Sunday.....Christianity.....Politically and Doctrinally Demure

NBC News is reporting that some prominent Evangelicals are supporting President Barack Obama's initiatives on immigration reform, aka amnesty. They give a few reasons and examples of this; Hispanic pastors who have befriended non-Hispanic pastors hold a certain sway over their opinion on this through work done together on other issues such as abortion and marriage. One lawyer who jumped on board said that he was a Christian...Conservative and Republican...in that order. So am I. He wasn't going to let political rhetoric or party affiliation trump (his) values, and if he's (Obama) right on this issue, I will support him on this issue. First of all this lawyer apparently will not let the law get in the way either. Secondly, he misinterprets Obama's intentions when he says If he's right on this issue. This statement implies that President Obama's policy is based on concern for the welfare of Hispanics. It is not, it is political. Another Evangelical mentioned is Bill Hybels who gave us a megachurch without any crosses, for the perceived message might then be just one symbol! Southern Baptist leader Richard Land added that Hispanics are hard wired social conservatives unless they are driven away, a thought I have put forth in past blogs. What this gentleman is doing is saying It may not be the lawful or ethical way to do it but it will benefit us, so let's do it anyway. He added that You don't get a lot of Hispanics in your congregation by engaging in anti-Hispanic anti-immigration rhetoric. Mr. Lands denomination is what it is today precisely because it put truth on the back burner in favor of pragmatism that never worked anyway because the gospel is not oriented towards pragmatism. His linking anti-Hispanic with anti-immigration was wrong on two points. It is the same slur that calls Tea Parties racist. It also is incorrect in that it is not anti-immigration it is anti-illegal immigration. Hispanics need what every other ethnic groups  needs. All over America, sessions, boards and congregations will meet to see how they can grow their churches. They will hold extravaganzas and they will seek people on a more personal level. They'll offer exciting worship, a place to connect and a warm and friendly atmosphere. Surely a saxophone and set of drums on the stage is not part and parcel of a dead church! They'll soften their message in order to bring people in, unaware that they will have to keep it soft, or at least doctrinally demure, in order to keep them from leaving.The answer will elude them: make two resolutions 1) preach and exalt Christ, and 2) go door to door and tell people that here is where they can hear Christ preached and exalted!