I find it interesting as I read blogs of people of certain theological persuasions during election season because you tend to learn their political leanings as well. In reading through the various blogs this year I’ve noticed that most people on the more liberal end of the theological spectrum are liberal politically, and conservatives are the other way around.
Is there anything intrinsic within the different theological positions that gravitate people towards certain political opinions? Why can’t someone more theologically liberal take the opinion that while they staunchly believe in the gospel in all its social outworking that the government is the least qualified institution to administer the social gospel? Is our ecclesiology that weak? Have those from both ends of the theological spectrum given up on the church as an agent of change in the world and retreated to government solve the world’s problems? I just don’t see how fiscal discipline, limited government, and personal responsibility are antithetical to liberal theology.
I recently saw a quote from Bono about using $700 billion to bailout Wall Street but we couldn’t find $25 billion to help stop preventable diseases. What ever happened to the church? In the ELCA alone, members gave $2.3 billion in offerings to their congregations. The ELCA is sitting on $20.6 billion in assets. Do we not have some resources to spare?
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Matt.
Great post. I really agree that the church “ought” to be teh one taking care of these issues. I’ve heard it said that if every “church member” (meaning every person who is listed as a “member” of the church) tithed, there would be enough money to take care of nearly all the worlds economic problems.
But therein lies the problem, what if every person did tithe? What would we get? Would the hungry get fed? Would the naked get clothed?
Or would we get cooler worship leaders, a new building, a better soundboard and lights? Would be build our own camp so our church could have an awesome fall retreat? Would we increase the salaries of all the staff?
If a church has an abundance of money, it seems that we turn to ourselves.
and, until that changes, the church will be a poor example of the “hope of the world” that it could be.