AMEN BROTHER!

From The New York Times

Disowning Conservative Politics, Evangelical Pastor Rattles Flock

Like most pastors who lead thriving evangelical megachurches, the Rev. Gregory A. Boyd was asked frequently to give his blessing — and the church’s — to conservative political candidates and causes.

After refusing each time, Mr. Boyd finally became fed up, he said. Before the last presidential election, he preached six sermons called “The Cross and the Sword” in which he said the church should steer clear of politics, give up moralizing on sexual issues, stop claiming the United States as a “Christian nation” and stop glorifying American military campaigns.

“When the church wins the culture wars, it inevitably loses,” Mr. Boyd preached. “When it conquers the world, it becomes the world. When you put your trust in the sword, you lose the cross.”

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Hello RealArtians-- I haven't posted in a very long time, but this article really excited me. Read the entire article as soon as possible-- it is exciting on numerous levels. Rev. Gregory A. Boyd is everything you would expect of an evangelical Baptist preacher-- anti-abortion rights, anti-homosexual, etc, but he has stepped up and said something that hasn't been heard coming from the mouths of many evangelicals-- keep the church out of the affairs of the state. And not only does he believe deeply in the separation of church and state-- he preaches it from the pulpit. Even though it caused him a large chunk of his congregation. Some of the congregants who stayed thanked him because they had been afraid to mention to their believer friends any doubts about the president. Or the Republican party.

This is what we need more of in this country-- people of all beliefs and political leanings to stand up and question the tendencies of our current administration (and the people who have bought the hype). This man has rekindled my respect for people of faith. That is a good thing.