Has anybody ever given you the warning that you should never talk about religion or politics? It’s been said that if you want to have a peaceful get together with family or friends, that religion and politics should never be a topic of conversation. That advice seems especially sage in today’s political climate. Just mentioning number “45” can turn a peaceful gathering into all out warfare. Knowing that politics are so divisive, it would seem wise not to bring up the conversation at all, much less schedule a time to have a conversation about it! Who in their right minds would schedule a date on the calendar, to get together to discuss politics, in the church of all places? …. We would!
Join us on Sunday, March 3rd, as we welcome Jonathan Leeman: Author, Speaker and editorial director for 9 Marks. He will be teaching both our Sunday School hour and our Main Service. For our Sunday School hour, Leeman’s message will be from his new book on politics titled “How the Nations Rage”. Please make plans to join us for the 9:00 hour to learn how believers can wisely engage others even in a polarizing political climate.
In Christ Alone,
Pastor George
Pastor Matt
Click HERE to view a video from Leeman regarding his book.
Below is a brief summary of Leeman’s book, if you’re interested in learning more.
“We live in a time of division. It shows up not just between political parties and ethnic groups and churches but also inside of them. As Christians, we’ve felt pushed to the outskirts of national public life, yet even then we are divided about how to respond. Some want to strengthen the evangelical voting bloc. Others focus on social-justice causes, and still others would abandon the public square altogether. What do we do when brothers and sisters in Christ sit next to each other in the pews but feel divided and angry? Is there a way forward? In How the Nations Rage, political theology scholar and pastor Jonathan Leeman challenges Christians from across the spectrum to hit the restart button. First, we shift our focus from redeeming the nation to living as a redeemed nation. Second, we take the lessons learned inside the church into our public engagement outside of it by loving our neighbors and seeking justice. When we identify with Christ more than a political party or social grouping, we avoid the false allure of building heaven on earth and return to the church’s unchanging political task: to represent a heavenly and future kingdom now. It’s only when we realize that the life of our churches now is the hope of the nation for tomorrow that we become the salt and light Jesus calls us to be.”
