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04/02/2013
TN 'pro-family' guy: Pastors must be pundits (or step down)!
A local reporter recently told David Fowler, the head of the Family Action Council of Tennessee, that she contacted thirty ministers in his area yet could not get a one of them to speak on record about the civil marriage cases currently before the United States Supreme Court. To Mr. Fowler, this is an all-out act of betrayal that should lead these ministers to resign from their positions:
I couldn’t help but think about the significance at Easter of the number 30. It is the number of pieces of silver that Judas took in compensation for his betrayal of Jesus.
Please understand I am not saying all 30 of those ministers or the ones called the week before are “Judases.” Obviously, one of them called back and one did comment the previous week. And I know some ministers in that community who would have commented in a heartbeat had they been called or even had a moment to return the call. I know some of them are reading this. They know who they are, and I thank God for them.
But let’s be honest. If any of those who did not call back did not do so because they were afraid that something bad would come of their public statement in support of the very institution Scripture says reflects the relationship of Christ to His church, then that minister betrayed the Christ they say they serve. Is the Living God no longer able to support and sustain those who speak up for His institution?
When those who lead a particular church have no courage, then those in that church who follow them will have no courage, either. When a minister doesn’t have the courage to speak the truth to those who are ostensibly there to hear the truth or when they don’t know how to speak the truth graciously and redemptively enough to talk about critical issues, then maybe another calling is appropriate.
FULL: Look Who Is Not Talking About Gay Marriage [Focus on the Family]
Because that's the apparent state of the conservative Christian church, at least according to conservative Christian politicos. It's no longer enough for a minister to "save souls" or preach their interpretation of the good word. And of course the average citizen no longer signs up for the church in order to behind his or her life to that church's teachings. According to people like Fowler, we are all to be guided by area ministers' personal theology—and any minister who doesn't inject said theology into civil matters of government is heretical.
Good luck with all that. If you want to help your political movement gain traction, then overreaching thoughts like the above—ones that so self-centrally disregard any bounds of church and state—are the complete opposite of the ones you should be sharing. However, if you want to keep turning young people from the church? Then keep on keeping on, Mr. Fowler.
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