The culture wars have entered the economic realm. What are your thoughts? If you, like me, feel this is wrong-headed for a variety of reasons, then why? What may be a better way to engage this issue?
The Institute for Cultural Engagement, an official program of Multnomah University and Biblical Seminary
I should probably say I’m not looking to bash the pastor (I’ve heard he’s a good guy, even if misled on this issue), but to look for more positive responses to the underlying issue. And the article definitely shows the often referenced “liberal bias.”
When in Rome do as the Romans. How else are we going to “take back America” from the evil liberal agenda of the media, politicians, celebrities and Bill Gates? (read – dripping sarcasm). What do we make of Jesus’ statement, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting . . .” Jn. 18:36. It seems to me that “corporate takeover” and threats and intimidating rehtoric falls into the category of “fightiing.”
In light of the above, I think we should ask ourselves, Is threatening to “put a firestorm on” on our percieved enemies by becoming their “worst nightmare” a legitimate method for advancing the gospel (I did read that he is a pastor of a church)? I can’t say that this guy is “wrong” but it doesn’t seem to me that there has been enough thought prior to the decision to “wage war.” Was there any efforts at seeking an audience with these folks first? One final thought. Is “Holding Up a Standard of Righteousness” the same as “Bearing Witness to the Gospel of Christ?”
Good choice – keeping us on our toes!
I wonder, since it has been a month since Ken Hutcherson made his “stand,” what difference has his approach made for the Kingdom? My point is that every Christian espoused approach should, if in keeping with Christ’s teaching, God’s commands and principles, be fruitful. So, what is the fruit of difference? I also think one must be careful in choosing any war, especially a culture war. ?Another approach: He could have engaged the people vs start a war.
I am looking forward to your next blog.
RW
Interesting point. I wonder if there is an argument to be made that the culture wars haven’t just entered the economic realm. Instead, might one argue that the culture wars have always made an economic impact, have always had an economic component, and have always even had a primary economic motive? Might the primary goal of the culture war be fund raising? Just one example: with an issue like abortion, one could argue that neither the right nor the left have made any real movement one way or another since Roe v. Wade, yet used the issue to raise hundreds of millions of dollars. Just a thought.
Good point, Ron. The political and economic aren’t easily distinguished. In all reality, I guess we should be surprised this kind of top-down approach hasn’t entered corporate America sooner in one way or another.
I wonder what happened to the good, old-fashioned boycott? If this issue is worth moral confrontation (definitely debatable, but assuming so hypothetically), then why jump to grabbing power? Why not use the power we already have as consumers? The cynic in me thinks it’s simply because boycotts cost us. A takeover gives us something.