Comments on: Why Political Conservatism is Dangerous to the Gospel

By: Jonathan McIntosh

Jonathan McIntosh — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:04:44 +0000

Fred – that’s fair. This post & my concern is more about political dogmatism in general than conservatism specifically.

The reason I called out conservatism – (even as a conservative) – is that where we are – Tupelo, MS or even Cordova, TN is that the Church (generally) has adopted conservative politics wholesale. Many now look to their voting record as evidence that you are a true Christian.

By: fred

fred — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:30:08 +0000

Good point Teresa!

Wondered why pick on Conservatism?

Seems like any affiliation could have been substituted in your rationale. Better argument might have been:

“Why Political DOGMATISM is Dangerous to the Gospel?

By: Teresa

Teresa — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:19:42 +0000

I would partially agree with Robert. We do need to be careful that any world system is not our God – and cigarettes and liquor stores are also prominant in communist countries – so no fault of conservatism. As Christians however, we do need to fight against that which is at least the greater evil while we live in a society that allows us to freely do so. I think in that we can at least be salt. “Spreading the wealth”, providing entitlement programs and taking care of everyone may sound like a good thing – but what it really does is demoralize people. It robs them of the inner sense of responsibility, integrity, ingenuity and in essence, life. Those who vote for social programs “to help the needy” do not recognize their own God given responsibility – not the governments – to care for the needy. If you have ever been to post communist countries or a developing country, I can only say that to do so will cause you to see the importance of remaining free of government controls on life as much as possible. So do as Jesus commanded – care for the poor and needy, and utilize the freedoms you have to keep them – before you lose them.

By: robert

robert — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:35:57 +0000

Conservatism, like liberalism is a form of idolatry and a religion unto itself. I believe it was Francis Schaeffer who once said that “conservative humanism is no better than liberal humanism.” He was right. Patriotism in extreme form is a form of idolatry. The Bible definitely makes the case for Christians to practice a form of capitalism, but to conclude that the gross materialism promoted at a shopping mall is a Bibilical model for economics is puching things considerably. Likewise, when in inner city neighborhoods, I see cigarette advertisements consistently and numerous liquor stores. These forms of capitalism are follwing the dictates of the free market, but they are still an abomination. Am I suggesting that Christians advocate socialism as an antecdote? No, not at all, but I am suggesting that Christians be aware of the traps of any worldly philosophy, including those that are based on conservative thought.

By: Joshua Smith

Joshua Smith — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:03:01 +0000

Heads up for the table-turn: when you come to Midtown Memphis, “these parts” will be very liberal.

By: Kirk

Kirk — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:52:30 +0000

Personally, I think a lot of liberals have made idols out of Obama. All you have to do is look at the Change and Hope bumper stickers and banners throughout the 2008 election and beyond in Leninist colors. There was this naive notion that Obama could come in messiah faction and simply fix all the country’s problems without him ever giving any details on how this would work. As we can see now, the office of presidency is complicated and an idol was made out of Obama in which he could not live up to in office. Fact is, political idolism is on the left and the right. It might be hip to hit on conservative, “legalistic” Christians. But there are “moral relativist,” liberal Christians like Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson and Barack Obama that are just as problematic.

By: robert

robert — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:22:33 +0000

I wish that born again believers would get as worked up over thousands of children starving to death each day (worldwide) as they do over a Ten Commandments display being taken off of a public wall or whether God’s name is evoked on a piece of currency. Have you ever heard of anyone coming to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior because they read “In God We Trust” on a dollar bill? These types of religious displays amount to nothing more than civil religion, and the actually cheapen the Gospel message.

By: Alex

Alex — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:44:19 +0000

I agree completely. This is why I won’t go to some churches. I’d be more conservative, but a lot of conservatives hate and stereotype other people. I’d be more liberal, but a lot of liberals hate me and stereotype me.

The real danger, like you said, is when people let their politics get in the way. Liberal Christians do this as much as conservative Christians. Most denominations have official views on politics that agree with Republicans or Democrats. Look it up. The “mainline” churches agree with the Democrats and the “evangelical” churches agree with the Republicans. Thankfully, this has no force. Catholic guidelines on politics are more interesting and don’t fit any party in the US.

By: Joanna

Joanna — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:24:00 +0000

I think you are very much onto the truth there.

It has particularly been bothering me lately in light of several Christian lead boycott campaigns over very petty social conservative issues. It is sad that most non-christians would rarely if ever see the gospel properly demonstrated in word and deed but from all our ranting would be able to articulate almost everything, down to the most petty, that Christians despise.

By: Martin

Martin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:26:02 +0000

The only thing worse than political conservatism for the Gospel is political liberalism.

I think it only fair to warn about that as well.