President @theird, Editor @provmagazine, Convener @new_whigs, Collator @methodistview, Author @dcpeaceconvo61
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Citizens of a republic don’t concern themselves with the “desires” of their current elected chief magistrate. He should be more concerned about ours.
Vance: “The president said we have to have Greenland, and I think we do have to be more serious about the security of Greenland. We cannot just ignore this place. We cannot just ignore the president’s desires.”
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Jefferson in 1807 signed law banning transatlantic slave trade as “violations of human rights which have been so long continued on the unoffending inhabitants of Africa & which the morality, the reputation, & the best interests of our country, have long been eager to proscribe.”
A statue of Thomas Jefferson, who was the third president of the United States, has been removed from New York City Hall after a unanimous vote by a committee, because of his links to the slave trade.
Latest videos here: trib.al/ij4WLZh
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“Autarchy under Francisco Franco kept Spain poor for 20 years after its civil war. Peronism which emphasizes ‘economic independence’ & is compared to Trumpism, led to Argentina falling out of the ranks of rich countries & suffering macroeconomic instability for many decades.”
Trump's ideology of an economically isolated nation will make Americans poorer and more hopeless -- not just in the short run, but in the long run.
noahpinion.blog/p/there-is-n…
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Statues to civilization’s two greatest statesmen & defenders of democracy, Churchill & Lincoln, now must be protected from mob. More than just statues are under attack.
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When Coronavirus passes there should be national Sunday of thanksgiving celebrated in all churches. We should plan for it now.
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Shocking National Christmas Tree is gone already when season not over. It’s only 9th Day with three to go.
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Historic: United Methodist General Conference ok’s Traditional Plan reaffirming church teaching on marriage & strengthening accountability. Transitioning from liberal Mainline to global orthodox, our great church has future. #UMCGC2019
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United Methodist General Conference has now defeated One Church Plan touted by USA bishops to liberalize church marriage teaching. African, Filipino, Euro delegates crucial. They saved growing global church from plight of imploding USA Mainline Protestants. Thank you! #UMCGC2019
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Royal Family was resisting Nazism, inspiring nation standing alone & getting bombed by Nazis when USA was still delusionally isolationist & operating under “America First.”
Everything you need to know about the royal family is in The Crown. Philip’s sister was married to a Nazi. Edward was a nazi sympathizer, and had to abdicate because of it. Please. This family is notorious.#TheFirm
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I've lost a few followers today. So be it. In case you wondered, I believe in USA constitutional democracy, not conspiracy pabulum. I believe in laws not men. I believe America's republic is best political system on earth, undeservedly blessed by God, Who alone is our hope. Amen!
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Christian Zionism just means Christians who affirm Israel. It’s always been around in different forms & long predates 19th century Dispensationalism. Contra the cited young staffer, it doesn’t require any particular theology & so generically cannot be a “heresy.”
The Heritage staff meeting exposed something of a generational divide within Heritage, as one staffer who claimed to represent the perspective of foundation’s younger employees said that she did not have a problem with Roberts’s initial defense of Carlson and wanted to make sure that the views of her generation, who she said were generally more critical of Israel, would still be welcome at Heritage.
Eliana's right that the q&a is very much worth the listen. Here's a snippet of some remarks from a young female staffer:
“I condemn Nick Fuentes's hateful rhetoric. That being said, I would like to point out that some of the most vocal people against Tucker Carlson have been calling him an antisemite since he started to hold more anti-interventionalist views. A handful of young colleagues and I had no issue with the points you made in the original video. I don't think that was the right moment to have such an important conversation regarding US-Israel relationships, because now we fear that the concerns we have won't be addressed. Gen Z has an increased unfavorable view of Israel, and it's not because millions of Americans are antisemitic. It's because we are Catholic and Orthodox and believe that Christian Zionism is a modern heresy. We believe it does go against church doctrine and the teachings of the early church fathers to use Christianity as a defense for a secular nation. In Christ, there is neither Jew nor Gentile, and there is no salvation outside of Christ. As a young person, many of us are generally tired of foreign entanglements, while our problems in this country worsen. My question is: Is there room for people that hold our perspectives on the path forward to address the concerns regarding US-Israel relationships? You said that people who spoke out against you will not be punished, but what about the people who agree with the substance of what you said?”
nationalreview.com/news/heri…
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Percentage of Mainline Protestant clergy affirming bodily resurrection higher now than 60 yrs ago. Modernism is dead.
Nearly all Christian clergy definitely believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.
99% of evangelicals.
97% of Black Protestants.
92% of Catholic priests.
The only outlier: the mainline.
75% definitely believe.
15% probably believe in the bodily resurrection.
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May their crowns shine eternally, & may their memory remind all of us who live so comfortably to live more sacrificially.
Today, we commemorate the 5th anniversary of ISIS beheading twenty #Coptic #Christians & one Ghana Christian in Libya for refusing to deny their Christian faith. May the martyrs of the Coptic Church pray for us. 🙏
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Lincoln literally gave his life for black lives.
San Francisco to rename Abraham Lincoln High School because former president did not demonstrate that 'black lives mattered to him' trib.al/0VJHGnR
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A search of Stephen Wolfe's "A Case of Christian Nationalism" finds 1 mention of "evangelism," & then only in passing. Wouldn't "Christianizing" a nation prioritize reaching new people with the Good News? Or is it chiefly gaining political power for the "right" people?
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Presbyterian Church USA was over 3 million members 40 yrs ago & now barely 1 million falling below Episcopal Church. Mainline Protestantism's implosion is 60 yrs old & seemingly irreversible.
The Presbyterian Church (USA) lost 51,000 members in 2021 and dissolved 104 congregations pres-outlook.org/2022/04/pcu…
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Government can’t bring religion “back” & will hurt religion if it tries. But persons in government can encourage religion by their own behavior: attending church, praying, personally financially supporting religious causes, extending mercy, practicing charity, modeling humility, pursuing common good for all.
President Trump: "We're bringing back religion in our country. And we're bringing it back -- as I say -- bigger and better and stronger than ever before."
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Grateful for United Methodist Judicial Council's affirming constitutionality of most of Traditional Plan approved in February, plus affirming exits for dissenting liberal churches. Globalizing United Methodism has orthodox, bright future that includes renewal for church in USA.
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My Protestant prayer is for next Pope to come from Africa. Possibly Western Christianity no longer has spiritual resources to lead global church.
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The Gideons, a fellowship of evangelical men, have over 120 yrs distributed over 2 billion free Bibles & dissem tens of millions more annually. Of course, the Bible is also free online.
Lee Greenwood on Newsmax defends selling $60 bibles with Trump: "The reason we have this bible is to make sure more people have it accessible."
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Contra self-professed “Christian nationalists,” enfranchising women is one of Christian civilization’s greatest accomplishments.
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Last week this Tennessee church voted 65% to quit United Methodism failing to reach required 67%. Today most of congregation met elsewhere as new traditional church. Sad but new life & future.
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Maybe disdaining Southern Baptists is as bigoted as collectively dissing any other religious group.
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The good old days weren't always so good.
Eugenics was not a fringe theory. It was taught without controversy in colleges and high schools across the country. fdrl.st/70s
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Instead of trashing statues let’s build new ones. Benjamin Davis Sr. was 1st USA black general. His son Jr. was Tuskegee Airman & 1st black USA Air Force general. I don’t think either has statue. Both are deserving. Why not together? (I once hosted Jr., who was magnificent.)
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Tho its elites were churchier, early America was less churchy than today. It also was drunker, gambled & patronized prostitutes more, had abortions, more corruption, more dangerous, plus slavery, sweat shops, child labor, sex exploitation...hardly nirvana. Thankful for today.
AND YET-- in 1831, all church bodies collectively could probably only claim about 22% of the population as members.
Now, some of this is gimmicky: enslaved people were often not counted as members. Traditions vary on counting children, as well as to a lesser extent women.
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Liberal Protestantism is construct of contemporary Western white people. Creedal orthodoxy was crafted by Mid-easterners , North Africans, Mediterranean people, & assumed globally & trans culturally across centuries.
The problem isn’t Christian doctrine. The problem is Christian doctrine constructed solely by Western white people.
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Honor at #IRFMinisterial to meet Miriam Ibrahim, Sudanese Christian imprisoned w/baby, sentenced to death for apostasy, chained to floor, refused to deny faith, like apostles of old, released thx to global pressure, now safe in Virginia, refuge for persecuted since Huguenots.
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Maybe distinction is Evangelicals "cancel" bad doctrine in their own churches, while wokesters see all society as their "church" & want to cancel free speech.
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Some Christian thinkers, integralists & Protestants, advocate return to Blue Laws. Almost no Christians I know avoid Sunday shopping. I've heard Sunday sermon on this topic maybe once in 50 years. Maybe Christians should 1st try Sabbath observance as model for society?
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Informed today of intended insult by liberal Methodist who cited me as "William F. Buckley of Methodism," which's one of most gratifying insults I've ever received. Thank you.
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This Methodist “all are welcome” pastor blocked me. I don’t recall ever interacting with him. But I want to thank him for making me smile. 😆😀🙏
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American Methodism is traditionally liturgically low church. Most clergy weren’t even wearing robes until mid 20th century. Modern progressive clergy like more liturgical festoonery. Why? I don’t know answer.
“Wear nothing of a glaring color, or in any way bright, glittering, or showy; nothing made in the very height of fashion, nothing intended to attract the eyes of bystanders.” …John Wesley #UMCGC
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Greatest threat to USA Christianity isn't secularism/liberalism but unrooted nondenominational congregationalism both ecclessially & historically autonomous.
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Attended church today 1st time nearly 3 months, thx to invite @esgetology for Lutheran experience, my 1st in decades. Lots of rich liturgy & wonderful new crucifix. Good to see @mzhemingway.
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Visit to @albertmohler infamous library, which is universe unto itself. Note John Wesley's presence.
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Hypothesis: Much of western Left is post Christian wanting equality & justice w/o religion; increasing part of western Right is pre-Christian exalting tribalist masculine strength over mercy.
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Antisemitism isn’t merely bigotry but ultimately disdain for Hebraic tradition that birthed transcendence, dignity, compassion, mercy, liberty, decency, absent which strong devour weak. So antisemitism is uniquely pernicious hatred that spawns or reveals myriad evils.
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Always perplexed by people who minimize Lincoln’s role in ending slavery. When elected 1 of 10 Americans was slave. Slavery had existed in America for 240 yrs. After 4 yrs of Lincoln it was over, & he was shot for his labors. Give him his due.
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So much concern on “idolatry” of patriotism. Churches shouldn’t counsel Christians not to love their country but how better to love their country within wider context of loving God, church, neighbor, community, humanity. #July4
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If you desire USA social renewal, even if you aren’t religious, support churches & ministries focused on evangelism, discipleship, catechesis, church membership, regular worship, & acts of corporate mercy, backed by rich theological education. There really is no other way.
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Bishop John Shelby Spong & Jesus Seminar spent decades deconstructing Christianity to “save” church for new generation who couldn’t believe in supernatural & miracles. Now nobody under age 40 knows who they are. Protestant modernism died. But orthodoxy contends w/new challenges.
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Hopefully foreshadowing wider revival among Methodists & Wesleyans etc.
God is STILL on the move at Asbury College. 30+ hours later
#revival
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Almost no non-USA Christian from around world I've ever met shares this absurd caricature of USA evangelicalism touted by bitter USA post-evangelicals.
Much of conservative white American Christianity has reached a point where it is mercilessly opposed to helping refugees, immigrants, Muslims, women, children, the sick, the poor, LGBTQ individuals, and those suffering in other countries. sojo.net/articles/false-and-…
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Other faiths rarely respect syncretistic Christians who don’t take their own faith seriously. #UMCGC
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Presbyterian Church USA lost another 62,375 members in 2018 or nearly 5% in 1 yr down to 1,352,678. At this rate won't exist in 20 yrs. "Inclusive" theology strikes again.
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Wokesters disdain #July4. But who offered better in 1776? Ottoman sultan? China’s emperor? Czar? Africa’s potentates? India’s Mughals? USA Revolution was THE event for aspiring human liberty.
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Ben Carson endorsing Trump further evinces that Christian faith is no guarantee of political wisdom or even competence.
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Great news at United Methodist General Conference: Traditional Plan strengthening church’s stance on marriage as male/female passed 56/44%. Delegates acted as legislative committee & will vote again tomorrow as plenary. #UMCGC19
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On Christmas especially let’s remember them who follow Christ at often great risk.
Anti-Christian vigilantes are storming churches and assaulting worshipers in India. In many cases, the police are helping them, documents reveal. nyti.ms/3mrmOd6
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Churches still closed after more than 1 year have unintentionally implied they are unnecessary & many sadly will never recover.
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Much needed: venerable church leaders with public theology deeply rooted in their tradition & who can speak to all about common good without telling us their views on particular politicians.
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Hypothesis: Evangelical political witness largely is incapable of political judgment and prudence, instead focusing on moralism. It lacks theology of statecraft & power.
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Mark Tooley to receive honorary doctorate - Wesley Biblical Seminary @WesleyBiblical wbs.edu/news/mark-tooley-hon…
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Stanley Hauerwas offered late 20th century frat boy theology for young white Protestant males wanting to be vaguely orthodox but naughtily anti-conservative. It’s been very popular but now reaching end of shelf-life. What’s next?? This niche is important.
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Why do dissidents who disagree w/core teachings of their religious tradition not seek other options instead of radically deconstructing?
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United Methodism’s schism will be historic, 1st major USA organized denominational schism since 1840s. Will occur only because conservatives, unlike other Mainline Protestant churches, retain governing majority, thx to growing overseas membership.
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This denomination has lost about 75% of its membership & won’t exist in 10 yrs.
The PCUSA’s divestment resolution calls on the Presbyterian Foundation and Board of Pensions to divest from Israel bonds.
religionnews.com/2024/07/01/…
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Southern Baptists lose 6% members across 17 yrs. Response: hundreds of new church plants yearly & racial diversification. Mainline Protestants lose 50% across 50 yrs. Response: We’re ok! SBC losing too! Political activism is revival! Full steam ahead!
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My eye blinded in 3/20 mishap. Doc said no remedy. In pandemic other docs not seeing new patients. Tho we’d never met, I emailed Francis Collins @NIH. He quickly named doc who got me surgery 2 days later restoring eyesight. So I was glad finally to meet Collins last eve.
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As United Methodism splits, important for traditionalists to offer distinct alternative to USA generic evangelicalism by staying connectional, episcopal, liturgical, sacramental, historical, catholic & retaining best of Mainline Protestant social engagement.
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Societies are “Christianized” by Christians & churches evangelizing for the Gospel. It’s not a political project.
Borrowing a bit from @yhazony comments about the U.S. during the recent @NatConIII in Miami, we say:
The re-Christianization of European culture is the only hope for preserving the continent for future generations.
(Image below courtesy of GetReligion.org.)
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Learned today of small exited United Methodist church that technically joined Global Methodism but hired Baptist pastor who’s rebaptizing etc. Laity never learned Wesleyan distinctives. Baptist is now USA default evangelicalism unless other distinctives robustly taught.
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“Wear nothing of a glaring color, or in any way bright, glittering, or showy; nothing made in the very height of fashion, nothing intended to attract the eyes of bystanders.” …John Wesley #UMCGC
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Problem is, native peoples were also imperialists & slavers, warring against each other for millennia, because all cultures are composed entirely of sinful people. Post Christendom is trying to claim some people are fallen & others are not. But in fact, we’re all equal.
VIDEO: A statue of Christopher Columbus in Boston has been beheaded, as calls to remove sculptures commemorating colonizers and slavers sweep the US.
u.afp.com/3PRv
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Yesterday North Georgia United Methodism refused exit for McEachern Memorial UMC, whose sanctuary this morning was mostly empty as many reconvened across street at funeral home to form new church. I’m told it took them just 11 hours to organize after the failed vote.
Nearly 7300 churches have exited United Methodism. But some churches despite voting by required 2/3 of congregation have been petulantly denied exit, including 4 in North Georgia yesterday. Such churches are then punished and/or shattered.
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It's a tribute to Christianity that wherever it has advanced around the world the social & political standing of women, however haphazardly, has increased. May it always be so.
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Hypothesis: Post-schism traditional Methodist leaders have about 5 yrs to catechize their churches in Wesleyan belief & practice otherwise they’ll be largely lost to generic evangelicalism.
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Summit of nearly 60 traditional Methodist theologians, which I’m calling a Methodist Council of Dort, assembles tonite outside DC. Prayers for their deliberations. May their work foster Methodist spiritual & intellectual renewal for decades & centuries to come.
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Grieved by sudden death of Methodist theologian Billy Abraham but his strong legacy endures. He served decades @PerkinsSMU & was starting new Methodist studies program @TruettSeminary
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Confession: I’ll never understand appeal of walking labyrinth.
A labyrinth will be set up in Duke Chapel today through Wednesday. Visitors are invited to walk the labyrinth on Monday, April 15, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.; April 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and April 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 12-noon.
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Obsessing over & demonizing “Christian nationalists” may not be as effective as offering alternative model for godly love of & service to nation.
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My suggestion for post United Methodist schism name for traditionalist denomination: "The Methodist Church," per pre-1968.
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Constititional democracy isn’t for good & special people. It’s for sinners who can’t be trusted w/unlimited power & need constraint by countervailing forces. It’s Christianity’s political answer to fallen humanity’s innate depravity. So democracy has universal application.
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After 43 yrs United Methodism quits pro abortion rights @RCRChoice by 61-39%. A new day for global church. #UMCGC
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We traditional United Methodists can be grateful for progressive sweep of USA bishop elections etc. Official church teaching in USA part of global denomination is done. Now we’ve clarity & know what must be done.
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Is there more misused term in USA Christianity today than "justice," which's become synonymous w/wants, preferences, affirmations & fashion?
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Do self-professed “Christian Nationalists” have any goal other than fulfilling every caricature conceived against them?
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Pls note that tomorrow is legally & morally a federal holiday honoring George Washington's Birthday. There's no such thing as "Presidents Day."
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One important role for post-Mainline denominations like PCA, GMC, ACNA etc is their preservation of traditional worship, liturgy & hymnody. They're islands within sea of post-denominational contemporary worship.
Are new networks emerging from Mainline Protestantism still Mainline? Anglicans, PCA, Global Methodist etc? Genetically, yes, but maybe new moniker needed.
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As Methodist outsider I’m confused. Apparently Southern Baptists increasingly are racists & robotic GOP operatives. OR. They’re on verge of liberal takeover under banner of Critical Race Theory. Can anyone explain? Thank you.
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Whenever I hear exaggerated nostalgia about old Christian America I recall Tulsa massacre back in “good old days” when even liquor was illegal. Every age has unique evils & virtues.
Immersive explanation of Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. A heartbreaking and significant moment in American history. nyti.ms/3fllghH
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Prediction: Post-Coronavirus USA maybe less “decadent,” more purposeful, more creative, more familial, more energetic, more religious. At least for a time. Maybe.
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Pardon my Methodist pietistic moralism, but maybe advocates for public virtue & a Christian society should slow on the f word, among other restraints. Don’t integralist regimes criminalize profanity?
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