Evangelicalism and politics

Posted at 2:21 PM on July 29, 2006 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

The New York Times has an interesting article about Gregory Boyd, an evangelical pastor from Maplewood, who tried to discourage political discourse in his church and lost some of his conservative members.

Here’s a glimpse:

"Before the last presidential election, he preached six sermons called “The Cross and the Sword” in which he said the church should steer clear of politics, give up moralizing on sexual issues, stop claiming the United States as a “Christian nation” and stop glorifying American military campaigns.
“When the church wins the culture wars, it inevitably loses,” Mr. Boyd preached. “When it conquers the world, it becomes the world. When you put your trust in the sword, you lose the cross.”

Mr. Boyd says he is no liberal. He is opposed to abortion and thinks homosexuality is not God’s ideal. The response from his congregation at Woodland Hills Church here in suburban St. Paul — packed mostly with politically and theologically conservative, middle-class evangelicals — was passionate. Some members walked out of a sermon and never returned. By the time the dust had settled, Woodland Hills, which Mr. Boyd founded in 1992, had lost about 1,000 of its 5,000 members.

But there were also congregants who thanked Mr. Boyd, telling him they were moved to tears to hear him voice concerns they had been too afraid to share."

Disowning Conservative Politics, Evangelical Pastor Rattles Flock

Comments (1)

In reference to Reverand A. Boyd's poistion on separation of Church and State - - - What a breath of fresh air! Since I only attend churches that want to help the poor, help minorities overcome civil injustuces, do good in community, and put the needs of the people over the needs of politicans, I am so glad that someone is taking a stand against the Republicans.

Posted by Mary Creagan | August 29, 2006 1:34 PM

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