Post from Facebook

Below is a posting in response to another friend's blog on Facebook. The true context is Florida Amendment #2. I never address the issue...that's not my job. My job has always been and will always be to color the landscape with an interpretation of the scriptures so that you can make good choices for yourself, humanity and the kingdom of God. Would love to hear your thoughts...

Hello all...I will do my best to make my comments brief and clear...oh I wish.

For another look at the judgment issue, Romans 14 is rather fascinating, especially in light of everything else Paul says in that particular letter, what was going on at that time in Rome (both political and cultural), and how many Christians have interpreted the letter. In short, I am reflection on the second half of verse 5: "...Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind." And for my context-lovers, Paul is clearly talking about judging.

I believe that part (if not a significant chunk) of the work of the Cross for the world (including those who do not believe that Jesus is God) is to bring freedom to humanity. I could spend hours talking about the old doctrine of Common Grace (which actually has it's roots in calvinism). But the truth is that as the world continues to be reconciled to God in Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, through the work of His Church...there are tangible effects that all begin to experience. Again, I could spend an hour talking about the non-church effects of the Great Schism and the Reformation. But to keep this short (right), we'll stick with freedom. (And for all of those who adhere to strong views towards Calvinism, read further at your own risk).

The hard thing about freedom is it truly is freedom...freedom to sin, freedom to love, freedom to die and freedom to take life. We see the scary affects of this freedom in the Creation account of Genesis. Freedom to think (2:20), freedom to come together (2:24), freedom to make decisions (3:6), freedom to avoid (3:8), freedom to blame (3:12-13) and the list literally goes on. Freedom is scary because, for those of us on this planet, it could very well lead to chaos, and we are afraid of chaos. As a result of the fear, we control...people, thoughts, actions, laws.

My view: God is not afraid of chaos and he actually draws close to it. (Gen 1:2). In my opinion, God is not afraid of freedom because, and only God really knows how, God is glorified when we are truly free.

So as Christ-followers, those who have joined God in Christ in His 'freedom operation' for and on behalf of humanity, we must ask how we will participate in setting people free. And again, we don't get to decide what people do with their freedom (and according the Genesis, on some level, God doesn't either.) In setting people free, we must live out what it means to be free.

And as we continue on this journey of freedom-fighting, we have to ask if we've done a good job? That is essentially the question that Paul continues to ask the churches...are you really free? Or are you still living under the yoke of religion (controlling institutions)? And if you aren't free, how can you set others free and show others what freedom really can look like?

Therefore, how we vote (which is a context for American Christians and a context NT Christians NEVER experienced) must be in terms of how we are joining God's freedom operation for humanity.

I know I didn't answer anything but hopefully I positively contributed to a good discussion. Thanks for reading.

Comments

[Jennifer]

Knowing that no matter what I do or don't do, people will still do what they want, what they shouldn't, what God doesn't want them to do. I still do not want to be responsible for encouraging unGodly behaviors...Vote yes on Florida Amendment #2. Don't encourage homosexuals to stay in a such a sad, separated from God kind of life.

[Brian Fullford]

Well, Amendment 2 passed and with it comes the very thing that blackens the eye of Christianity: institutionalized legislation of faith based morality. When Christians wonder why segments of society rebel against the smallest piece of what appears to be government support of a specific faith, look no further than this. I could go on about certain sins that are spoken of in the New and Old Testament that Christians are no up in arms about...wanting to create laws against...but that is beside the point.

Jennifer's comment bothers me greatly. When the Bible speaks of homosexuality it is withing the context and conduct of those who were participating in it. Those Biblical writers did not have a concept of gay men or women in a loving relationship, and loving God, as they correlated such actions to paganism. Furthermore, the idea that one is "encouraging" homosexuals to stay in a "sad" state is both arrogant and ignorant of homosexuality and the vast love of God.

Derrick, ever wonder why I don't want to be associated with the term "Christian"...see above.

[Jennifer]

I'm not sure Brian knows much about the gay lifestyle or what it involves. I'm sorry I troubled him, but I'd love the chance to speak to him about it. It is hard for the average straight person who doesn't know what it is like to be gay to understand. It is also hard for a person who's always been gay to understand what it's like to be free of that. I wouldn't wish for any person to be ignorant of the fact that there are better things for them. But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”