Important Note: Gary DeMar’s Facebook page has been taken down. To keep up with the latest from Gary and American Vision or to continue the conversation from articles, podcasts, or videos, please go to the AV Facebook page here.
Gary discusses the inconsistent application of religion and politics between the two American political parties.
One of the newest challenges to the Christian worldview as it relates to politics is “pluralism.” In theory, pluralism espouses an egalitarian religious and ethical theory based on the premise that exclusive religious beliefs (e.g., monotheism) have no place in the discussion of political issues.
Some advocates of pluralism recognize that religious values have a role to play both socially and politically, just like religion has a role to play in every aspect of life. For them, however, Christianity cannot be the only standard. Under this view of pluralism all religious and non-religious views are considered equal in establishing social and political norms. There can be no sure word from God.
Pluralism seems attractive because it eliminates the need to do battle over religious first principles. The hope is to find common ethical principles that all people can agree on. This is the argument of David Rensberger, professor of New Testament at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. He claims that groups like the ACLU would not object to having certain laws hanging on a courthouse wall so long as they are “tenets of a universal ethical code.” He argues that “all societies demand respect for elders and for marital unions, and forbid murder and theft—however they may define those concepts.” And that’s the problem! Cultures that believe in human sacrifice and cannibalism would not agree that they were violating the prohibition against murder found in the sixth commandment. Societies that still practice slavery would not agree that they were committing a crime or even a sin by stealing men and women (Ex. 21:16), a clear violation of the eighth commandment. What about abortion? Prior to 1973, abortion was considered a crime, a violation of the sixth commandment. This previous criminal procedure is now a constitutional right. Professor Rensberger has turned law into moral Silly Putty.
Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths
Too many Christians believe that the Bible is irrelevant this side of heaven. Christians, who make up about 35% of the population, have voluntarily abandoned the culture war, electing to hide the gospel under a bushel instead. Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths takes a closer look at God's Word and applies it to erroneous misinterpretations of the Bible that have resulted in a virtual shut-down of the church's full-orbed mission in the world (Acts 20:27). Due to these mistaken interpretations and applications of popular Bible texts to contemporary issues, the Christian faith is being thrown out and trampled under foot by men (Matt. 5:13).
Buy NowGary discusses the inconsistent application of religion and politics between the two American political parties. Churches and pastors MUST be involved not only in biblical studies, but in the application of such studies, including in politics. All biblical worldview issues have real-world application, which is the actual reason for teaching the biblical issues in the first place.