A new PAC that is trying to generate support for Obama in the Christian community:
A fund-raiser is being held tonight in Washington for a nascent political action committee that is hoping to reach out to Christian communities on behalf of Senator Barack Obama.Meeting with pastors in Chicago? Isn't that a little dangerous?Called “The Matthew 25 Network,” the new organization, which is still in its earliest stages, is being spearheaded by Mara Vanderslice, who was director of religious outreach for the Kerry-Edwards campaign in 2004 and did similar work for several statewide Democratic candidates, including Governor Ted Strickland of Ohio, Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas.
Mr. Obama, the presumed Democratic nominee, is beginning to step up his outreach to the religious community, and met Tuesday in Chicago with a group of about 30 leaders, including the Rev. T. D. Jakes, the black mega-church pastor.
[...]
The new group’s name takes its inspiration from the 25th chapter of the gospel of Matthew in which Jesus talks about how he will select people like a shepherd separating sheep from goats, saying, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
An interpretation of this post from the Reformed perspective:
Since when is it the governments job to do what Jesus is saying the church should be doing? Christians are the ones who are supposed to be helping the poor and the sick but we appear to have no problem stepping out of the way and letting the state do it. What makes the church think that they will be among the sheep if we do that? We're not helping the poor the state is. Are they saying that the state will be among the sheep?
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"Obama did community service for two years in Chicago, McClain served in the military. Which one followed Matthew 25?
What are you doing that reflects Matthew 25? Casting stones does not feed the hungry or shelter the homeless are care for those who can't care for themselves. If our churches and church people won't do it then a "Nation Under God" must!"
It appears that you are doing your own stone casting doesn't it? It's a good thing that I won't be judged by you because your judgment appears to be limited to one particular aspect of each of our lives. I'm a blogger and you've limited your judgment to a few of the posts that you've read of mine without any knowledge of my personal life. McCain fought in a war and yet you haven't mentioned his votes in the Senate or his personal life. Do you think that because Obama worked in his neighborhood that he fulfilled Matthew 25. Tell me how.
"I guess unborn children are not included in the "least of these" mentioned in Matthew 25..."
I believe that the "least of these" includes the unborn as well and I believe that God would have the church advocate for the unborn. We do so by supporting crisis pregnancy centers and trying to get them outlawed. We have to involve the state because we are unable to outlaw them ourselves, obviously.
Now, let me ask you, how do you see this passage fulfilled by the government? Will God grant government workers salvation because they helped the poor?
Michele: "No, I'm not "casting stones" at anyone. I'm merely noting that you don't fulfill Matthew 25 by trying to get government to do something about poverty. I don't believe the federal government has the ability to alleviate the root causes of poverty and wastes billions of dollars doing so."
Actually, you were casting stones...certainly at Obama. That's why you posted it. You don't like him, so you post negative things about him. I do like him, so I defend him.
But, you said originally, "Since when is it the governments job to do what Jesus is saying the church should be doing?" That was answered.
Now, you can argue that the government does not have the ability to alleviate the root causes of poverty. Apparently, Jesus didn't think anyone did, because he said that the poor will always be with us. But, governments and Christians have the obligation to take care of people. Governments have an obligation to take care of their citizens, regardless of Christian obligations.
As to whether you don't fulfill Matthew 25 by trying to get the government to do something about poverty, I partially agree. That's not all you should do. But, no one is saying that it is. There are lots of ways to fulfill Matthew 25 and working to have government alleviate suffering is one. Maybe the programs are flawed, but they are an attempt. Certainly, better programs can be devised. James Madison said, "If men were angels, they wouldn't need government." But they're not. Now maybe if all Christians fulfilled Matthew 25, we wouldn't need government to do anything, but they don't.
I am shocked to find myself in general agreement with Michelle twice in one day.
I have contributed to the local crisis pregnancy center for about 20 years and I do believe that the unborn count. Where I differ from many right to lifers is on issues like ectopic pregnancy and, actually, late-term abortion. A late-term abortion is hideous. The image is vivid. If, however, the result is prevent something even more hideous, that is, the child (please note my use of language) being aborted was sure to be stillborn anyway and cervical delivery would prevent future pregnancy, then, maybe, maybe, in my mind it could be justified. The situation is hard enough for the mother and father and doctor without law enforcement and high-minded protestors making it worse. What I do not want is the State applying crude rules to delicate situations. I do believe, however, abortion ends a child's life, and is greatly to be avoided unless another child's life or the mother's life is at stake. Then it may be a horrible best of bad alternatives, including the alternative of doing nothing. I am convinced, however, that simplifying a horrible choice for political gain is evil, whether done by Democrat or Republican. And supporting women in pregnancy is just a plainly Christian thing to do. Maybe Michelle and I will agree yet again on something.
Now back to Matthew 25. Of course Christians need to be about their good works regardless of government. But if the government also provides, one, we don't have to go on vacation, and, two, why not rejoice when needs are truly met, however they are met? I'm guessing somebody here will tell me...
first of all, michele, who says that we are stepping out of the way to let government do it? i'm happy to do my part, and happier that i live in a country where our government cares about the welfare of its people and is willing to do something about it.
while i do what i can, i don't have the money or the presence or the power to care for all of the weak, sick, and poor in this country. that's why i will pay taxes so that the government can do what i cannot.
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