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Baptism of Edward Douglas Lockton
Jesus heals Simon's mother in law and others
Story of a Veteran
Trinity Sunday Reflections
Gordon Buck Funeral Homily
Military Homecoming. University of San Diego
Christian Mission: Do We Really Understand It?
VA Funding, an Ongoing Disgrace
« Mental Health of Returning Veterans | Main | John Paul II »
Former Republican Senator John Danforth believes that his party has become an arm of the Christian Right. He is, of course, correct. There is nothing wrong with religion exerting and influence in the public sphere. Any religion which does not influence its members sufficiently to act in the public sphere is not worth its salt. But there is a serious problem when an American political party becomes a political tool of any religioius group. There is also a theological problem.
The Christian faith began in a context of opposition to what Paul called "the principalities and powers"(Col 2:15). Sadly, Christians since about the fifth century have often fallen into the trap of using the power of the state to further their own ends--but this is always a trap. It ultimately subverts the faith. When his disciples wanted him to exert his power and establish the Kingdom of God by physical might, Jesus rebuked them. He called on them to take up their cross and follow him.
The religious right now endorses the use of political and military coercion to accomplish its goals--and it does so in the name of the Christian faith. This requires not only political opposition, but it demands the repudiation of Christians who will not allow their faith to be co-opted and distorted in this way.
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