What are the great moral issues for Evangelical Christians?
Posted on March 7th, 2007 by catalyst into the Has James Dobson gone crazy? categoryThis is the question blogger Jim Wallis asks. He asks this question in response to James Dobson's letter criticizing the National Evangelical Association's fight against global warming. Dobson's letter states:
More importantly, we have observed that others are using the global warming controversy to shift the emphasis away from the great moral issues of our time, notably the sanctity of human life, the integrity of marriage and the teaching of sexual abstinence and morality to our children.
Wallis questions Dobson's assertion and asks:
Is the fact that 30,000 children will die globally today, and everyday, from needless hunger and disease a great moral issue for evangelical Christians? How about the reality of 3 billion of God’s children living on less than $2 per day? And isn’t the still-widespread and needless poverty in our own country, the richest nation in the world, a moral scandal? What about pandemics like HIV/AIDS that wipe out whole generations and countries, or the sex trafficking of massive numbers of women and children? Should genocide in Darfur be a moral issue for Christians? And what about disastrous wars like Iraq? And then there is, of course, the issue that got Dobson and his allies so agitated. If the scientific consensus is right - climate change is real, is caused substantially by human activity, and could result in hundreds of thousands of deaths - then isn’t that also a great moral issue? Could global warming actually be alarming evidence of human tinkering with God’s creation?
Wallis concludes:
So, today, I am inviting you to have that debate about what the great moral issues of our time really are. Again, let’s ask a leading evangelical university to invite us both and host a public debate, and perhaps ask a major evangelical publication to co-sponsor it. Let’s have that debate, Jim, and see what America’s evangelicals think the great moral issues of our time really are. How about it?
This could be PBC's shining moment in the sun.
(Thanks: Andrew Sullivan)
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March 7th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
I agree with Dobson. In my opinion, the church as we know it today, will not have control over these global issues. If we tried, we would be fighting a loosing battle, because we know how it will turn out in the end (see Revelations). Instead, we are reminded to PRAY for those who are suffering, remain steadfast in our faith, and continually look unto Jesus for the victory.
Also, I believe Brian McLaren, who is fighting for these issues, is a false prophet. He also advocates New Age contemplative spirituality, and it part of the ecumenical “Emerging Church” movement, just like Rick Warren is (author of Purpose Driven Life). These teachings are full of heresies, and I would warn everyone to stay AWAY from them. For more information, please visit: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com.
March 8th, 2007 at 7:27 am
Somehow, this all seems like a ‘red herring’ - so much of Christianity (churchianity) does, in fact … where did Jesus ever tell His followers to “fight against” the sin in a culture? Where did He ever tell people to champion the fight for the great moral issues of our time?
I am not insensitive to the needs of our world, people needing medical attention, food, shelter and protection, but why are these issues the church has to grapple with among the non-believing peoples of the world? Heck, the church can’t or won’t even take care of its own people with such needs.
In Kevin’s reply above, he sides with Dobson (the way I read Kevin’s post) that those are the important issues to the church, and seems to sweep aside the issues Mr. Wallis raises … Why? Do we ignore those issues because they are too far from home? Is it because Jesus said “You will always have the poor among you”, so ignore the problems brought about by poverty?
Jesus could just as easily have said “you will always have people who insist on the right to sin among you …” or “until I return, the people will always be governed by willful men who ignore My Word .” IF Jesus had said these things, would we turn a blind eye to abortion, homosexual marriage and promiscuity/fornication among teens?
Well, one of the very last commands in the NT reads:
What part of “LET HIM” don’t we understand? Jesus may as well have said “let sinners sin”, “let people follow the lusts of their hearts”, etc. The command for ‘him who has ears to hear’? That command is “WORSHIP GOD”.
So if the Church does what Jesus said, and let’s the world do as the world will do, i.e., SIN, how should the Church respond? Well, instead of “fighthing against” abortion in the worlds legal system, how about putting church resources into education and compassion ministries? Specifically, crisis pregnancy centers where counseling and assistance are provided, and unwed mothers, poor mothers, etc., are encouraged to keep their children, with REAL assistance from believers WHO PUT THEIR MONEY WHERE THERE MOUTHS ARE? Fighting the secular government over the abortion law is helps NO ONE - it’s a red herring - in fact, like so many issues faced by Christianity, it’s “one off” from actually working with people who need help. The church has a knack for working an “issue” to death without ever helping people. The church has become like the pharisees, who wouldn’t even help their own elderly parents because they declared their money to be “corban” (set aside for God’s use) and therefore tell their parents “sorry, I’m broke” … and so real people, who could use help from the church, are ignored, because the churches resources are tied up fighting the government, lobbying the public through the press, etc. The churches focus has become its own image, and not people.
I think the biggest “moral issue” facing the church today, is “heart disease” - specifically, the church has forgotten how to love, care for and help people. Fighting for rights? Championing causes? Wouldn’t it be better for all concerned, for the church to simply provide a loving and compassionate alternative to the sin sickness of the world?
Mr. Wallis has a valid point - WHY has churchianity seized on just 3 of dozens of moral issues? IF the church is supposed to be driven by moral issues / dilemmas of our time, how can they seemingly ignore so many of them while championing just 2-3 causes? There are more issues than the Church can face. Perhaps that is by God’s design? To teach the Church that it is better to rescue the drowning man, than try to build a dam on the river he’s drowning in so he can walk to safety?
March 8th, 2007 at 9:19 am
What part of “LET HIM” don’t we understand? Jesus may as well have said “let sinners sin”, “let people follow the lusts of their hearts”, etc. The command for ‘him who has ears to hear’? That command is “WORSHIP GOD”.
With an attitude like that, no one’s gonna cut you a check! Dobson figured that out long ago…
March 8th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Marketing has never been my strong suit, Chris. If it were, I’d be pastor.
March 8th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
And you wouldn’t have to give your cd’s away for free.
March 8th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
Locutus, you dirty dog! Shot me through the heart with that one!
So, you want some coffee coasters? Flashing disks to hang in your cherry tree to ward off the birds?!? Frisbees for little people? 