.

Two thousand years ago a charismatic preacher from Nazareth said things like, "The meek will be exalted and inherit the earth," and "Love them that curse you." He said, "When you see them in need of a coat when they are cold, take yours off and give it to them." Also: "Care for the widows and the homeless and the elderly and those in prison."

Could there be a starker contrast between what he said and those who fuel an atmosphere of fear of minorities from a largely racist, homophobic and anti- Muslim religious right? Those people of faith who believe peace is the alternative to war are out shouted down by the "fearful faithful" who cannot believe God can bring peace by any other means but war. Religious leaders, afraid of losing credibility, supporters and resources, weakened the voice of the justice community by failing to speak out publicly.

The church is leaning. Something is wrong. We are at a crossroads and the time has come to take a stand. I have seen people afraid to speak out against the unjust war in Iraq, against homophobia, against assault weapons, against homeland security or anything else the Bush administration supports. The marginalized have not had a voice in much of the recent political fray, because we continue to be separated by our areas of concern.

We need to come together, connect and find strength in our common reality of political powerlessness. We need to find our voice, and then join the choir of people working for the rights of all people. I want to encourage speaking out by declaring we will not be ruled by fear. It is time to get angry, because what is happening is wrong. It is not negotiable, it is wrong. Excluding people from the inclusive love of Jesus and from the inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is not debatable; it is wrong. We must have the same determination our forebears had when they sang the lyrics: "And before I'll be a slave, I'll be buried in my grave and go home to my Lord and be free."

Your thoughts?

Have a great weekend!

Todd

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TRACKBACKS: (0) There are 5 Comments:

Posted by

Friday, January 14, 2005 at 10:29 AM

Very interesting. Just a couple of observations.
1.) I have viewed the commercial in question and althouhg I do not necessarily agree with the theology, I did not find it offensive.
2.) The authors bias is evedent in “or anything else the Bush administration supports.” Is her concern about the actions of the church, or is it because many within the church have supported teh current administration?
3.) She is very correct in some of her views of the church today. We spend millions of dollars and huge amounts of time and energy on things that don’t further the Kingdom of God. If the church would rise up and feed the poor, clothe the naked, and comfort the sick, we would not need to worry about who is in the white house.
Posted by Bernie Dehler

Friday, January 14, 2005 at 12:47 PM

We now say:
“ ‘hate the sin; love the sinner’. “

Love them into hell? Jesus and the early Church said to “turn or burn.” Yes, we need to love everyone, even our enemies, but many have gone too far, and accepted immoral behavior. We need purity, and it needs to start in the Church (church, the body (people) of Christ, not the building...).

Matthew 5:29
If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

Jude 1:22-23
22Be merciful to those who doubt; 23snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear–hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

...Bernie
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/247
Posted by Todd Rhoades

Friday, January 14, 2005 at 1:09 PM

Bernie said,

We need purity, and it needs to start in the Church (church, the body (people) of Christ, not the building...)

Thought that’s what I said!

But ‘turn or burn’ (that doesn’t sound loving at all); or ‘God hates fags’ gets nobody anywhere.

Doesn’t there have to be a balance?: Don’t condone the sin, by any means; but also be positive in our approach that they need a Savior too?

For example, you don’t get many people to consider a diet if you call them a fat slob. (Glutteny is a sin as well, I believe)

Todd

Todd
Posted by

Friday, January 14, 2005 at 3:20 PM

The author said, “We need to come together, connect and find strength in our common reality of political powerlessness.”

--Really? The church wasn’t designed to be a political entity. Who cares about “political powerlessness” when the church for the most part needs to deal with its spiritual powerlessness.

Again, the author said, “We need to find our voice, and then join the choir of people working for the rights of all people. I want to encourage speaking out by declaring we will not be ruled by fear.”

-- Correct. We shouldn’t be ruled by fear. We should be ruled by love, and lovingly confront EVERY sinner that God loves them, but if they don’t repent and turn to Christ He will send them to hell. That is not a fearful response, it is a fact.

Again, “It is time to get angry, because what is happening is wrong. It is not negotiable, it is wrong. Excluding people from the inclusive love of Jesus and from the inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is not debatable; it is wrong. We must have the same determination our forebears had when they sang the lyrics: ‘And before I’ll be a slave, I’ll be buried in my grave and go home to my Lord and be free.’”

-- I am angry at how Satan has so deceived this brother. I am angry that this gentleman believes that to tell people they are sinners in need of a Savior is to somehow “exclude people from the inclusive love of Jesus.” Yes, Jesus loves me, but He loves me enough that He died for me, and became sin for me, so that I could turn from my sin, and experience the real depths of His love.

I refuse to be a slave to the political correctness that now grips our nation and keeps Christians from speaking out because of fear. I will shout it from the rooftops that Jesus loves EVERYONE, but He will not, does not, condone their sin. Jesus saves, and He CAN save YOU should be our message. Not, we will accept you and your sin, and never tell you the truth that you need to repent and change.

That entire article was pseudo-spirtiual garbage.
Posted by

Monday, January 17, 2005 at 6:22 PM

No one can exclude a person from the love of Christ except himself. Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life” It is by obeying the written word of God and beleiving in Jesus Christ and what He accomplished for us in calvary that we are set free to to pursue life, liberty and happiness, but this freedom is not a license to sin. Unrepentant sin has a debt to pay and it’s wages is death. Abortion is murder, Homosexuality is wrong and those who continue to accept these sins will pay a price when they stand before the white throne judgement of our loving God who made a way of escape for those who are repentant.

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Hi... I'm Todd Rhoades. I'm a Christ-follower, husband, father and I love to connect leaders with other leaders. Hopefully you'll find something here at MMI you like and will return often. If you want, you can find out more about me or follow my every step on Twitter.