Comments on: Why I Can’t Sign Sally Kern’s Proclamation

By: Jeff Shaw

Jeff Shaw — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:50:18 +0000

I came back to read what I wrote and I just realized I said we are “known by our works,” an apparent (and feeble) attempt to throw some more Bible into this argument. Paul said We are saved by grace, and NOT by works, lest any man should boast. So in the interest of being accuate, I want to retract that part of the comment, and apologize.

I feel a little foolish.

By: Jeff Shaw

Jeff Shaw — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:01:17 +0000

I agree with what you say Tyson. I can’t sign that thing either, I don’t even think its necessary and its certainly is not a demonstration of Christian humility. We are known by our works, lest any man should boast. No proclamation needed.

Can I be a fly in the ointment, just for the sake of the debate?

The proposition is this: That the the same Liberty that makes us a fine country, also breeds the worst of us. That Liberty brings both good and bad, and therefore the only way to fix it is to attain the idealistic solution you set out.

By: Tyson Wynn

Tyson Wynn — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:57:57 +0000

Thanks to all the commenters. Jenn, you know I value you, your efforts, and input. I do, however, have to ask, where did Ms. Kern mention greed? Her listed moral failures of America were mainly sex-related, which are but a subset of a much greater catalog of moral failures. As long as she was calling on people to live moral lives, I wish she had included things like greed and narcissism, though I share her position on the issues she chose to include. But my main issue remains her linking the current economic situation with America's moral failures. It is false to use material wealth as a sign of one's moral and/or spiritual standing before God. We embrace Christ because of Who He is, not what He has to give. He is the Lord because He is the Lord, not because of the gifts He gives. There are poor persecuted Pakistani Christians who today are trading pages they have torn out of the one copy of the Bible they have to share, hiding them in any way they can, who are starving and dodging the authorities, just hoping to know Christ more. I cannot, in good conscience, bring myself to ponder what moral failure could have brought them to their situation. Christians (and scoundrels) live among the poor and the wealthy, the rich and the poor, the just and the tyrannical around the world. One's low economic situation is not necessarily a result of a moral failure any more than great wealth is indicative of moral superiority. As I shared with another valued friend via email, I greatly respect your opinion, but I do not share it. And I also want to share a video I have previously posted on my blog that deals with this matter.

By: Jenn Sierra

Jenn Sierra — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:36:53 +0000

I appreciate what you’re saying, Tyson, and you make some good points. But Jesus wasn’t in an “economic crisis.” He was voluntarily living simplistically. There’s a BIG difference.

We are in an economic crisis nationally, and I do believe that it was ultimately caused by greed, which is simply yet another symptom of the rampant narcissism of the current generation.

As Christians, we believe that prosperity is not just about “having money,” and that it results from having our priorities straight: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33″

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:07:34 +0000

Despite whatever good (and in many cases Biblical) intentions Ms. Kern may have, I believe that she is doing more harm than good to both the cause of Christ and her party.

By: Joseph Bojang

Joseph Bojang — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:16:55 +0000

Good stuff.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:33:24 +0000

I agree with you, Tyson. It troubles me that she thinks that way.