...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.In response to being castigated for "hypocrisy and pettiness," about 1000 members (20%) walked out the door. (As well they should have. The first instruction given to the Gentile Christians was to abstain from sexual immorality - Acts 15.)
Scary? It's scary that she isn't familiar with I Pet 3:13-17. If you can't answer confidently for your voting decisions, speaking to a fellow believer with whom you are in an accountability relationship, then how will you answer for them to God? How will you find the courage to speak the whole counsel of God to a rebellious and hostile culture?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.
“Most of my friends are believers,” said Shannon Staiger, a psychotherapist and church member, “and they think if you’re a believer, you’ll vote for Bush. And it’s scary to go against that.”
Revealing of Mr. Churchill's priorities.Some Woodland Hills members said they applauded the sermons because they had resolved their conflicted feelings. David Churchill, a truck driver for U.P.S. and a Teamster for 26 years, said he had been “raised in a religious-right home” but was torn between the Republican expectations of faith and family and the Democratic expectations of his union.
When Mr. Boyd preached his sermons, “it was liberating to me,” Mr. Churchill said.
Still trying to discern? Here's another clue:
Mary Van Sickle, the family pastor at Woodland Hills, said she lost 20 volunteers who had been the backbone of the church’s Sunday school.At most congregations, those who teach tend to be the more knowledgeable, the stronger, the more mature. Those folks departed...
Mr Boyd suggested that Christians should not seek power over others, but should seek to have power under others. Ironic words from a man who had responsibility for 5000 souls. Did that happen by accident or was he seeking a leadership position? And what, then, is the meaning of Prov 22:29...
Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will serve before kings;
he will not serve before obscure men.
Yes, the Bible does teach that we must humble ourselves if we wish to be exalted, that we must serve in order to lead. But we are also taught to be salt and light in the culture, to use our gifts and talents...and these principles are not in conflict.
“I don’t think there’s a particular angle we have on society that others lack. All good, decent people want good and order and justice. Just don’t slap the label ‘Christian’ on it.” - Mr. BoydThat quote actually brings me to tears. Because he is actually saying that Jesus Christ died in vain - that His righteousness is not necessary because we're already essentially good. He is saying that Christianity is of equivalent moral value to Islam, Buddha, secular humanism, communism, whatever. We don't have anything special to offer our nation or our neighbors because, afterall, all "good, decent" people want the same things, don't they?
If there were any doubt left, understand that our self-avowed enemies perceive Mr. Boyd as a friend to their cause. But to leave you on a more hopeful note...
When we joined years ago, Greg was a conservative speaker,” said William Berggren, a lawyer who joined the church with his wife six years ago. “But we totally disagreed with him on this. You can’t be a Christian and ignore actions that you feel are wrong. A case in point is the abortion issue. If the church were awake when abortion was passed in the 70’s, it wouldn’t have happened. But the church was asleep.”Mr. Berggren, I hope to meet you and shake your hand.
