I found them in the spam folder, along with my comments. I don’t know why this is happening (I have had my comments on other WordPress blogs sent to the spam folder as well). I apologize for the mishap. Maybe I can find a way to fix it.

Thanks for the comment brother. I am having problems right now with the comments. Most of mine when they are posted are marked as spam, so I have to go in and de-spam them. I suppose that is what happened to yours. I will check it out.

Timmy

Timmy,

Thanks for using the word “Marxist.” I was avoiding it, trying to be nice! I agree with your disagreement with me. I guess I was using the word “Gospel” to more broadly than just the message of salvation.

Thanks for your forbearance.

Thanks for elaboring on that point. The question I asked was a by-product of the forum on Larry King Live. Concerning religious freedom, I think there needs to be a distinction between religious freedom and religious tolerance. There is a false idea that tolerance connotes that one must agree (albeit implicitly) with other belief systems. This is and has not been the historical understanding of tolerance. So if you disagree with a religious belief or think they are wrong, you are intolerant. That is a false conclusion.

Religious freedom says that one has the right to believe whatever they wish. That is not to say that one must agree or consent to someone else’s beliefs. I think that delineation is important and needs to be made.

At the heart of that freedom you have mentioned is big government and a welfare state derivative of a Marxist agenda. Ironically, some have made the assertion that environmentalist and global warming advocates are pushing such an agenda, telling us how to live, eat, drive, etc. and developing laws that conform to such arbitrary standards.

I would disagree a little where you said that social justice is a by-product of the gospel. I would say that it is a by-product of a biblical view of God, man, and redemption. Justice and righteousness are founded upon the character of God; man is created in the image of God, recipient of common grace and general revelation, etc.; the gospel message bears social implications or imperatives that are fleshed out in both our words and our deeds.

I don’t know much about Fred Thompson, but it seems like he has a large following and is considered a viable presidential candidate (at least that’s what the polls and pundits are saying). I reallly need to look into the candidates more to see where they stand on the issues. Thanks for the link.

Yes, I do see our liberty threatened. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that the left is succeeding in infringing on our liberties more all the time. Ask any Christian public school teacher if they’re free to say what they believe in their classroom. How long before preaching the truth about homosexuality is a “hate crime?” Are you free to give charitably as your conscience directs, or has Uncle Sam already made the bulk of that decision for you? There’s your freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and economic freedom.

Of course, I understand that God is sovereign over all these things, so I don’t worry, but if I’m going to worry, it’s going to be about our ability to spread the Gospel, not something like social justice, which is a by-product of the Gospel, and certainly not the environment.

Actually, I don’t really like the question, “What do you believe to be the single most important socio-political issue today?” It implies that there are political solutions to social problems, and I don’t believe there are. The Gospel is the answer to everything, and politics only matters as it effects that. Again, God is sovereign. I say all this as one who is more than willing to push a political agenda at the right time and place. Speaking of which…

Concerning the coming election, I’m more hopeful than I have been since Reagan. I think Fred Thompson will run, and I believe he can win. His record as a Senator is stellar, and I don’t care what James Dobson says.

Thanks for the helpful comments and input. I find it interesting that you consider liberty as the greatest socio-political issue today. I presume you find it being threatened, whether freedom of speech, freedom of religion, or economic freedom. I would be interested to know why and how you came to this conviction.

I am afraid that this will be the first presidential election where leading candidates of both parties will be pro-choice. If that happens, I wonder if an independent will come out of the fold to represent the more conservative block of voters.

2. Yes. I think it is becoming more fashionable all the time to equate Christian charity with socialism.

3. Yes, in fact, I do put my time and money where my mouth is. It has very little to do with politics. God has always replaced what I’ve given away. On the other hand, I’ve come up short many times when I’ve held my money too tightly.

4. That’s a tough one. If I could know that the Supreme Court would do their job and uphold the Constitution, I would have no fear of any President or Congressman’s opinion. I am not a one issue voter. I look at the whole package and how it effects #1 (liberty), because I know the real solution is not in law, but in the Gospel. When hearts are changed, the law will change. I’ve never had to make this choice, though. Most pro-choice candidates are wrong on everything else, too.

5. Global warming is real, but it is certainly no cause for alarm. I believe every honest scientist admits that. I think, 100 years from now when our grandchildren look back on the current hysteria over global warming, the entire planet will resound with laughter at “an inconvenient joke.” Should it be a priority to evangelicals? As in all issues, we should be concerned with the truth, but this is no call for a political movement of the church.

The priest and levite walked on the other side of the street? Us? We move two or three blocks away.