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Politics & Lordship
16 September 2008
As we enter these final months of presidential politics I think it is helpful to hear the wisdom of some Christ-leaders. John Howard Yoder writes; “Jesus refused to concede that those in power represent an ideal or acceptable definition of what it means to be political. He did not say ‘You can have you politics and I shall do something more important.’ He said, ‘Your definition of politics, and social existence is wrong.’” Our intentions may be good, and there is much to be valued and cherished in American life. BUT God quite mercifully calls us to something better than those inevitably compromised options of Democrat or Republican.
Tony Campolo has recently written about RED LETTER CHRISTIANS – those who take their cues, not from Michael Moore or Rush Limbaugh, but from the words of Jesus. No political leader can tell us what to think, for we are Christ followers, believing Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Red letter Christians are Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Independents and any other label we choose. Tony Campolo writes that Red Letter Christians “should be the ultimate swing vote, holding both sides accountable to a broader moral vision.”
Sometimes it is good to remember that in the Roman Empire the complaint against Christ followers was that “they are turning the world upside down.” (Acts 17) In a culture that does not love Jesus as Lord, we should expect to find ourselves at odds with business as usual; we will have nothing to do with an arrogant judgmental spirit, but we do not refrain from making judgments. Stanley Hauerwas writes, “The Church is not simply a ‘voluntary association’ that may be of some use to the wider public, but rather it is a community constituted by practices by which all other politics are to be judged.”
Abraham Lincoln told the truth about “sides” who boast of God: “Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God; each invokes His aid against the other. The prayers of both could not be answered….The Almighty has His own purposes.” So as the political conversation gets heated let’s remember Lincolns words; “With malice toward none; with charity for all…to bind up the nations wounds – to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.”
I look forward to worshipping with you this week as we celebrate 60 years of Christ’s work and witness through Central!
- Orphans
- Alpha
- Financial Peace University
Sponsoring a child through Central provides education, school uniforms, supplies and food for orphans and semi-orphans in our sister congregations of Kibena and Matingajola in Southern Tanzania.
Each week people meet together for a meal, a talk on topics such as "Who is Jesus?", "Why Did Jesus Die?", "How Can I be Sure of My Faith?", and "Does God Still Heal Today?" , followed by small group interaction. There is an optional one-day retreat, which focuses on the person and work of the Holy Spirit.
The goal of Financial Peace University is not just information—we're looking for transformation. More than one million familieshave attended FPU with amazing results. On average, they pay off $5,300 in debt and save $2,700 in just 90 days.
This Week @ Central
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21 May
MOPS
06:00 PM to 09:00 PM -
21 May
The Hope Connection
06:30 PM to 09:00 PM -
21 May
Revelation Class
07:00 PM to 08:30 PM -
22 May
Moms In Touch - VandenBerge & Salk Middle Schools
08:15 AM to 09:15 AM -
22 May
Staff Prayers
09:00 AM to 09:15 AM -
22 May
Men's and Women's Coffee Hour
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM -
22 May
Staff Meeting
01:30 PM to 03:00 PM -
22 May
Prayer Worship
06:30 PM to 07:00 PM -
22 May
The Lord's Prayer Class
07:15 PM to 08:30 PM -
23 May
Women's Bible Study at Panera
06:45 AM to 07:45 AM -
23 May
College and Career Moms in Touch
08:00 AM to 09:00 AM -
23 May
Fresh Food Distribution
08:30 AM to 10:00 AM -
23 May
Central Assembly Group
08:30 AM to 11:30 AM -
23 May
Staff Prayers
09:00 AM to 09:15 AM -
23 May
Fresh Faith
09:00 AM to 10:00 AM -
23 May
Little Lambs Chapel Time
09:30 AM to 10:00 AM -
23 May
The Lord's Prayer Class
11:00 AM to 12:30 PM -
23 May
Weight Watchers Meeting
12:00 PM to 02:00 PM -
23 May
echo Studios (Art & Music)
03:30 PM to 05:30 PM -
23 May
echo Leader Party at Braley's
06:30 PM to 08:00 PM
21 May - 22 May
22 May - 22 May
22 May - 23 May
23 May - 23 May
23 May - 23 May