Posted on 08/16/2023 1:32:11 AM PDT by Cronos
- Russell Moore was a top official at the nation's largest Protestant denomination. - Now editor-in-chief of Christianity Today, Moore tells NPR that Christianity is in "crisis." - Evangelicals are asking pastors if teachings from Jesus are "liberal talking points," Moore said.
.. believes Christianity in America is in "crisis" after seeing how politics influence evangelicalism's teachings.
Russell Moore, the former president of SBC's policy arm, recently shared his concerns with NPR about the future of Christianity in the US and how tribalism and politics are bleeding into the religion.
He said "multiple pastors" have told him the "same story" about being approached and questioned after their preachings on the Sermon on the Mount, one of the more popular teachings from the Gospel of Matthew that, among other lessons, teaches people to "turn the other cheek."
Moore told NPR that pastors are being asked, "Where did you get those liberal talking points?"
"And what was alarming to me is that in most of these scenarios, when the pastor would say, 'I'm literally quoting Jesus Christ,' the response would not be, 'I apologize,'" Moore told NPR. "The response would be, 'Yes, but that doesn't work anymore. That's weak.' And when we get to the point where the teachings of Jesus himself are seen as subversive to us, then we're in a crisis."
Moore said the problem partly stems from how "almost every part of American life is tribalized and factionalized," including the church.
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I think that the roots of the political problem really come down to disconnection, loneliness, sense of alienation. Even in churches that are still healthy and functioning, regular churchgoing is not what it was a generation ago, in which the entire structure of the week was defined by the community.
(Excerpt) Read more at insider.com ...
Christ was a Torah observant Jew. He was not a liberal and liberals are not Christians.
In addition, Christianity also rejects expansive interpretations with a Lefty twist. For example, 2 Thessalonians 3:10 urges, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you: that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”
When in history was the sermon on the mount not controversial? When was anything Jesus said not upsetting to our world views?isn’t that the point?
This is not about controversial as in challenging the world. This is about doctrine and understanding God’s word, preventing the corruption, twisting God’s word for evil.
The church is indeed called to present Gods word accurately
Ephesians 4:11-14
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.read more.
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
Moore tells these stories without attribution or detail. He is an editor of a once great magazine, founded by Billy Graham, that has turned to the left.
Christianity Today is not a solid magazine anymore, just like National Review cannot be trusted all the time. There are still good material that can be gleaned but one must be VERY careful.
I would not believe anything Russell Moore says.
Gee, how queer is that? The Washington Post -- logo behind Moore -- didn't bother to ask his view of Romans 1.
From which elements is tribalization coming, and factions forming? Answer, in part: from those same "Christians" who wrote and recite the "sparkle creed."
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The Bible should change the way people think. People should not try to change the Bible to the way they think.
Matthew 10:34-36 NASBS
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. [35] For I came to set A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; [36] and a MAN’S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD.
As the demonic insanity inside the supposed "Christian" family, "Apostate Incursion: ‘Pastor’ Says She ‘Felt God's Presence’ While Aborting Her Two Children," Harbinger's Daily, 15 August 2023.
Even the term "Christian" is become a dull instrument when the "pastor" -- as above -- not only does but then makes apologia for such sin.
I agree. The key is what is accurate. When I prepare a sermon I try to be keenly aware of my biases, the influence of our culture on my thoughts, the beliefs and biases of those listening to me, etc.
The ultimate goal for my preaching is scripture is supposed to challenge our worldly views and transform them to Godly views. A renewing of our minds.
Some questions in preparation include what have the various commentators said about the meaning over the ages, what is the meaning of key words in the original language, what focus is the Holy Spirit calling me to for this specific day and people, how can people relate to it in today, how is this scripture relate to the overall good news that as sinners we have a savior in Jesus Christ because of our faith and not our works,
Being “accurate “ is difficult. Being accurate and transform ing is impossible without the Holy Spirit.
From the same guy who worked for a Democrat politician.
It is inevitable that the last domino to fall is Christianity. It stands in their way. So they must change the narrative to accept their ways. I’d argue they’ve largely succeeded already. Many churches around me are all BLM / LGBTQ...the Church of England has gone full leftist, trans and drag queens.
Mathew 5:19-20.
Let me guess — you’re a big fan of Moore.
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