Comments on: Pure and Undefiled Politics? http://www.colossiansthreesixteen.com/archives/861 Sat, 30 Aug 2008 07:59:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Dan Trabue http://www.colossiansthreesixteen.com/archives/861#comment-40111 Dan Trabue Wed, 25 Oct 2006 21:07:31 +0000 http://www.colossiansthreesixteen.com/archives/861#comment-40111 This is one area where, when those who complain about welfare get started, I'm quick to point out that there is NOT A THING stopping churches from tackling poverty problems. Just because the state has poverty programs doesn't mean that we can't have some, too. If "conservative" types want to abolish welfare programs, all they have to do is take care of the problems on their own. I'm of the mind that <i>usually</i> anyone other than the gov't can do a better job. But if others aren't taking care of a job, then apparently a majority of the US believes it wise fiscally and socially to have the state intervene. This is one area where, when those who complain about welfare get started, I’m quick to point out that there is NOT A THING stopping churches from tackling poverty problems. Just because the state has poverty programs doesn’t mean that we can’t have some, too.

If “conservative” types want to abolish welfare programs, all they have to do is take care of the problems on their own. I’m of the mind that usually anyone other than the gov’t can do a better job. But if others aren’t taking care of a job, then apparently a majority of the US believes it wise fiscally and socially to have the state intervene.

]]> By: Tami http://www.colossiansthreesixteen.com/archives/861#comment-40106 Tami Wed, 25 Oct 2006 15:30:05 +0000 http://www.colossiansthreesixteen.com/archives/861#comment-40106 Yes, yes, yes, Brent. I agree with you about the church abdicating our role in our communities. It does all stem from lack of trusting in the power of the preached Word. Isn't it ironic that the social gospel movement left the Bible behind (in some sense), yet the Bible is we where learn how to truly love and serve the poor, widowed, and orphaned. Most importantly, we learn that physical needs pale in comparison to the greatest, most real need- the true gospel of grace. Thanks for the thoughts, and for the NPR update- gotta love Terri! (I sometimes find her rancor towards conservatives and Christians almost palpable.) -Tami (p.s. I changed my blog to www.hereatourhouse.blogspot.com) Yes, yes, yes, Brent. I agree with you about the church abdicating our role in our communities. It does all stem from lack of trusting in the power of the preached Word. Isn’t it ironic that the social gospel movement left the Bible behind (in some sense), yet the Bible is we where learn how to truly love and serve the poor, widowed, and orphaned. Most importantly, we learn that physical needs pale in comparison to the greatest, most real need- the true gospel of grace.
Thanks for the thoughts, and for the NPR update- gotta love Terri! (I sometimes find her rancor towards conservatives and Christians almost palpable.)
-Tami
(p.s. I changed my blog to http://www.hereatourhouse.blogspot.com)

]]> By: Amber http://www.colossiansthreesixteen.com/archives/861#comment-40094 Amber Wed, 25 Oct 2006 05:05:30 +0000 http://www.colossiansthreesixteen.com/archives/861#comment-40094 I have another log to throw on the fire.. if the church WERE to start trying to take of care of the needs to a greater extent rather than leaving it to the governemnt, would they be able to do so? Isn't it true that it's typically a small percentage of the congregation that conributes to the majority of the church's budget? And isn't it usually true that it's the same people you see stepping up to serve over and over again? Some churches may be better than others, and personally, I think our church tries hard to focus on meeting the needs of it's own members, but still, would we (not just our church, but churches, plural) have the money and the manpower to accomplish as much as would be needed, or even almost as much? We all know that tithing and giving is a topic a lot of people don't want to hear about..preach about anything, just don't touch their wallet. And also, many people don't want to hear about giving time, either. Wouldn't you agree that in addition to "the knee-jerk reaction" it's also true that a lot of people don't have a heart to help and don't (or don't want to) think about "what you do to the least of these, you do to me." Just as we ought to pray for a heart that aches for the lost and has a desire to reach them, we must also pray for a heart that yearns to serve and is willing to give. I have another log to throw on the fire.. if the church WERE to start trying to take of care of the needs to a greater extent rather than leaving it to the governemnt, would they be able to do so? Isn’t it true that it’s typically a small percentage of the congregation that conributes to the majority of the church’s budget? And isn’t it usually true that it’s the same people you see stepping up to serve over and over again? Some churches may be better than others, and personally, I think our church tries hard to focus on meeting the needs of it’s own members, but still, would we (not just our church, but churches, plural) have the money and the manpower to accomplish as much as would be needed, or even almost as much? We all know that tithing and giving is a topic a lot of people don’t want to hear about..preach about anything, just don’t touch their wallet. And also, many people don’t want to hear about giving time, either. Wouldn’t you agree that in addition to “the knee-jerk reaction” it’s also true that a lot of people don’t have a heart to help and don’t (or don’t want to) think about “what you do to the least of these, you do to me.” Just as we ought to pray for a heart that aches for the lost and has a desire to reach them, we must also pray for a heart that yearns to serve and is willing to give.

]]> By: Bryan Riley http://www.colossiansthreesixteen.com/archives/861#comment-40087 Bryan Riley Wed, 25 Oct 2006 01:45:37 +0000 http://www.colossiansthreesixteen.com/archives/861#comment-40087 I agree with the thought that the failure of many of the churches to address social injustice is the result of a knee jerk reaction against the social gospel movement. Unfortunately, that attitude just further illustrates our hypocrisy and lack of love. We must be full of truth and full of grace. They are not independent for the Christian life. I agree with the thought that the failure of many of the churches to address social injustice is the result of a knee jerk reaction against the social gospel movement. Unfortunately, that attitude just further illustrates our hypocrisy and lack of love. We must be full of truth and full of grace. They are not independent for the Christian life.

]]> By: Harvey http://www.colossiansthreesixteen.com/archives/861#comment-40073 Harvey Tue, 24 Oct 2006 14:53:49 +0000 http://www.colossiansthreesixteen.com/archives/861#comment-40073 Do you have few responses because you're stepping on our toes? You are of course, hitting the "nail on the head". And our toes! Do you have few responses because you’re stepping on our toes? You are of course, hitting the “nail on the head”. And our toes!

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