29 September, 2008

Pulpit Freedom Sunday?

A group of ministers are trying to overturn the prohibition for pastors to name a nominee from the pulpit.

Any biblical thought on this?

7 comments:

Droll Flood said...

This all for the sake of a tax credit... Keep our mouths shut or we'll be financially corkscrewed into the ground.

For 30 pieces of silver, the peoples' approval, protection, all we have to do is shut our mouths.

On the side a pastor I know has openly stated who not to vote for off the pulpit. It was Kerry. Then there's just stating that which is self-evident.

Droll Flood said...

Never mind the source here, especially considering certain views at WSC concerning the relation of Church and State. Here are some helpful sayings, via Godfrey @WSC.

“The myth of influence seduces Christians into believing that by compromising important theological truths more people can be influenced for Christ.”
“The danger comes, however, when Christians adopt a notion of influence derived from the world of politics or business. That world sees influence in relation to power, money, numbers, and success. Compromise, cooperation, and intentional ambiguity are all methods used to achieve influence in this world. But should Christians adopt strategies and set goals that compromise basic elements of their faith in the name of influence?”
taken from: The Myth of Influence
W. Robert Godfrey
First published in Modern Reformation, September/October 1998, Volume 7, Number 5
http://www.wscal.edu/faculty/wscwritings/06.04a.php

If we are to apply God's Word to all of life, one of those things being that we're to call the good, good and the evil, evil, what's holding us back from speaking about people politically in these terms. Is politics exempt from the Bible?

We can reside in the areopagus as long as we obey its rules.

Anonymous said...

Really, the only difference between candidates on nearly every election in the US, is how they are going to set themselves, and take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

Droll Flood said...

"Any biblical thought on this?"
-What do you think the Bible says concerning these things, Nate?

An Eshelman said...

Andrew: I agree.

Droll: I think that it is wrong to be bound by the state to present any part of the full counsel of God. However, I do think that it could be done in such a way that does not violate the current set up for 'non profits' such as the church.

What I would want to avoid is pastors making foolish martyrs out of themselves to say that they are being persecuted, when really they are just being unwise.

Jason said...

Question is, is it prohibited to say "don't vote"?

Droll Flood said...

"Droll: I think that it is wrong to be bound by the state to present any part of the full counsel of God. However, I do think that it could be done in such a way that does not violate the current set up for 'non profits' such as the church. "

-Okay. I am assuming trying in my mind to understand you in the best way possible here. Are you speaking the "full counsel of God" in the sense of those things which God has not revealed? Or is it wrong for the State to enforce Churches to proclaim the Word? Or...?