by Chris Staron | May 25, 2021 | Episodes
Can Christianity and politics mix?
Christians throughout history have responded to politics in different ways. In our modern era, it can seem like Christianity and Republican politics are one and the same. But what do we do when the Bible clashes with our political party? What if our economic model leaves no room for the poor?
Author and theologian Kaitlyn Schiess joins us to talk about her book, “The Liturgy of Politics“, as well as how we can heal as a church. Can Christianity and politics mix? The answer depends on how we see that pairing.
Discussion Questions
- How have you seen politics and Christianity mixing in the US?
- Is there are healthy way for Christians to engage in politics?
- How have your politics informed your ideas of the poor?
- Do you think that all poor people are lazy?
- How can your local church reach out to people who look/speak/act differently that you do?
- How have you see Kaitlyn’s four false gospels play out in your life and church?
- Prosperity
- Patriotism
- Security
- Supremacy
by Chris Staron | Jan 19, 2021 | Episodes
Christian missionaries sometimes export the United States with their messages.
Melani McAlister, author of “The Kingdom of God Has No Borders” and Professor of American Studies and International Affairs at George Washington University, joins us to discuss how we export Christianity. In the 1950s and 1960s, American denominations sent white missionaries to Africa to share the good news. But with them went their bias and racism. This was the era of Jim Crow laws. Some missionaries took those laws to Africa, not allowing black people to eat at their tables.
In this episode, we examine the problem of tying the United States to Christianity. When the US makes mistakes or does evil, how does that reflect back on the church?
Christian missionaries sometimes export the United States with their messages. What else is going with our missionaries?
Discussion Questions:
- Have you ever been on a mission trip before? What was your motivation for going?
- Do you think that it is possible to marginalize the people we are trying to witness to?
- How do you feel about showing pictures of poor people in church presentations? How might that practice encourage churchgoers to marginalize a people group?
- Do you think poor people in other countries are happier?
- Is it okay for us to export the American way with the gospel? If yes, then which things should we export?
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