B sides

In our first lesson on Genesis, the book asked us a question that I thought needed a bit more exploration. Mainly because I don't know the answer. The question is on pg. 21 in our Wiersbe book. The question is asked in relation to how Christians care for the earth, and how this caring for the earth has become a political football. "Is it possible to strip away the political from the spiritual when it comes to caring for the earth?" In class, the group noted that politics have taken over more topics than how Christians care about creation. Immigration. Caring for the poor. Healing the sick. If someone hears these topics preached from the pulpit, preachers are accused of "preaching politics." In response, most preachers, including myself, claim we are just preaching the Gospel. We are not preaching politics as much as we are preaching topics that have become politicized.  So back to Wiersbe's question. How does the church reclaim these as spiritual topics that have real and true spiritual impacts, not just on the church, but on the nation? Again, I ask this question because I don't know the answer.

This discussion led the class to another question. One person told the story of a friend who had changed churches because she heard politics that she didn't agree with talked about in her church. She chose to go to another church that agreed with her politics. Two questions arose from this discussion: who/what are we truly worshiping? If going to church is all about being transformed by the Word, then do you want to go to a church that doesn't challenge your thinking, your voting, your actions? If the answer to the last question is "yes," then how does transformation happen without some form of challenge to our beliefs?

I'm anxious to hear your thoughts! Please reply in the comments!