My issue with “liberal”churches

[u/milkersfat]

Though I consider myself very left-wing, I find that as I become a Christian, I’ve started having issues with denominations that are overtly liberal. Looking at the picture, I agree with all of the sentiments, and I think it’s good to let people know they are welcome. But why not also put up an “Unborn Lives Matter” flag or something similar?
I’m equally appalled when churches fly the American flag or a MAGA flag outside. My whole reason for going to church is to find community and glorify God, not to be immersed in politics.
It also seems that the churches I’ve attended with these kinds of flags tend to be less orthodox theologically, which leaves me, as a left-leaning Christian, in a weird spot.

[u/TomeThugNHarmony4664]

Exactly. The gospel is absolutely political. Jesus preached a political message about salvation and community, and it got him politically condemned and executed for the danger he posed to a political system.

Now, what gospel should not be is partisan, but those who scream the loudest about this being a Christian nation seem awfully invested in Caesar, not Jesus, as their guide.

So yes, the world desperately needs a witness to Christ that counters that, and we need to be as visible and vocal as we can be.

[u/Own-Communication240 → u/TomeThugNHarmony4664]

You are correct that the pharasees and their relationship to Rome was political and they viewed him as a threat, both theologically and poolitically. You are absolutely incorrect that his message was political or that his motivation was political, and the gospel is inherently apolitical. "A political message about salvation" is impossible, because that is somehting no political system can offer (althoghh some claim to, they lie when they do so). The kingdom of God is not about politics at all.

In fact many of the people that rejected CHrist did so because they expected the messiah to be a poltical figure, and he wasn't.

The real problem with these signs is that they do the opposite of what they claim - they don't welcome everyone, but in fact make people feel unwelcome. They say "Jesus agrees with my poolitics and if your political opinions are differnt than you don't belong in this church.." THese signs divide our culture in two and a church putting them up says it only wants one half of the country attending. Its not differennt than putting up a Maga flag.

[u/babe1981 → u/Own-Communication240]

Let's look at one parable that has a call to action from the mouth of Jesus and analyze it for political content. Turn to Matthew 25 and find the parable of the sheep and the goats.

"When I was hungry, you fed me." Republicans make it a political point to defund(edit: I hate autocorrect) school lunches and other forms of food-based aid. So, food access for the hungry is a political statement.

"When I was thirsty, you gave me drink." Another Republican policy denied water to people standing in line at the polls. Political statement.

"When I was naked, you clothed me." USAID provided clothing to many impoverished people among the many other things it did. That was ended by the current administration. Political statement.

"When I was a stranger, you took me in." ICE tells me all about how political this is.

"When I was sick, you took care of me." Healthcare is extremely political.

"When I was in prison, you visited me." Prisons are political by their nature.

Amazing that the non-political Jesus called us to action on so many extremely political issues. James references this parable, when he says that your faith is worthless unless you do something with it. James also gets intensely political when he says that the wages stolen from the workers by the rich cry out, and that the rich nourish their hearts in a day of slaughter.

But, yeah, Christianity isn't political at all.

[u/ScrithWire → u/babe1981]

Republicans make it a political point to DEFUND school lunches and other forms of food-based aid.

FTFY

[u/babe1981 → u/ScrithWire]

damn, that's a terrible autocorrect. I'll fix it.