I am a lurker on a lot of message boards, and I've just noticed something that, on the surface, seems a little off.
On other boards, in sections with titles like "The Soap Box," and other such areas for supposedly serious discussion and debate, politics dominates the landscape.
These forums often include outspoken, vocal Christians. Yet, the bulk of their activity is aimed at politics as well. Now, I am the last person that would ever diminish the importance of establishing proper roles for civil magistrates, but how much have we borrowed from the world in this area?
I'm not speaking about borrowing worldly political schemes, though that happens, but more that we elevate its importance, even in our dialogue with unbelievers.
Simply put, the question: What in this world really irks you? What do you just want to rant and scream about sometimes?
Or, another way, asking myself, "What would I discuss with (insert crazed evil political figure here) if I had the chance?" or "Where has this person gone wrong?" My answer ought to be the gospel. Sadly, many times it is not.
Sure, the political climate reveals a lot about the sin in this world, but I'm afraid that we are losing the centrality of the gospel in our thinking.
How can we combat this thought process? What other areas do we elevate over the gospel, in our actions?
My only thought is to watch less t.v. and read the Bible more, as that is always a good solution to anything. News broadcasts, op-ed shows, radio talk shows, all revolve almost entirely about national or local politics. Such great exposure over time seems to raise its importance to me very subtly. When I think of certain figures, my first thought is their specific wicked ideas or policies, and not their darkness in sin.
I'm not quite sure what I'm getting at, but anyone with comments to further clarify the issue is welcome to do so
On other boards, in sections with titles like "The Soap Box," and other such areas for supposedly serious discussion and debate, politics dominates the landscape.
These forums often include outspoken, vocal Christians. Yet, the bulk of their activity is aimed at politics as well. Now, I am the last person that would ever diminish the importance of establishing proper roles for civil magistrates, but how much have we borrowed from the world in this area?
I'm not speaking about borrowing worldly political schemes, though that happens, but more that we elevate its importance, even in our dialogue with unbelievers.
Simply put, the question: What in this world really irks you? What do you just want to rant and scream about sometimes?
Or, another way, asking myself, "What would I discuss with (insert crazed evil political figure here) if I had the chance?" or "Where has this person gone wrong?" My answer ought to be the gospel. Sadly, many times it is not.
Sure, the political climate reveals a lot about the sin in this world, but I'm afraid that we are losing the centrality of the gospel in our thinking.
How can we combat this thought process? What other areas do we elevate over the gospel, in our actions?
My only thought is to watch less t.v. and read the Bible more, as that is always a good solution to anything. News broadcasts, op-ed shows, radio talk shows, all revolve almost entirely about national or local politics. Such great exposure over time seems to raise its importance to me very subtly. When I think of certain figures, my first thought is their specific wicked ideas or policies, and not their darkness in sin.
I'm not quite sure what I'm getting at, but anyone with comments to further clarify the issue is welcome to do so
Last edited: