Thank you for this. I was just sitting on my couch in tears just now when I read your post picturing in my mind the photo of Kristi Noem standing in front of those El Salvador boys. They may be in a gang or they may not be, but they are someone’s son. And they are human beings. I’m just so overwhelmed with disdain, I don’t know what to do anymore.Thank you for your words. There are others of us just like you. And we know the Jesus we worship. He is the truth. And they are not.
My political support changed from republican to democrat when Trump entered the picture. At the same time I began questioning my evangelical beliefs. At one point during the most recent electionI mentioned i was voting Biden/Harris. To which she replied, they are evil. I asked why she thought that. Because they support abortion and democrats are evil. At which point i asked her if she thought I was evil. She said no of course not. Make it make sense lady. We are still friends in a very superficial way but have agreed to not discuss politics or our faith. (We have connection via horse riding activities). Anyway, thats the first time I actually heard someone call democrats evil simply because of their political affiliation.
I had my mother's friend explain how 'evil' the democrats are, and it was all insane conspiracy theory stuff. They sexually abuse children and then eat them. I couldn't believe she believes that. I think Qanon has gotten to more people than we expect.
Thank you Rev Benjamin. What I see these days I cannot unsee. And I agree with you 100% that Christian Nationalism is overtaking the big C Church. The global church if you will. And I don’t get it. Well, I do. I think the enemy is having his way with people, blinding them to see what’s right in front of our eyes.
Thank you for sharing so boldly and respectfully where you are. It is encouraging and helps me remember that “it isn’t me” Blessings!
“Imaginary centrism” is the polite fig leaf covering up a golden calf dressed in red, white, and blue. I’ve seen this too—where quoting Jesus gets you side-eyed, but quoting a pundit gets you praise. Where “both sides are bad” somehow always translates to only condemning one.
The modern church is so allergic to introspection, it’s easier to gaslight the prophets than to face the idol of political power they’re kneeling before.
This isn’t centrism. It’s camouflage for complicity.
Thank you, Rev. Cremer, for refusing to be a chaplain to empire.
From one pastor to another: my greatest joy and ultimate challenge is preaching the gospel; we are put there, in the pulpit, to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. To preach the truth in love. And that is also my challenge: to love the listeners, even those with whom I strongly disagree, to love them in the name of Christ... And if and when there is disagreement, if and when I might, heaven forbid, step on someone's toes.. I remember the scripture in Luke where Jesus was preaching in the synagogue, and the people were so incensed they wanted to throw him off the cliff. Now that is preaching... Let us be bold in our proclamation and fearless in the face of opposition. Thank you for your timely words to inspire and energize us. May the words of our mouths and meditation of our hearts be acceptable in Thy sight Lord and Redeemer.
I grew up under this Christian radicalism. I’m thankful to know there are pastors out there who do not condone MAGA Christian Nationalism and radical right. I had wondered in Trump’s first term especially after J6, why on earth any Christian could still support this evil. Thank you for calling out the hypocrisy and for bringing to light what Jesus is actually about.
Thank you for your vulnerability and your wise words, Rev. Benjamin. Thank you for being brave. I am growing so weary... I feel like we're at a bizarre point in American Christianity where we have two opposing teams: the Sermon on the Mount Christians (somehow these are the "progressives" for focusing on Jesus's central teachings) versus the Jesus-flipping-tables, "go and sin no more" Christians (who twist those two passages to suit their culture wars). How did we get here? (I know the history of how we got here.) But still, how did we get here? Lord, have mercy.
i have seen the same happen when our pastor preached on the palestinians and how she disagreed with israels killing of the palestinians women and children just because they wore the wrong coloured clothing sowere seen as the enemy some thought it was anti israel thats the issue is yes innocent people are dying because of hamas on both sides sadly the money going towards rebuilding palestine is going into there war effort against israel so its a no win situation it doesnt get to the people because of a corrupt government it not an easy answer meanwhile the innocent continue to be used as a political football and i suspect its the same with other issues.Facebook encourages this choosing of sides for or against what is causing is division and thats the enemys plan get people to have there own opinions and disagree meanwhile he is free to do what he wants what the lord is telling me is to pray for change not set up a pl;atform to discuss these issue we get no where It really doesnt matter whose in power as we are to pray for our government as the lord is in control not man.for me i learned along time ago the only person we have to please is the lord and do what he wants us to do and as far as social issues its important that we help the vulnerable in society thats what jesus would do and did do he often sought out the outcasts and witnbessed to them of the love of God.
Hola Benjamin! En la Argentina el fenómeno es similar, aunque con diferencias. La Teología de la Liberación de los años '60 y '70 ayudó a tener una mirada distinta. Sin embargo, al ganar elecciones partidos más progresistas, y la iglesia apoyar el avance en derechos, la inclusión del colectivo LGBTQI+, el apoyo a los pueblos indígenas, también hubo confusión respecto de si eran valores cristianos, valores evangélicos, o causas políticas, sin que estuviera tan clara la diferencia. Hoy, nos gobierna la extrema derecha y los retrocesos son enormes... y hemos perdido cierta legitimidad para poder expresarnos proféticamente, sin quedar alineados políticamente... Estamos atravesando un tiempo muy dificil. Dios nos ayude, Dios les ayude a Ustedes también! Un abrazo en Cristo! (Soy Maximiliano Heusser, pastor de la Iglesia Evangélica Metodista Argentina).
Its so interesting to read this as it gave me the strength to publish something that I have been considering for some time as I look to what appears to be happening in many areas of the US. Taking comparisons to a phenomenon of the 80s and the Chant for what you want belief systems... How far from the core have some faiths gone ... I'm not sure if it is the rise of relativism or if it is simply that many continue the ancient way, of making God in their own image... rather than enjoy the fact that teaching of humility, giving, and understanding are in fact man created in God's image.
Thank you for this. I was just sitting on my couch in tears just now when I read your post picturing in my mind the photo of Kristi Noem standing in front of those El Salvador boys. They may be in a gang or they may not be, but they are someone’s son. And they are human beings. I’m just so overwhelmed with disdain, I don’t know what to do anymore.Thank you for your words. There are others of us just like you. And we know the Jesus we worship. He is the truth. And they are not.
My political support changed from republican to democrat when Trump entered the picture. At the same time I began questioning my evangelical beliefs. At one point during the most recent electionI mentioned i was voting Biden/Harris. To which she replied, they are evil. I asked why she thought that. Because they support abortion and democrats are evil. At which point i asked her if she thought I was evil. She said no of course not. Make it make sense lady. We are still friends in a very superficial way but have agreed to not discuss politics or our faith. (We have connection via horse riding activities). Anyway, thats the first time I actually heard someone call democrats evil simply because of their political affiliation.
I had my mother's friend explain how 'evil' the democrats are, and it was all insane conspiracy theory stuff. They sexually abuse children and then eat them. I couldn't believe she believes that. I think Qanon has gotten to more people than we expect.
Thank you Rev Benjamin. What I see these days I cannot unsee. And I agree with you 100% that Christian Nationalism is overtaking the big C Church. The global church if you will. And I don’t get it. Well, I do. I think the enemy is having his way with people, blinding them to see what’s right in front of our eyes.
Thank you for sharing so boldly and respectfully where you are. It is encouraging and helps me remember that “it isn’t me” Blessings!
This hit like a psalm with a sledgehammer.
“Imaginary centrism” is the polite fig leaf covering up a golden calf dressed in red, white, and blue. I’ve seen this too—where quoting Jesus gets you side-eyed, but quoting a pundit gets you praise. Where “both sides are bad” somehow always translates to only condemning one.
The modern church is so allergic to introspection, it’s easier to gaslight the prophets than to face the idol of political power they’re kneeling before.
This isn’t centrism. It’s camouflage for complicity.
Thank you, Rev. Cremer, for refusing to be a chaplain to empire.
From one pastor to another: my greatest joy and ultimate challenge is preaching the gospel; we are put there, in the pulpit, to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. To preach the truth in love. And that is also my challenge: to love the listeners, even those with whom I strongly disagree, to love them in the name of Christ... And if and when there is disagreement, if and when I might, heaven forbid, step on someone's toes.. I remember the scripture in Luke where Jesus was preaching in the synagogue, and the people were so incensed they wanted to throw him off the cliff. Now that is preaching... Let us be bold in our proclamation and fearless in the face of opposition. Thank you for your timely words to inspire and energize us. May the words of our mouths and meditation of our hearts be acceptable in Thy sight Lord and Redeemer.
So very on- point. A sad reality in many of the conservative churches in the country.
I grew up under this Christian radicalism. I’m thankful to know there are pastors out there who do not condone MAGA Christian Nationalism and radical right. I had wondered in Trump’s first term especially after J6, why on earth any Christian could still support this evil. Thank you for calling out the hypocrisy and for bringing to light what Jesus is actually about.
Thank you for your vulnerability and your wise words, Rev. Benjamin. Thank you for being brave. I am growing so weary... I feel like we're at a bizarre point in American Christianity where we have two opposing teams: the Sermon on the Mount Christians (somehow these are the "progressives" for focusing on Jesus's central teachings) versus the Jesus-flipping-tables, "go and sin no more" Christians (who twist those two passages to suit their culture wars). How did we get here? (I know the history of how we got here.) But still, how did we get here? Lord, have mercy.
i have seen the same happen when our pastor preached on the palestinians and how she disagreed with israels killing of the palestinians women and children just because they wore the wrong coloured clothing sowere seen as the enemy some thought it was anti israel thats the issue is yes innocent people are dying because of hamas on both sides sadly the money going towards rebuilding palestine is going into there war effort against israel so its a no win situation it doesnt get to the people because of a corrupt government it not an easy answer meanwhile the innocent continue to be used as a political football and i suspect its the same with other issues.Facebook encourages this choosing of sides for or against what is causing is division and thats the enemys plan get people to have there own opinions and disagree meanwhile he is free to do what he wants what the lord is telling me is to pray for change not set up a pl;atform to discuss these issue we get no where It really doesnt matter whose in power as we are to pray for our government as the lord is in control not man.for me i learned along time ago the only person we have to please is the lord and do what he wants us to do and as far as social issues its important that we help the vulnerable in society thats what jesus would do and did do he often sought out the outcasts and witnbessed to them of the love of God.
Hola Benjamin! En la Argentina el fenómeno es similar, aunque con diferencias. La Teología de la Liberación de los años '60 y '70 ayudó a tener una mirada distinta. Sin embargo, al ganar elecciones partidos más progresistas, y la iglesia apoyar el avance en derechos, la inclusión del colectivo LGBTQI+, el apoyo a los pueblos indígenas, también hubo confusión respecto de si eran valores cristianos, valores evangélicos, o causas políticas, sin que estuviera tan clara la diferencia. Hoy, nos gobierna la extrema derecha y los retrocesos son enormes... y hemos perdido cierta legitimidad para poder expresarnos proféticamente, sin quedar alineados políticamente... Estamos atravesando un tiempo muy dificil. Dios nos ayude, Dios les ayude a Ustedes también! Un abrazo en Cristo! (Soy Maximiliano Heusser, pastor de la Iglesia Evangélica Metodista Argentina).
Thank you, Sir, from the depths of my soul.
Its so interesting to read this as it gave me the strength to publish something that I have been considering for some time as I look to what appears to be happening in many areas of the US. Taking comparisons to a phenomenon of the 80s and the Chant for what you want belief systems... How far from the core have some faiths gone ... I'm not sure if it is the rise of relativism or if it is simply that many continue the ancient way, of making God in their own image... rather than enjoy the fact that teaching of humility, giving, and understanding are in fact man created in God's image.