Good writing coupled with sensible thought merits attention. In a news letter entitled "The Spirit and Flame", Pastor Joe from out at the Atwater, Hawick and Rosendale United Methodist Parish in central western Minnesota says some strong words regarding Christians in America - or any other nation.
He begins with Jesus and folks who wanted to make Jesus their king and take over the land. Jesus refused to get in that game. Later on the Christian Church was not so perceptive and came to enjoy and take advantage of the privileges of being well treated by government and business. Then Joe talks about present day Christian who wish to make America a "Christian Nation" while forgetting Jesus who specifically said His kingdom is not of "this world".
Here are some specific words by the Pastor: "Christ remained outside the earthly power structure so he could champion the cause of the oppressed and downtrodden. Similarly the Church of Christ should not be part of the power structures of our day....We are called by Christ to be a righteous influence upon the world. We are not called to make Christ's Church a part of the world by trying to form an earthly kingdom in Christ's name...The dispossessed, poor, oppressed, and downtrodden deserve our concern and suppor, just as they received Jesus' support and concern."
This thought provoking language is what people at the Atwater, Hawick and Rosendale churches have to deal with week by week. Lucky them.
He begins with Jesus and folks who wanted to make Jesus their king and take over the land. Jesus refused to get in that game. Later on the Christian Church was not so perceptive and came to enjoy and take advantage of the privileges of being well treated by government and business. Then Joe talks about present day Christian who wish to make America a "Christian Nation" while forgetting Jesus who specifically said His kingdom is not of "this world".
Here are some specific words by the Pastor: "Christ remained outside the earthly power structure so he could champion the cause of the oppressed and downtrodden. Similarly the Church of Christ should not be part of the power structures of our day....We are called by Christ to be a righteous influence upon the world. We are not called to make Christ's Church a part of the world by trying to form an earthly kingdom in Christ's name...The dispossessed, poor, oppressed, and downtrodden deserve our concern and suppor, just as they received Jesus' support and concern."
This thought provoking language is what people at the Atwater, Hawick and Rosendale churches have to deal with week by week. Lucky them.
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