An interesting perspective

[Willie T]

Yes, it's from Jeff......

If you hang around evangelical circles for 2.5 minutes or less, you'll hear someone make a statement about this supposed, new-fangled, politically correct, man-pleasing Gospel, and will then hear names like Joel Osteen tossed around. But is it really the happy, smiling preachers like Joel Osteen, who are preaching a man-pleasing, politically correct message?

I mean, honestly, think about the Christian culture we live in!

We're chomping at the bit for news of wars, rumors of ...wars, violence and natural disasters. Why? Because it suggests to our apocalypse-anticipating brains that "the end is nigh".

The message of an angry, violent, retributive God is one that appeals to us, because the zeitgeist in the modern world of evangelical (American) Christendom is one of hoping and praying for the demise of the morally degenerate, and the return of political power to the "church".

So what is *really* a politically correct "gospel"? One that promotes love, peace and inclusion, and whose God does not demand or encourage pessimism, a hatred for enemies, violent retribution or war? Or one that feeds into our latent desires for power, revenge and superiority? If we were honest, it's the message of a violent, vengeful judge who loathes his enemies and demands their destruction that most feeds into the political hopes and aspirations of the "church", making it the true, politically correct "gospel".

So don't be fooled, it's the power brokers who like to point out the ones labeled "politically correct" who are often the ones guilty of preaching a truly politically correct message. Believe me, the bulk of American evangelicals are not hoping for peace, reconciliation and a non-violent solution to the world's conflicts. They're hoping for the start of World War III so that "Jesus can return", and naturally, the message that "tickles their ears" is not one that proclaims a Messiah called the "Prince of Peace".
****************

Perhaps a little extreme, in my opinion, but certainly thought-provoking.

 

[Malachi]

The message of an angry, violent, retributive God is one that appeals to us, because the zeitgeist in the modern world of evangelical (American) Christendom is one of hoping and praying for the demise of the morally degenerate, and the return of political power to the "church".

I don't believe that this is a fair assessment at all. Genuine Christians do not pray for the "demise of the morally degenerate" at all. They pray for their salvation and attempt to reach them with the Gospel. So someone is trying to create a bias against Christians without a proper understanding of their motives.

Also the Church (redeemed Jews and Gentiles in one Body) has no political power other than individual believers casting their votes during election. So the "return of political power to the 'church'" makes absolutely no sense.

As for this business of "an angry, violent, retributive God" -- that is how those who are either (a) theological liberals or (b) plainly ignorant of Scripture label God because of His righteous judgments. They fail to grasp that God's grace does not cancel his holiness, and that "the wages of sin is death". Noah's Flood was a righteous judgment after 120 years of pleading with sinners to repent.

All the other judgments of God are righteous also. And God has every right to be angry with sinners, since the universe belongs to Him and He is holy. We should actually marvel that God does not immediately destroy the evildoers on earth who perpetuate pain and suffering on innocent lives daily.

The beauty of God's grace is that He prepared the Lamb of God from before the foundation of the world in order to take away the sin of the world. And salvation is freely offered to all without distinction. Obviously this commentator has no clue about the Bible.

But there is no question whatsoever that severe and cataclysmic judgments will be coming upon this earth (and have already begun in different places). Those judgments will always be righteous, because God is longsuffering with sinners and gives everyone multiple opportunities to repent.

So to paint evangelical Christians as blood-thirsty, power-hungry and evil looks like a direct attack on born-again believers. Wonder what the writer's agenda is?

 

[Willie T]

Agenda? Basically to awaken a slumbering church, nodding in the pews.

 

[poetofparables]

I often thought that too many people desired the annihilation of the human race, and not just the christians.

Willie that post was the nicest rant about the end time boomers I've read for a while.

(Is boomers the right word, ill google it)

 

[Willie T]

I often thought that too many people desired the annihilation of the human race, and not just the christians.

Willie that post was the nicest rant about the end time boomers I've read for a while.

(Is boomers the right word, ill google it)

Dunno. "Fanatics" is all I've ever heard them called......... People who care so much about others that they can hardly wait to be snatched outta here to leave them to burn,.... AFTER they get to come back on a white horse with Jesus, of course, and hack all the unbelievers to pieces with their new Heavenly swords.

 

[Obadiah]

Dunno. "Fanatics" is all I've ever heard them called......... People who care so much about others that they can hardly wait to be snatched outta here to leave them to burn,.... AFTER they get to come back on a white horse with Jesus, of course, and hack all the unbelievers to pieces with their new Heavenly swords.

Yeah, real nice picture of Christian "love" there isn't it? Shameful.

 

[Willie T]

Yeah, real nice picture of Christian "love" there isn't it? Shameful.

That's why I thought Jeff's comments were so insightful. What "The Church" claims, and the way so many Christians talk and act, are MILES apart, and the latter often hardly ever shows a glimmer of love for anyone but their own select group.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

There's nothing in the bible that says World War 3 will be the final 7 years of tribulation before the return of Christ.

 

[Willie T]

There's nothing in the bible that says World War 3 will be the final 7 years of tribulation before the return of Christ.

There are a LOT of things that aren't in the Bible, yet many people claim they ARE there.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

Willie, this is very interesting.
Been thinking about it all afternoon.
Come back online and no one has responded to it.
Surprised?
No.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
That's what the Bible tells us to do.
And when will there be peace in Jerusalem?
When the Messiah returns.
So rather than pray for peace, they pray for destruction.
Thinking this will bring back the return of the Messiah is getting it backwards.

 

[reba]

There are a LOT of things that aren't in the Bible, yet many people claim they ARE there.

Well i never

 

[turnorburn]

How does Jeff handle the wrath of God abiding on all unbelievers, somebody has to warn them..

tob

 

[Willie T]

How does Jeff handle the wrath of God abiding on all unbelievers, somebody has to warn them..

tob

Did you know "the wrath of God" was on all sorts of people all through the Bible? That's one of his favorite subjects.

 

[Willie T]

Well i never

Yep..... trufers.

 

[jasonc]

Yes, it's from Jeff......

If you hang around evangelical circles for 2.5 minutes or less, you'll hear someone make a statement about this supposed, new-fangled, politically correct, man-pleasing Gospel, and will then hear names like Joel Osteen tossed around. But is it really the happy, smiling preachers like Joel Osteen, who are preaching a man-pleasing, politically correct message?

I mean, honestly, think about the Christian culture we live in!

We're chomping at the bit for news of wars, rumors of ...wars, violence and natural disasters. Why? Because it suggests to our apocalypse-anticipating brains that "the end is nigh".

The message of an angry, violent, retributive God is one that appeals to us, because the zeitgeist in the modern world of evangelical (American) Christendom is one of hoping and praying for the demise of the morally degenerate, and the return of political power to the "church".

So what is *really* a politically correct "gospel"? One that promotes love, peace and inclusion, and whose God does not demand or encourage pessimism, a hatred for enemies, violent retribution or war? Or one that feeds into our latent desires for power, revenge and superiority? If we were honest, it's the message of a violent, vengeful judge who loathes his enemies and demands their destruction that most feeds into the political hopes and aspirations of the "church", making it the true, politically correct "gospel".

So don't be fooled, it's the power brokers who like to point out the ones labeled "politically correct" who are often the ones guilty of preaching a truly politically correct message. Believe me, the bulk of American evangelicals are not hoping for peace, reconciliation and a non-violent solution to the world's conflicts. They're hoping for the start of World War III so that "Jesus can return", and naturally, the message that "tickles their ears" is not one that proclaims a Messiah called the "Prince of Peace".
****************

Perhaps a little extreme, in my opinion, but certainly thought-provoking.

it is interesting and I have noticed that before. it happened during and end times message my pastor gave. he got excited that jesus was going to return and mentioned the war against isreal. to me that is a somber message. that if I bought that view of his. I don't.

 

[Willie T]

Willie, this is very interesting.
Been thinking about it all afternoon.
Come back online and no one has responded to it.
Surprised?
No.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
That's what the Bible tells us to do.
And when will there be peace in Jerusalem?
When the Messiah returns.
So rather than pray for peace, they pray for destruction.
Thinking this will bring back the return of the Messiah is getting it backwards.

I've actually had people tell me that the reason they tell people about God is so that, whether or not they respond, they get told, so that the END can be hastened. Have you ever heard anything so horrible? They honestly don't seem to care if people can eventually be led to God, just so long as the word got preached at them.

 

[turnorburn]

Did you know "the wrath of God" was on all sorts of people all through the Bible? That's one of his favorite subjects.

The wrath of God is on all unbelievers it always has been, he probably uses Jonathan Edwards sermon, Sinners in the hands of an angry God..

tob

 

[jasonc]

I've actually had people tell me that the reason they tell people about God is so that, whether or not they respond, they get told, so that the END can be hastened. Have you ever heard anything so horrible? They honestly don't seem to care if people can eventually be led to God, just so long as the word got preached at them.

while I have never seen that. I just seem to far fetched. given with all the end time hysteria and hype that has been around since hal Lindsey and chafer, and uncle cyrus.

 

[Willie T]

The wrath of God is on all unbelievers it always has been, he probably uses Jonathan Edwards sermon, Sinners in the hands of an angry God..

tob

He actually wrote a 422 page book entitled, "Saints In The Arms of a Happy God." Frankly that disgusting sermon of Edwards', almost makes me puke.

 

[reba]

Raised in despinsational teaching there was some back and forth about 7 or 3 1/2 trib...... The classic PK i was.. Mom is getting worried about me I got the Jesus could come back any time speech.... if your not ready its the trib.....With out being snotty or rude to mom.. ( had i been my trib would have happened) I told her.. ok Mom i will live how i want and then when Jesus comes back.. i will not deny Him get my head chopped off and see ya all in heaven,,,,