Comments on: Don’t stay out of politics, Father

By: Con Carroll

Con Carroll — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:41:55 +0000

when one is a political activist in anti racism. one cant remain silent at the way European governments treat people.
when we look at the amount of financial money been thrown into the American elections it is obscene.
are we suppose to remain dumb at the war crimes of George Bush, Rumsfield, Blair Aznar.
the question we should be asking why arent these guys begore the war crime tribunal in the Hague
one should read Jon Sobrino. liberation theologian, El Salvador. book where is God about the earth quake in El Salvador
war and political injustices are maintained. because there are many who refuse to speak out.
again we can look at Israel war crimes against Palestinians, ask ourselves what side are we on.

By: j. edwards

j. edwards — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:17:14 +0000

he condemned the temple system. he told that the rich that it was practically impossible for them to enter the kingdom. he condemned the jews’ hatred of samaritans. he pointed out that caesar was not God when asked about paying taxes.

some analyze the Matt 5:39-42 as jesus encouraging his followers to make their unfair treatment publicly known when people sue them to excess or when centurions force them to carry their gear a mile. the mile was the maximum that a centurion could make a person carry anything.

i was in a bible study a few weeks ago where the leader read this “extra mile” as jesus telling his followers to be nice people and i just about came out of my seat in frustration. nobody was ever put to death for telling people to be nice.

you still have not answered my question: why was jesus killed?

By: SB

SB — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 21:43:42 +0000

the only thing “painfully obvious” is that you are a bit arrogant. stop that and re-join this wonderful conversation.

Huh? All I’m saying is that Jesus never gave any sign of interest in governmental policies or politics (not from anything you’ll find in the Gospels anyway). If you agree with me on that narrow point, then I’m puzzled as to why you keep asking rhetorical questions that are aimed at arguing with me. If you disagree with me, then you should try to cite anything that Jesus said or did that was directly aimed at governmental policies (i.e., did he say anything about Roman occupation? Did he condemn Roman centurions when he came across them? Did he condemn Caesar for not providing enough health care or welfare? Etc., etc.)

By: Michael J. Iafrate

Michael J. Iafrate — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 21:25:53 +0000

It is exactly the racial bias speech espoused by him and by Jeremiah Wright that continues to create racial division.

Pfleger and Wright are the ones “creating” racial division!? You have GOT to be kidding!

By: FIDELIS » Blog Archive » Priests have a right to be political

FIDELIS » Blog Archive » Priests have a right to be political — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:04:53 +0000

[...] me in complete agreement with Michael J. Iafrate at Vox Nova in the recent dust up over the controversy of Father Pfleger. the idea that Christians, and in [...]

By: Christine

Christine — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:44:08 +0000

Oh my. I was disgusted by the diatribe of Fr. Fleger.(Sp) It is exactly the racial bias speech espoused by him and by Jeremiah Wright that continues to create racial division. Many young people in this age look at others simply by personality, and not by the color of their skin or the neighborhood in which they live. I don’t care what color anyone is. Jerks come in all colors and creeds, as do bullies. As to whether or not Christ was political; yes, he absolutely was. We need to look at all of scripture, not just verses taken out of context, and at history of the time period from other sources. Many comments taken at face value in our time had very different meanings in Christ’s “time.”(Of course, He is timeless, so this “time” is for context only) Politics go beyond government to almost every aspect of daily life. We can find basic politics even within our own homes.

Be blessed.

By: j. edwards

j. edwards — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:57:55 +0000

SB:

i have no interest in reforming human governments. i dont even have an interest in voting. human governments ignore the poor and favor violence, like they did when they killed the christ.

i am interested in my church and the process of discipleship that goes on there and i am interested in taking care of the teen drug addicts i work with. they live in a part of the country that is known for wealth and technology and professional sports and they are largely forgotten. this is the kingdom to me, shining a light for people left in the dark.

the only thing “painfully obvious” is that you are a bit arrogant. stop that and re-join this wonderful conversation.

By: SB

SB — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 18:36:41 +0000

how do you read the beattitudes? what kind of “kingdom” is this where the last is first, where the meek and peacemakers are blessed?

This is interesting . . . you keep asking rhetorical questions as if expecting to stump me, but the answers are both painfully obvious and contrary to any notion that Jesus himself was interested in politics. What kind of kingdom, you say? The kingdom of God, not any kingdom that ever could be established by trying to reform human governments.

By: SB

SB — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 18:36:12 +0000

how do you read the beattitudes? what kind of “kingdom” is this where the last is first, where the meek and peacemakers are blessed?

This is interesting . . . you keep asking rhetorical questions as if they should stump me, but the answers are both painfully obvious and contrary to any notion that Jesus himself was interested in politics. What kind of kingdom, you say? The kingdom of God, not any kingdom that ever could be established by trying to reform human governments.

By: Michael Iafrate

Michael Iafrate — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 17:46:17 +0000

X-Cathedra — Sanders’ claims, assuming you have them right and I am assuming so, would be disputed by “Third Quest” historical Jesus scholars, particularly those who use social-science criticism. I’m thinking of the work of N.T. Wright, Richard Horsely, E. & W. Stegmann, etc etc.

By: Michael J. Iafrate

Michael J. Iafrate — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:53:28 +0000

Simply tearing up the temple was a highly political act inside of a theological act.

Yes. For first century Jews, there was no separation between religion and politics. These are modern ideas.

By: d. w. horstkoetter

d. w. horstkoetter — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 08:52:51 +0000

Simply tearing up the temple was a highly political act inside of a theological act. Its beyond me that Christians attempt to understand Jesus as apolitical — upending or reversing the established structures is a political act, especially if understood as coming from a different framework.