Tackling Terrifying Topics: Sects, Drugs, and Rock-n-Roll
May 18, 2009
By Josh Lewis
“Never discuss politics or religion.”
This advice is imparted on a regular basis with the implication
that failure to heed this time-tested rule in any relationship may result in
hard feelings and loss of friendship between the participants. We threw out the rulebook a couple
Wednesday nights ago at Abundant Life Church and kicked off a series entitled, “Sects, Drugs and Rock-n-Roll,” with a
discussion of the church’s role in politics.
The purpose of the series was three-fold:
1. Stimulate people to think critically and develop their
beliefs.
2. Encourage members to re-examine their views in the light
of God’s Word.
3. Remind Christians that there is room for disagreement on
some issues.
The opening session’s theme, which also included questions
on modesty and stem cell research, was “Sects—Things That Divide.” I was
one of six people on the panel, all lay church members. Our senior pastor, Pastor Jeff
Hennigan, served as the moderator. We were given a basic question for each topic, and the moderator also
asked some corollary questions regarding recent news items. Below I’ve captured the questions and a
brief recap of the responses.
Politics
What is the role of the church in politics?
- The
panel was split on this question with some feeling the church’s job is to
save souls only, while the others felt that engaging in socio-political
issues is part of being salt and light (Matthew 5).
- All
agreed that a church should not support a specific candidate or party, but
should teach and promote biblical principles. There was also general agreement that a Christian
should participate individually in voting and possibly serving in
government.
- One
panelist felt that the church should discuss issues relevant to a
particular election with the purpose of voter education.
Should the church engage in protests?
- This
question didn’t generate as much intensity. One panelist felt strongly that we should exercise our
right to protest in order to stand for what is morally right, while being
careful to avoid arguments and ensure our words and actions are
Christ-like during the protest.
Should the church hire lobbyists?
- Only
one panelist gave an absolute “no” on this one. His belief was that lobbying actions should come from a
separate organization and that the church shouldn’t entangle themselves in
that type of action.
- Most
of the other panelists who spoke thought there might be a situation where
the church should try to influence legislation that would affect our
religious freedoms or similar issues.
Modesty
Is modesty relevant today?
- This
one was a shoo-in: yes, modesty is still relevant. (The devil is in the
details!)
How do we apply Paul’s instruction in I
Timothy 2:9 today?
- Some
felt that modesty was much more than clothing, but it should be our way of
life. They emphasized that
moderation and self-control are the underlying foundation of modesty.
- One
panelist emphasized that we are not to be conformed to the world and our
sense of modesty is not determined by the world. She stated that one can be modest without being frumpy,
and it doesn’t always exclude fashion.
- Another
panelist said that modesty in this verse refers to what is “seemly or
appropriate” and is therefore influenced by society. This is why we don’t have to wear
1st century robes and tunics to be modest, and modesty in America
today might be different than in Iran which might be different than 18th century England.
Stem Cell Research
Is embryonic stem cell research morally acceptable?
- Four
of the panelists were unequivocally opposed to embryonic stem cell
research based on their belief that life began at conception
- Two
members stated concerns that the common Christian belief (life begins at
conception) is not necessarily backed up biblically. The verses normally used refer to
God’s knowledge of us in the womb, His plans for us before we are born,
and His careful formation of the unborn. Their main counterpoint was that the life of the flesh
is in the blood (cardiopulmonary function). Since we generally declare someone dead when their
heart and breath cease, that should also mark the beginning. This position maintains an
objection to abortion, since the heart begins to beat around the 5th week, while refusing to call an embryo a human soul.
The discussion was civil throughout, despite some
disagreement on the issues, and feedback from the audience was overwhelmingly
positive afterwards. I trust it
will cause them to pull out their Bibles and search the scriptures to ensure
their beliefs are based on the Word.
What would you have said on the panel? Comment
here!
ninetyandnine.com
© 2009, Josh Lewis
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Josh Lewis is a happy husband of nine years. He is also the proud father of two
lively boys. He enjoys ordering
books online that he someday hopes to read.
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