. . . Between Mormons and Evangelicals

The Phoenix area’s East Valley Tribune reports on a “debate” between the Rev. Gregory Johnson (Baptist) and Robert Millet (Mormon):

“Once in a while, we need to ask ourselves the hard question, ‘Am I sometimes too proud, maybe even arrogant, to suppose that someone of another faith can actually teach me something - that I can learn something from him?’ ” asked Millet.

Often, he said, when people have contrasting religious beliefs and disagreements, “we say, ‘flight or fight,’ ” Johnson said. It is manifested by family pledges to not discuss religion at Thanksgiving meals, for example. He recounted how often families have been “split right down the middle” when, for example, someone has left an evangelical church or the Mormon church and joined the other.

“It has severely tested marriages, it has put children opposite their parents, it has broken some families up,” Johnson said. “That breaks our hearts to think there are people, in the context of loving family relationships,” who let religious choices break bonds among loved ones. It runs counter to Christ’s purpose on earth, he said. “Jesus died on the cross because he loved a lost world.”

It’s split political coalitions too!

. . . Between Catholics and Mormons

Catholic Online looks at the debate between Mormons and Catholics with regards to birth records. Here, from our perspective, are the key graphs:

The Catholic Church will eventually open a dialogue with the Mormons about the rebaptism issue, Father Massa said, “but we are at the beginning of the beginning of a new relationship with the LDS. The first step in any dialogue is to establish trust and to seek friendship.”

The two faiths share intrinsic viewpoints on key issues the United States is facing, particularly the pro-life position on abortion and an opposition to same-sex marriage.

However, theological differences have cropped up between Mormons and Catholics in the past.

Note how easy is is to distinguish political and theological issues, to cooperate on one and disagree on the other.

. . . Amongst Evangelicals

Reports the Examiner:

Conservative Christian leaders who believe the word “evangelical” has lost its religious meaning plan to release a starkly self-critical document saying the movement has become too political and has diminished the Gospel through its approach to the culture wars.

The statement, called “An Evangelical Manifesto,” condemns Christians on the right and left for “using faith” to express political views without regard to the truth of the Bible, according to a draft of the document obtained Friday by The Associated Press.

“That way faith loses its independence, Christians become `useful idiots’ for one political party or another, and the Christian faith becomes an ideology,” according to the draft.

At first blush, because the story does not immediately cite who the “conservative Christians” are and because when it does it is quick to note that the likes of Richard Land and James Dobson are not involved, one is tempted to think this is another leftie attempt to hijack religious voters, a lá Jim Wallis.

However, the people involved are Richard Mouw, President of Fuller Theological Seminary (alma mater of yours truly) and Oz Guiness, noted Christian thinker and writer with whom it has been my pleasure to study and dine. These are intelligent, bright people, committed to their work and their God. While both men are more moderate politically than probably me, and certainly Land or Dobson, both can quite legitimately lay claim to the label “conservative.”

They also have a heck of a point. One very similar to the one I made on Friday.

And Still . . .

. . . some don’t get it. Since when does different beliefs translate into deception? Even differently defining words is not deceptive, presuming one is clear on the definitions. That is, unless, of course, you lack the native intelligence to ask, “Now what do you mean when you say. . . ?”

Speaking of not getting it, some continue to work to paste a “Muslim” label on Barack Obama. Obama has given us precious little substantively to debate with in his candidacy, but to respond in kind, and particularly with religious labeling, is just begging for trouble down the line.

EXTRAORDINARILY WELL DESERVED!

This year the Becket Fund is honored to bestow Governor and Mrs. Mitt Romney with its highest honor, the Canterbury Medal, for their role in expanding the free expression of religious faith in the public square. Each year the Becket Fund awards the Canterbury Medal to someone who has “resolutely refused to render unto Caesar that which is God’s.”

The governor’s extraordinary speech on the role of religion in political life was an important contribution to religious liberty and the national political discourse during this election season. Both Governor and Mrs. Romney have demonstrated exemplary poise and dignity in the face of all manner of provocations aimed at their faith. For these reasons and more, The Becket Fund is delighted to present the Romneys with the Canterbury Medal at this year’s dinner.

(HT: Committed To Romney)

By the way - if you are at all a student of religion and politics and are unfamiliar with the story of Thomas á Becket, Henry II of England and how Canterbury Cathedral became a place of pilgrimage (with a bunch of help from Chaucer), you need to learn. Knowing the story will help you understand the references in this award to the Romneys, and its deep significance. At a minimum, see the movie - Richard Burton and Peter O’Toole!

Lowell adds: Amen to all John has said, especially his encouragement to study Becket’s life. For those of a literary bent, T.S Eliot’s Murder in the Cathedral is a challenging and uplifting read - for me, as a college student, it was transformative. You can have it for only $9.00 here.

Also, a note of explanation: having suffered a severe attack of employment, I have been less present here than I want to be. Thanks to John for carrying the load. I will be back!
Sphere: Related Content

Posted in Reading List | 1 Comment » |  Print this post |  Email This Post

Recently:

• Polygamy, Mormonism, the news media, and Romney as V.P. Nominee
• Article VI “Greatest Hits:” A Letter to Some of My Fellow Evangelicals
• Iowa: Now, tell me again - why do we pay so much attention to that state?
• “The media trying to force a campaign narrative, regardless of whether it is true”
• Some Friday JibJab; And Do Evangelicals Really Vote Based on Faith?
• Pentecostals Emerging? Evangelicals Considering Obama?
• Dredging Up The Question: “Romney’s Mormon faith remains a political question mark . . . .”
• Iowa Makes News Again!
• Newsweek’s Cover Story on Obama: “What He Believes”
• The Calm Before The Storm?