Chuck Colson vs. Cardinal - long OP

Great Debates
1

My dad emailed me an Op-Ed piece from Chuch Colson, and I responded. I’m putting it here if anyone cares. It’s long to get through, so I understand if I get two replies.

Please, don’t make this into a thread attacking the idea of Christianity as a whole. If we could all stick to the point for once, I’d really appreciate it.

Chuck sez:

BreakPoint with Charles Colson
Commentary #030311 - 03/11/2003

One Last Chance: Prayers for Peace
I sez:

“Christians have a totally different understanding of this issue. We don’t see war with Iraq as aggression or even as primarily a military action. We don’t see it as conquering or defending territory. Rather it is, as Thomas Aquinas put it, an act of Christian love.”

I can’t BELIEVE he tried to speak for all Christians, and therefore for God on this issue. Simply arrogance of the highest order.

This is not a biblical issue. This is not whether or not there is a judgement day, or if there is a Trinity. This is COLSON’S interpretation of what God would want on a very complex issue. How does he know the mind of God definitively on this subject? People putting words in God’s mouth that are really their opinions really make me mad. My opinion of him has just dropped.

The thing I really liked about a prayer service I attended last Saturday at the Vineyard was that the pastor who spoke made the point that it’s very tempting to pray your opinions, assuming that of course you understand everything, and that God wants what you do. I went up and thanked him for saying that the proper thing to pray for is minimizing the suffering if this is a necessary thing to do, and changing Bush’s heart if it’s the wrong thing to do.

There is this inherent assumption apparently on Colson’s part that Christians are Republican conservatives like he is. The more we inappropriate things we add on to the Gospel, the fewer people will respond. If we imply that God is not down with their philandering, stealing, or alcohol abuse, these are accurate things. If we imply that they will be expected to cut their hair, listen to Patsy Cline, drive American cars, or vote Republican, we just put more obstacles in their way on their journey to finding the Lord. The fact is that the Lord isn’t very concerned about most of this.

Just two weekends ago a girl at church was telling about how in high school she would never have considered becoming a Christian because of all the arrogant, demanding guys who acted like God had given them the right to act as some sort of family dicatator once they got married. This bad example of God’s people kept her from the Lord for years.

2

Moderator’s Note: Cardinal, please review our FAQ on copyright issues; rather than posting the entire article, just provide a link to it. (If you want to quote some particular relevant section, in accordance with “fair usage”, you may do so.) I have replaced the text of the article from your OP with a link to it on Mr. Colson’s web site.

3

While I would agree that Colson should have added the word “Many” at the start of the passage quoted, the leaders of the denomination to which I belong have made the same assumptions that Colson did - that all Christians necessarily agree with them. (I do not - I support the President in pushing for action against Saddam.) So has the Pope, and leaders of many religious denominations.

The same sort of things happened on Central American policy back during the 80s, and almost every time the American Roman Catholic bishops come out with a statement on politics. They are expressing their opinions. I listen to their arguments, I hope with respect, but I owe them no duty of obedience if I believe they are wrong.

The Christian Right assumes every other Christian agrees with them. The Christian Left assumes every other Christian should agree with them.

I agree with your premise, that both sides ought to be far more careful about what they define as central to the faith. It tends towards schism, and that is unfortunate.

The Lord is neither Democrat nor Republican. It would be better (IMO) if religious leaders quoted 1 Corinthians 7:25 more before their pronouncements.

Regards,
Shodan

4

Taking a quick skim over some of his other commentaries, it seems as if his opinions on various domestic and world issues are based on his Biblical worldview, which is fine. However, in none of the other 4 or 5 commentaries that I read did he make a statement inclusive of all Christians as he did in this one. Very odd.

5

IOW, we can just assume that it’s necessary otherwise. Thanks, Chucko, for such deep thoughts. :rolleyes:

6

Sorry about the copyright thing. I wasn’t thinking.

Thanks for the thoughts, everyone.