It never ceases to amaze that the president of the largest Christian institution for higher learning in North America consistently collapses the language of Christian faith with idolatrous nationalism. Nor does it cease to amaze that you literally have NOTHING TO SAY ABOUT JESUS.
Further, 1) I'm not a "Christian leftist." I am a Jesus-ist, a kingdom-of-God-ist. I believe Jesus' call to the kingdom transcends my allegiance to any particular nation-state. I'm not interested in telling Caesar how to run Rome, but telling Christians not to worship Rome/Caesar
2) I do find it hopeful that you are able to make the connection between Trump & Caesar. Follow this further...the proclamation of Christians in the first century that "Jesus is Lord" carried with it the implicit statement that "Caesar is not," which is what got them killed.
3) To your constant appeal to "give to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar, & to God the things that are God's" DOES NOT MEAN WHAT YOU THINK IT MEANS. Jesus never taught divided/dual allegiances between kingdom & nation-state. Jesus' answer here is subversive & brilliant:
Jesus taught that for his own followers ALL THINGS BELONG TO GOD. The idea here is that if we give to God all that belongs to God, we won't have anything left over for Caesar. This never meant "it's okay to serve God but kinda serve Caesar too."
4) The article you linked is shrill, poorly written, & intentionally misrepresents the views of the people it attacks. When we disagree with you, we address your words/views explicitly, & do not resort to wild ad hominem attacks. You're better than this, Jerry.
5)We are believing God for #LynchburgRevival to be a powerful counter-witness to white Christian nationalism-marked by fasting, repentance, prayer, preaching, worship, & foot-washing. We aren't coming to demonize you. We are coming to lift up the One at whose name demons tremble.
6) It seems your primary public message these days is "it's okay to be a Christian & be for Trump." Friend, if you let Jesus get a hold of your heart, you'll be occupied with better things than defending this man. You'll proclaim the good news of the One in need of no defense!
We are not interested in moving Christians from one end of a broken political continuum to another (right to left). We want to be part of a Church that repents of racism & nationalistic pride, & goes the way of our humble King & his kingdom. Stop trying to change the subject.
7) Finally, it seems that the only way you are willing to engage any of us is with brief, glib, inaccurate drive-by tweets. Okay. Are you ready to have a serious conversation about God, Scripture, & politics? Because I am. What is there to be afraid of?
You are trained as a lawyer; I'm just a hillbilly Pentecostal. You've got folks to do PR & a campus police force; I've got a Bible, no staff, & don't own a gun. I've got a substantive different take on the relationship of Church to state, but zero beef with you personally...
If you ever want to have a real conversation about these things with me (or any of us), feel free to name the place & time. Will be there. We are already having a conversation in the public square-I think something face-to-face would be helpful/constructive.
Otherwise...I do love Lynchburg in the Spring. Looking forward to seeing many of God's sons & daughters there soon who are not looking for proximity to a President, but hungry to experience the power of Pentecost.
