Do Christian Nationalists Believe In The Power Of The Gospel?

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I'm an Anglican Priest in the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island (my pronouns are he/him/his) and I get to serve in the Parish of St Margaret of Scotland, in the beautiful city of Halifax, NS, that sits on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq people. Email me at [e-mail] and I will do my best to respond.
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[@tflowers6582]

I have no faith in any theology based on bigotry, supremacy, or isolationism. Christian nationalism in no way reflects my Christian beliefs. 💙💙💙

[@ediecerniglia-witner5297]

I 100% agree with you.

[@Hopeful_One]

Amen to *_that!_*

[@michelegyselinck5400]

Christian nationalism is blasphemy anyway.

[@omikrondraconis5708]

As a non-Christian, I really appreciate that!

[@akaimizu1]

Amen. I also 100% agree. That kind of theology is not a Christianity I even remotely recognize.

[@user-gr9ge8kv1u]

I don't think they really believe in God. I think they only believe in having power and having wealth.

[@lilianfowler7988]

It seems that they believe THEY are God.

[@Alverant]

And who do they believe gave them that wealth? It's God.

[@Reno_Slim]

No only do they believe in god, they also seem to believe that god endorses what they're doing.

[@michelegyselinck5400]

@@Reno_Slim. Which is blasphemy.

[@fnjesusfreak]

@@lilianfowler7988 The "Little Gods" doctrine is disturbingly common in those circles.

[@angryspork610]

Do Christian Nationalists actually believe in the Gospel? Short answer: No. Long answer: NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

[@akaimizu1]

How come I read that Long Answer seeing a man completely covered in a black suit and helmet? (And the short answer, to how it was written in the script.)

[@jccarriere3719]

Yes Rev, Christian Nationalist is not Christian. It's all about power and money. Cruel and punishment. Nothing to do with Jesus messages of truth and love!

[@ad-dx9gi]

Exactly!!!!!

[@davidroberts9037]

GOD gives us free choice. GOD does not shove it down our throats and force HIS ways on us.

[@terryhenderson424]

Right, wrong, or inbetween God lets us make our own mistakes then figure out how to overcome them.

[@gerhardk98]

God gives you free will till he doesn’t, if you don’t believe in him as your saviour you suffer in the afterlife for ever and ever. Somehow that seems like a perversion of free will.

[@enough1494]

As a child I would cry for Jesus when I saw bad things, I saw plenty. Now I am 67, I weep every day for him. We are so lost, Lord!

[@Nan-59]

😢 We sure are. ❤

[@hardknox144]

If you are still lost after believing on Jesus, then you are NOT saved. How can you be saved and lost simultaneously? Whose corrupt teaching have you been listening to that would have you believe that you are still lost?

[@readingrx2572]

​​@@hardknox144 It's a figurative expression.

[@pop-upprayerwithpapaa8250]

Why are we lost?

[@enough1494]

@@pop-upprayerwithpapaa8250 Well, maybe I should say, I feel lost. You obviously are not. This am for instance, I am in Louisiana, 6:45 am. I just finished my morning water and stretches and prayers. Then, I checked my emails, I leave August 6 to go to near the Darién jungle to steward to the immigrants going to US for a better life. I volunteer as an interpreter for my cousins group, she is s nun. But, as I read my latest messages for her, a huge sadness came upon me knowing I am going to assist the same group of people who call them the “poison in our blood”. Sir, that is just one reason why I feel lost. But, some are lucky they know exactly the reason for what makes me feel, lost. Blessings to you.

[@GwenMeek]

“I came to save the world, not condemn it.” John 3:17

[@russellmiles2861]

@@GwenMeek selectively picking out text with scant context or study.

[@GwenMeek]

@@russellmiles2861 well, if that isn’t good enough. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that who so ever believes in me shall not parish but have ever lasting life. John 3:16 which comes first. John 3:17 should be able to stand very nicely on its own. Not sure where it is out of context since Jesus never went around condemning people. He spoke to women and men were not to publicly speak to women. He did the same with children. Seems like someone just wants to argue here.

[@GwenMeek]

Also the word Gospel says it all: Good News

[@Christmessenger.007]

Praise the Lord. Matthew 23:13-36; Matthew 24:15-22; Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 18 :1-24; 20:15; Revelation 8:6-13; Revelation 9:1-21. Isaiah 24:1-3; 2 Peter 3:7-10; Revelation 18:1-24; Amos 5:18-20; There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ. Romans 8:1; John 3:18-21. Matthew 7:21-23; This is the good news of the Gospel Christ brought. God is going to remove all man made government and replace it with one over which Christ will rule with a chosen few. Isaiah 32:1; Matthew 4:17; 19:28; Luke 12:32; Revelation 3:10-13; 5:9-10; Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 11: 1-10; Daniel 2:44-45; 7:13-14; Daniel 12:1-3; Isaiah 26:19; Be blessed.

[@russellmiles2861]

@@GwenMeek can always pick out nice lines while ignoring the great majority of wicked texts

[@gbprime2353]

Too many folks just want their religion to tell them that they are right, that what they're already doing is fine, and that they don't need to change. A grand exercise in missing the point.

[@VincentValentine33]

My mother tried to force me to be christian. Forced me to go to her church when I didn't want to because she thought I was demonically possessed. Yeah, I did something pretty evil when I was 14. I wore a Slayer shirt underneath a button down shirt. During the sermon, I took off the button down shirt and was sitting there wearing a Slayer shirt. No one noticed at first, but then the pastor saw me sitting there wearing that shirt and freaked. Demanded I leave and never come back. I was banned from my mom's church. Something I wanted. My mom beat the hell out of me for that, but it was so worth it.

[@ControversialChristian]

@vincentvalentine I saw this, and on one level, it made me laugh. I love listening to Slayer and was even aware that many believed the band name meant Satan laughs as you eternally rot ( I don't know if they intended that. I learned about it during the Satanic panic in 1991). Once i stopped laughing, I really felt sad that a minister/ pastor would be so frail in his own faith that he couldn't handle the sight of a pentagram on church ground. Was he afraid you would burst into flames and catch the church on fire ? My parents had us go to church until we were 12, and then we were allowed to choose whether we wanted to or not, and even what church we wanted to visit. Nameste

[@terryhenderson424]

I love your story, will remember it, and probably tell it. Sorry you underwent what I generally call religious abuse to get there. One of the very first Bibke verses I learned was: Forgive them Father for they know not what they do. It can help heal your own hurt as well.

[@VincentValentine33]

@@ControversialChristian I have Epilepsy and I'm Trans Male, so going there back then was being stuck in one of Aunt Lydia's Shame Circles. I was bullied and talked down to constantly. I got sick of it, so I rebelled in the only way I could think of, as a Metalhead during The Satanic Panic.

[@howardcohen6817]

Even though you wanted to be banned an feel that the protest was worth the beating, I'm sorry that you've had to endure this. Love.

[@MelanieNLee]

Sorry that happened to you. Didn't your mom ever read this Scripture: Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

[@michaeldunigan1067]

God doesn't transform the world with a sword. He transforms the world with a wounded heart.

[@revedtrevors4961]

Amen

[@russellmiles2861]

nice idea, but not what your own Bible says.

[@revedtrevors4961]

@@russellmiles2861 you may wanna look again

[@russellmiles2861]

@@revedtrevors4961 you mean like Exodus 12:29.

[@revedtrevors4961]

@@russellmiles2861 sure I guess, but the Bible says a lot of things about transformation.

[@humbertoburgos7577]

Exactly what I have been saying. And on top of that, some “pastors” have joined the ride on their quest for power and influence. As a Christian who has come to know the power and love of God, it saddens me.

[@mickeyhadley4281]

Timothy 4: 3,4 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

[@mickeyhadley4281]

Acts 20:28-30 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.

[@kellyharper367]

Me too!

[@carlrosa1130]

Make NO mistake - It's not a belief nor is it a passion or a commitment to a religion. It's an agenda.

[@JohnAllenRoyce]

Yes, and if enough people realize this the agenda falls to dust.

[@SherryCase-lp9df]

My heart breaks for the Christian Nationalists as they don’t know Jesus.

[@keithramsey5637]

They don’t need to… they just need his branding.

[@jenw9463]

My heart doesn't break at all. They are threatening people to submit or there will be blood. Save your broken heart for those of us who are their targets of their hate.

[@carolynrussell4215]

They must not believe in freewill.

[@revedtrevors4961]

There's

[@donnalynn6348]

Free Will allows the powerful to lose control of everyone else.

[@libbycollins9349]

We already had the Spanish Inquisition. The word revival comes to mind as it implies spiritually coming back to life, and the acting like a Christian. You know,feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, welcoming the alien, caring for widows and orphans, sharing the joy of redemption. It’s the goodness that is irresistible, not the angry judgment of pseudo Christians.

[@gula9993]

When I see a child wearing a t shirt that says Jesus is my weapon it makes my heart cold for weapons are defined as things that cause hurting and harming to others. I know peace is shun in their church that brandishes threats, and violence and it isn't the church of the prince of peaceful manners and ways. My respects to all peace seekers if I fall in the promised blood letting of the Christian Nationalists for I without shame renounce them.

[@MatrixRefugee]

And they're probably the kids accompanying a guy (presumably their father or grandfather) who's wearing one of those "We Are Lions" shirts (or whatever the heck they are. It's usually black with an airbrushed image of a lion and some biblical reference that's likely cut completely from its context). Um, no, my dude, you are one of the Good Shepherd's sheep who wandered off, found the skin of a dead lion and shuffled it on before walking around wearing it and trying to growl like a lion while still sounding like a sheep going "beh'eh'eh'eh".

[@roberthopgood1894]

there is NOT DIFFERENCE between "christian" nationals and the taliban

[@John-hf3ul]

Thank you Rev, the true Christians have a shield, Christian Nationalists have swords, true Christian’s accept the Gospel, Christian Nationalists want to impose them. Same words, same message, presented in very different perspectives.

[@crazycatmama2098]

Rev Ed, please pray for the United States. We’re likely “celebrating” our last Independence Day today. We need help.

[@UnashamedCaliforniagirl]

Amen ❤️. I am actually mourning today.

[@Boobookittyfluff]

Amen! Me too.

[@user-dq9bk7ec9c]

Me too! And it's my birthday...reflecting at 61 the terrible changes to the country I love.

[@tracyhaverstick5672]

Had the Lord wanted soley servants without will, he would have made us that way. I believe the Lord wants us to find the path on our own. It's pure in that sense.

[@UnashamedCaliforniagirl]

A God of love would not create robots

[@charlenewallmark1187]

These pastors are not looking for peace…just obedience. Love is not in their agenda.

[@UnashamedCaliforniagirl]

They only speak of " love" in the sense of using it to manipulate others .

[@hope4now]

Sharing the message isn’t about changing others- it’s about changing yourself.

[@russellmiles2861]

@@hope4now then no need to share the Good news I assume.

[@UnashamedCaliforniagirl]

Amen ❤️

[@jeanneratterman]

When i was very young we used to receive the Maryknoll magazine (Catholic) which shared the stories of those missionaries. One in particular shared how he came to a third world tropical country. First thing he did was find the headman and ask what he might do to share in the villages duties. That right there garnered surprise. He was willing, asking to be a part of the community, pull his own weight and contribute. He then took care of himself. He cleaned his newly inherited home from his predecessor. He set it up to meet his needs. He realized quickly that the weather was too hot to wear his traditional regalia so he adopted the native sarongs as his clothing. He did not set up any classes nor preach. He did his morning rituals of prayer, breakfast, upkeep, conversing when a neighbor would stop by, joining the villagers in any projects. If any asked about himself, he would share openly and honestly. Still, no preaching. If they asked about what he believed, again he was open and honest . He was not like any of his predecessors. He became friends with many villagers. He shared meals with them. He learned from them. In his time with the village he became a part of it. Sever villagers asked to be converts, not because he preached, but because he lived his faith every moment in everything he did and full transparency. None of his predecessors converted any villager. His humility and deep faith was real, it was authentic. That is a true Christian in action. He was a humanitarian of high order. No force. No threats. No bartering food for bible verses. No authoritarian attitude. He lived among the people and loved them as they were. For me, my take away was that he wanted for them to love his faith as he did, deeply committed, not superficially. Only by his example did they come to him on their own, seeking to have what they saw and loved about him.

[@jeanneratterman]

Seven villagers converted - a misspelling in my previous comment

[@pamsabo4551]

What a beautiful example of Jesus's intent. I imagine he wept in the garden before he died because he saw the future horrible distortion of his message. I left religion, particularly Catholicism, because they have all become patriarchal games of man- created rules without heart. 😢

[@howardcohen6817]

Sharing is its own reward, whether anyone comes or not. Sharing joy doubles the peace. Love.

[@ingehanson]

@@pamsabo4551 And now they help with illegal child trafficking for money from the government.

[@pamsabo4551]

@@ingehanson How inappropriate. How sad to think along those lines. May God heal you. 😳🥺💔

[@DoubleOld7]

My question is, do the Christian Nationalists even know the Gospel anymore. Or have they twisted it and rewritten it to follow their agenda that they have lost the original intentions of love and acceptance. They are more about the 'Do Nots" than the "Dos".

[@TheSuzberry]

I wonder if ‘professional Christians’ have actually read the New Testament. They seem wedded to the Old.

[@marysanders3860]

Worse, it's their interpretation of the Old Testament.

[@revedtrevors4961]

Some do for sure

[@glucillewhite2213]

Exactly

[@marysullivan3881]

These people have created God in their image that includes and encourages their beliefs.

[@mollyo3558]

I’ve asked such Christians if they speak for God. They go quiet. Then I tell them I will accept judgement by God but not by them.

[@tianikane3312]

Good one. Will use that, thanks..

[@kevinjohnson7839]

Thank you ❤, Amen 🙏… For many Christian nationalist. It’s not truly about converting the heart. It’s just about controlling the mind. It’s just for the glory of power over others. not freedom and peace.

[@donaldwert7137]

I would go so far as to say it's not even about controlling the mind, only the actions. "Do as I say, or I'll hit you again and it will be your fault." The words of the abuser.

[@randallthomas5207]

And, they will lie, cheat and steal to get there. Treat others with dignity, honor and respect, and be the example of Jesus’ teachings.

[@bb1886]

The simple answer is no, they don't believe the gospels. They are like the pharasies of the time of Jesus. They wanted a warrior king to destroy the Romans and let them rule at his side.

[@user-dq9bk7ec9c]

Exactly! They obey law...not love

[@bronzegoddess8709]

Right. If Jesus were to live amongst us again, they would crucify him again.

[@scj2117]

RE: Ultimate success in our mission to share the good news... "The poor, you will always have..." the message in that is that one must understand there is NO goal post. This is a activity that is its own end. There is no option to fix this and be done. This not like household tasks like painting the house... once the house is painted you are done. This is like household tasks like dusting and vacuuming... once the final room is finished, it is time to do the first room again.

[@ArchaicAnglist]

And even painting the house is going to have to be done again - and sooner rather than later if the job was done with insufficient care, attention, and skill.

[@scj2117]

@@ArchaicAnglist Nothing we make or do lasts forever. But the harm we do, can last for quite a long time.

[@akaimizu1]

I always say that a rule by force, over every single thought and deed, regardless of how personal it is, is seen as tyranny, and leads to resentment. If done by love influencing a true change of heart, it is lasting.

[@stephencullum8255]

Best explanation of the error of trying to force people . I am a senior. The Lord countless times has checked and corrected me when I had a wrong idea or behavior. The hubris of people who think only they hear and know the will of God amazes me. That they must force their neighbor for their own good shows to me they really do not understand the Way of Christ or the Gospel.

[@brianmarcum8306]

The sword or the cross is the choice we all face in life?This is the choice for everyone in life.

[@briandesormeau2643]

When I gave this video a "thumbs up," I moved it from 666 to 667. 😊

[@UnashamedCaliforniagirl]

I did that on one of Beau's videos 😂

[@briandesormeau2643]

@@UnashamedCaliforniagirl Greetings, cousin :)

[@scj2117]

Another descent into "legalism". A relationship with God is not so easy as dotting "i"s and crossing "t"s.

[@pinkpaprika8410]

Obviously they don’t, or they would not want to impose it. Jesus wanted our trust, not our fear.

[@bdell519]

Thanks Rev Ed ❤

[@Kram21265]

Thank you Rev. Ed for reminding me that there are good Christians.

[@paulpfeifer2612]

Sounds like head of the Heritage foundation to me.

[@Andy101-tm3hz]

The true followers of Christ are outcast's in the world. They do not choose political sides and know their Kingdom is A Heavenly Kingdom.

[@jasonx3933]

Right on, Rev!

[@hlnbee]

God is Love!❤

[@Hopeful_One]

"Morality cannot be legislated, but behavior can be regulated. Judicial decrees may not change the heart, but they can restrain the heartless." *MLK* "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another" (John 13:34). *Jesus* Praise God for the ~free will~ to praise God, y'all!! Peace be with you, all. ✌🏼🤍💫

[@PeaceProfit]

Success is not a meter of achievement, it’s a measure of personal challenge and change. 👣🕊👽

[@terrybryce88]

They are also in favor of Old Testament punishments.

[@Rhomega]

Like I said, it's like they want a Faith Victory. "Everyone's going to church again! We have prayer and the Bible in school, we have Christian reverence in media. Blessed is the nation that worships God!"

[@user-to9vd7bf5v]

Thank God for the Gospels- We would not even know who Jesus is - Thank you Lord for changing my heart through your word. The New Testament has brought me to life in Christ and believe me it has taken decades but I stuck with it . Great sermon.

[@davidroberts9037]

💙 💙 💙 💙 💙

[@JamesVestal-dz5qm]

yes

[@mikecooper7784]

I liked your words very much! I can continue being a loner in the wilderness and have hope for civilization. Very well said, i have happiness today.

[@howardcohen6817]

Love.

[@jimmywhite3922]

The more I listen to their rhetoric I realize they were all BORN Christians!! They never had to experience any type of rebirth or acknowledgment of the need for salvation as a gift that must be accepted by faith. How special they are. Bless their hearts as we say in S.C. But...breaks my heart how they have perverted the Gospel and the Great Commission of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Pray for their true salvation.

[@howardcohen6817]

I'm very glad not to want to change hearts - just to find them, love them and help, if I'm able. This keeps me very occupied. Love.

[@howardcohen6817]

Ed, you're so very right when you say that in policing your neighbors there is no peace. Watching all these videos gives you no peace. I prefer it when you speak about the actions and love of peacekeepers. Love.

[@mollyo3558]

Amen!

[@jccarriere3719]

Through Jesus, we get to his father God. Pray to Jesus every night at side if bed. You will see Jesus and God. Not the church, the Pope, the Bible,...

[@user-to9vd7bf5v]

We would not even know anything about Jesus without the gospels- Thank you God for the bible .

[@phaedrussocrates7636]

It's a fair question to ask, considering

[@wayhollobj36]

I shared this with a Christian Nationilst Uncle of mine Hopefully he'll actually watch it and hear your honest answer

[@revedtrevors4961]

Thank you! That means a lot

[@wayhollobj36]

@@revedtrevors4961 REV ED You're truly an inspiration. Because you get it. If more Christians understood the basic barebones ideas that Jesus shared, they'd remember that if it's not personal, it's a House of Cards or the Foundation built in Sand. Where it Looks pretty until the waves crash over it. The messages when they sink in is what helps Us show we understand the barebones Instead of do this or else God sends Us to Hell, or will damn Us for Our behavior. Fear instead of Love. I've shared your videos with him before.

[@dawnjohnson8739]

Some people have lost their minds.

[@vivianziel7442]

I listened to John Piper's program and another teacher was saying exactly this. We change our communities by bring people to faith in Christ which results in changed hearts through the new birth by the Holy Spirit.

[@user-mn4mq8cj3s]

Wonderful! A miracle is a changed consciousness! ❤️✨

[@johnnordberg6904]

Once again you respond with wisdom and compassion. Yes, if the heart isn't in it, nothing else will follow. It stops at the edge of the tongue. Lip service only. Like the idea; how does the person act when no one is around to witness it? Is it only in front of others to get praise? Prohibition failed in the '20s because they made a moral decision to make liquor illegal, but they didn't try to change anyone's hearts about it. It just turned most people into criminals by buying or selling behind closed doors in secret. It accomplished nothing. Blessings to you Pastor Ed.

[@sbcee2220]

I've decided to join your Patreon because I love how you preach God's word.

[@monikarathbone3478]

Scary is that he is heard by a large folloeing - unsatisfied in their search for a life worth living - a life where they feel elevated above all others who are different. We are all his children and loves us all unconditionally - thanks Rev. Ed 💖

[@bobritavr860]

Thank You. So Uplifting

[@Benniecat972]

Lovely message. Thank you!

[@cheriremily9360]

When politics and wealth enter the equation then it failed

[@thomaselliot2257]

You know how to bring people together to walk down the right path, just like Jesus. I think He WOULD be impressed.

[@terryr.5093]

If they abdicate the gospel to the force of the state, that speaks for itself. Even they don't really believe the gospel, or they are deluded that faith can be forced under the poser of threat.

[@ediecerniglia-witner5297]

Rev Ed - so well said!

[@bobbyavery1434]

I've started studying how Christ spoke to different people trying to figure out how to talk to the maga folks.

[@russellmiles2861]

"these people" would you listen to someone who thought of you in such a way? How about respecting other folks' religious views

[@bobbyavery1434]

@@russellmiles2861 forgive me. I edited.

[@russellmiles2861]

@@bobbyavery1434 much nicer ... A issue in any liberal democracy is tolerating the intolerance. But that is what we do

[@sitecoresabor2838]

That is why it is not about legislation but transformation because if you do not change the heart, you do not change the world. Thanks for your words and for reminding me about being patient when perseverance is hard to come by, especially these days. I struggle sometimes with knowing what to do because I do believe we must follow Jesus's path. However, when those who also claim they do, decide not to support or follow what is honest, generous, merciful, accepting and tolerant, it makes sometimes for some hard days. So thank you for constantly reminding me and keeping it simple. May God Bless and Keep You.

[@jaysea5939]

Not sure which guy but this sounds like stuff I've seen "discount Matt Walsh from wish" say, like 'we can't force them to believe but we can force them to pretend'. Such a weird goal from people that *should* care about actual salvation.

[@rev.leonidasw.smiley6300]

I really love how you finish!

[@shannonprice2711]

I'm trying and I hope that's enough sometimes I relate to the Sarah McLachlan song worlds on fire

[@stvp68]

Giggling at the question of what “before work” means for a pastor 😊

[@LittleRedDorrit-lc5cm]

What is really mystifying is how so many Christians of modest means, who depend on no one but God and themselves, with maybe a little help from some family members, and a few close friends if they're lucky, look at a pampered, whiny, and basically good for nothing dude like trump, and somehow think he's one of them. How sad is that? -

[@c1886]

Amen 👍👍👍👍👍

[@Teas.Louise]

Obviously they don't even believe in the power of God if they feel they need to enshrine faith into law.

[@jamesbell9825]

Christian nationalists believe in the gospel of power. It’s the temptation Jesus refused. The modern right wing churches embrace it.

[@sandramelia3765]

I saw it too. You don’t have to convert, but you DO have to live under Christian Nationalist laws and government, like it or not.

[@tearose12345]

Thank you, Rev. Ed for another spot-on message. Sadly, I have numerous relatives and friends who now fall into the category of Christian Nationalist and are impossible to be around or talk to. I have tried over and over again with solid evidence to show them how dangerous Trump, Christian Nationalism, MAGA and Project 2025 are. They will not listen, and frankly I have lost all respect for them and don't want to be around them. Everything that they stand for, is everything I am against. I myself am a liberal Christian. I was raised Lutheran and was taught Jesus' message of love and kindness, however, I am having a really hard time liking these people right now. I do pray for them, but I really don't want to have anything to do with them anymore. I want to honor God and feel like I am disappointing Him by feeling this way. Do you have any advice for me, or would you maybe consider doing a video on this topic of families being torn apart b/c of Trump and extremist views? I know that I am not the only one dealing with this issue. I know a lot of people who are at odds with family and friends since Trump came into the picture. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you and God bless you.

[@user-vy3wd9rm5p]

Amen!!!¡

[@user-or7jn2pp4f]

Ed you have really got to the meat of the issue

[@AJLewis-ls7ru]

There are two questions which need to be asked. 1. What is the difference between a free man and a slave? 2. Is the servant of God a free man or a slave?

[@johnkunze5362]

Gospel of LOVE. Do they love? If it's not love, it's not God.

[@tsuritsa3105]

What strikes me about this group is that so many of them are incredibly fond of parts of the Old Testament but if you get into the *New Testament* they go blank faced and seem either bored, uninterested or flat out ignorant of what it says. (Beyond John 3:16) Disclaimer: I am not a Christian myself but I have read the Bible more than once. I respect those Christians who live by the doctrine of love espoused in the New Testament. There's a great deal of good to be found there. But Christian Nationalism is something very different.

[@LimeyRedneck]

🤠💜

[@tloof2370]

This is exactly what I have believed in a long time. Thank you for putting it into a great message. Jesus loves us enough to give us grace and free will and commanded us to love our neighbors. If we are living in honor of that type of love, shouldn't it be extended to our neighbors too?❤

[@watchmantriple7]

Christian Nationalism throws grace and faith out the window. It's a doctrine of hateful devils, not of our loving Saviour.

[@briandesormeau2643]

When I finally sobered up, I knew that I wanted to be a better man. I figured, once you crawl out of that hole, there's nowhere to go but up. I didn't become a Christian. I didn't follow any religion but I tried to take the best of all of them and make them work in my life. My wife tells me that I'm a good man, my brother and sister tell me that I'm a good man and that they love me. I tell you right now that if I had to live in a place where I was forced to be like the Christian (sic) nationalists, I would be moving backwards. Peace.

[@carolemiller2988]

I love history, I find it fascinating. Among the many things, history teaches us is that any kind of religious nationalism doesn’t work. It just becomes oppressive. Look what the Catholics and the Protestants did to each other in Europe. When the first European settlers, came here. they did so because they were being persecuted for their religious beliefs. if the founding fathers wanted there to be a state and or national religion, they would’ve incorporated it in to the constitution, they did not because they knew a mandated Christian Republic was complete folly.

[@brianne8258]

Not even spiritual clones, because Jesus himself spoke about us all having different spiritual gifts.

[@ralphmercer5072]

Im certain that

[@Uriel238]

This is something that came up when the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant making news, which led me on a wiki walk to the concept of an Islamic State, which much like the Christian Nation is the notion that the world's peoples can be united under a single philosophy. It's a bold notion, but creating such a state involves accommodating for the vast variety of people and outlooks and ideas, rather than forcing them to conform. Just as an Islamic state would have to provide unconditionally for people with different dogma, for people who are LGBT+, for people who like ham and cheese sandwiches, for people who work on the sabbath or listen to Black Sabbath, for people who are women. This may involve negotiating with scripture to allow for more liberty and equality, but so it was with all the texts regarding slavery. We know it can be done, and if such leaders are unwilling, then those leaders are not interested in an all-encompassing state. Authoritarianism (as I understand it) is about governance by force rather than by consent. It's an admission a state doesn't have its people's best interests in mind at its core, thus they have to be policed and suppressed, since this is invariably combined with scarcity and brutality (often fueled by corruption within the security- and ownership-classes), the people are invariably driven to renegade behavior, resistance and outright rebellion. This is basic COIN doctrine (COIN = Counter-Insurgency), and informs countless situations, historic and current. Palestine and the capacity for Hezbollah to provoke the state of Israel for one. Trump's inept efforts to suppress the George Floyd civil unrest and protests in 2020. And should Trump take office, he will never be able to sleep. Any functional global state would have to feature provision, compassion and tolerance, whether inspired by Christ, driven by Islam, or completely secular.

[@Tsudkyk]

They have abandoned the gospel for a cult of personality. Jesus is a mascot to these people.

[@donaldwert7137]

What I find bitterly amusing about people like that, who want temporal power to "bring about the world God wants", is that, if they got it, it wouldn't be long before they'd be fighting amongst themselves over what God wants. For example, some would say drinking alcohol is contrary to God's will, but smoking is OK (I've heard that one IRL), while others would say neither is allowed, and yet others would say both are OK in moderation. Some would say they don't care about either, as long as they get their way over the hemlines of women's skirts. There would then be battles over whose theology is "correct" and which should hold the reins of power. I'm in no position to say what's in their minds or hearts, but their actions certainly say they are more interested in worldly power than in God's will.

[@tianikane3312]

Interesting this rave, Rev... Applies very much to us. We were told at a younger age to "act like the devotee and you will become the devotee". Worked damn hard at it and honestly can say that didn't work. Tried it for 20+ years and still felt like a square peg in a round hole. You are right Rev when you say we have to work from the inside out. This is where a lot of the modern churches, temples and religious institutions are losing followers. Instead of teaching them to develop the inside first and work from the inside out, they are forcing the work from the outside in. We wonder what this white nationalist christian taliban will do with women in their make believe world. Will women all be walking around in religious costume to their standards like the women in the middle east who are forced to wear, whether they like it or not, hijabs, niqabs etc.? If a woman wants to wear them, absolutely fine, they can, but no one should be forced to wear it. It seems to us that the men in these countries don't want to have the responsibility to control their own sexual desires and put the blame onto the women, making them toe the line so to speak, instead of the men having the responsibility 'to keep it in their own pants.' This is why Buddhism is growing - they train and work for the most part from the inside out. The Buddhists say the buck stops at your own feet and train their followers accordingly. Little wonder younger people are taking a hike from the religions these days...

[@contrafax]

So expect the Spanish Inquisition?

[@user-dq9bk7ec9c]

Yes

[@Theinternalrewrite]

As a parent I recently had to question of my little girl, "Why don't you trust me when I tell you what you should do? I'm telling you for your own good but you act like I'm stupid and do things your own way even though I have told you that won't work." And after that came revelation. I pity people who cannot discern their ways from God's ways and follow him obediently and in faith.

[@ChristianCatboy]

"Following God obediently and in faith" means loving others as Christ loved us. It does not mean forcing others to obey your own personal understanding of the Law, like the Pharisees were doing. For example, I followed the teaching of Christ in my own life by getting myself castrated (cf. Matt 18:9, 19:12), because that's the response that the Spirit revealed to me after years of study and prayer and fasting, and it required a great deal of obedience and faith to follow that command. I don't advocate forcing other men to get castrated, though. Who gets to decide how to interpret Scripture? You? The leaders of the sect you grew up in or converted to? No thanks. I'll follow the Spirit. "You are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven." (Matt 23:9)

[@Theinternalrewrite]

@@ChristianCatboy my point is, we are inherently inclined to favour our own judgement and believe it to be right, even to the point of assuming it is what God wants because how could he want anything else when what we think is so apt. But his ways are not our ways. If you think God wants you to do all the things you want to do then there's a good chance that ain't God. Particularly when those things are the opposite of what much of the Bible says.

[@russellmiles2861]

great story The only thing is that I am confident that you won't stop loving and caring for your child even if they don't abide by your wishes ... Whereas the Christian god rejects those who don't obey. He killed every man woman and child at Sodon - what had the babies done to deserve being burnt to death? Your morality is far better than God ... why obey gods wicked commandments.

[@Theinternalrewrite]

@@russellmiles2861 Firstly, Christ loved even those who tortured and killed him. Secondly, the babies didn't need to deserve death for it to be the best decision overall. Thirdly, death does not mean the same to God as we think it means. Those souls could go to be with him rather than be corrupted by the society they were born to or further corrupt other people. Fourthly, thinking humans can be a better judge of good and evil than God is what got us into this mess and continues to cause further mess. By attempting to judge him you are perpetuating the same problems that lead to seemingly harsh but sadly necessary acts by a loving God who would rather die himself than have to punish his creation. I pray you receive a revelation of your father in heaven and understand his unrelenting heart for the lost and broken.

[@russellmiles2861]

@@Theinternalrewrite yes, that is the Christian ideology ... Souls of the innocent go straight to Heaven. Then again, couldn't God kill the babies more humanly: die while asleep, as opposed to burning to death Secondly, yes, if the King does something it is right. Then again we have long moved on from such with everyone subject to the Law. Why can't God be subject to His own laws? Although, I'm not attempting to judge God. I have read your Bible. I'm confident I know it better than most. God is clearly wicked. I shall tell Him so when we meet. I don't see my honour worth trading for immortality - that is what vampires do.

[@Ericviking2019]

I can believe in God or politicians, not both!