Vern the Voice August 18th, 2007

Why? What problem happens? Also, what do you mean by talking about leaving "God's view" out of worship?

Lance August 19th, 2007

The Australian church has been watching the politicization of the American church and created an event that de-rails that mentality.

They invited representatives from all denominations to Canberra (our version of Washington DC).

Our Prime Minister and Opposition leader (our version of..say…George W. and John Kerry in 2004) were BOTH allowed to address the same gathering of church leaders, and answer questions put by those leaders.

The video of the Thursday evening event was webcast live to churches across Australia, where a total of about 100,000 Christians had gathered.

They were asked to listen to each leader's views on matters of interest to Christians…and then weigh up their own voting intentions.

Both leaders BTW happen to be professing Christians.

As it turned out..the main issues that were canvassed were not the traditional 'left-right' old favourites from the US, but issues about welfare, poverty and foreign aid.

It was considered to be a worthwhile exercise for the way it set the tone for future Christian interventions in political matters.

So that's Australia.

I'm not sure though how you unscramble the egg in the US, because if you tried the same webcast event in churches there, it would just polarise people even more.

Maria August 23rd, 2007

Hey Steve,

I love your show on the radio, and usually I think you're right on the money, but I can't say I follow your thinking…I'm not great on specifically where verses are in the bible, but doesn't God say he wants us to bring everything to him?

Jim August 28th, 2007

I understand your desire to leave God out, especially when so much evil is done in that very name. But in reality there are no secular only venues. Everyone believes in something, or rather, all rational action is possible do to a greater accountability, and that affects every decision we make, especially in regards to government. We can't simply remove God or such accountability. Or if we could, do we not come to the same conclusion as Ivan Karamazov's contention that if there is no God, everything is permitted.

Fancy Geoff September 3rd, 2007

I'm right with you Steve.

From what I read all Steve is saying, people, is that we need to stop couching our own personal agendas in terms of God's will.

Steve Brown Etc. » Blog Archive » Maybe I Went Too Far September 4th, 2007

[...] was irritated and maybe I went too far in my comments about leaving God out of the political, social and relational stuff…I do that [...]

doyle September 8th, 2007

There was a man who went to a party. It was lavish and all the 'right' people were there.
He talked to a few people, but usually each person he talked to, would soon move away from him, going to talk to someone higher in the social register or more successful in business. After a while, the man realized that this was no place for him, so he left and went to a children's orphanage. There the outcasts and little people, left behind by main stream society, wanted to be with him, listen to his stories and play games with him. After a while he reluctantly left them with a promise he would come back and spend a much longer time with them.
The people at the party never talked or thought about him after he left them.
The children were sad to see him leave, but thought about him regularly, talked about the fun they has and will have with him, and looked for his return. The children had been given a new point of view by this man. So everything they said or did for the rest of their lives was affected by this man's time with them.
If God's presence in your life does not affect what you say or what you do, then you must be one from the party.

Jason November 14th, 2007

Might certain problems come as a result of the fact that people are in fact leaving God out of it rather than abiding in Him? (Sorry if that sounds too religious, I've been reading Andrew Murray).

If by "Leave God out of it" you mean that these people are really just following their own selfish desires and using God as an excuse to validate thier stupidity, I totally agree…

Erik November 14th, 2007

Knowing Steve, I'm pretty sure he meant the later.

Brian January 28th, 2008

It's very easy to wiggle out of a position on an issue when one fails to take a real stand on any! Maybe Steve wants you to think that only God knows what he really thinks…. I think he likes to stir the "pipe" to get people squawking, much in the way any radio "Shock Jock" would. If the content didn't matter and you felt free to take "both sides" regardless of the issue just so you could stay on the air and get paid….that's one thing. But here, people (regardless of how you want to be viewed) are looking for honest answers, of which it is your respnsibility as a believer to take a stand! The trouble with so many of the things you write confuses and bewilders many of us who would like a more "thought (not just felt) out response". Steve, you say one thing, and then you flip flop and then say you're having a bad day and didn't mean what you said?? People have come to love you just the way you are….you needn't worry about that. So why continue to patronize rhetorically to your own point of view?….(ie he's really trying to get across to us that it doesn't really matter how fruitless and baseless all this jibber jabber actually is…but if it brings people together, it must be a good thing!!) C'mon Steve….all those "strong views"….some of us would really enjoy hearing your thoughts on these issues….or do I have to buy a book for that?

Steve says,
"When we do much more than love in the Name of Christ, we move into dangerous territory.

I have strong views about global warming, the war on terror, candidates for political office, ecclesiology, education, health care and a great variety of other issues. In fact, I'm probably the most opinionated person you know. I know who is right and who is wrong. Not only that. I've prayed about those views and am probably right. But I've decided to leave God out of it."

Ok Steve,
Go ahead and leave God out if it….Many of us would really appreciate hearing "your" views on the subjects you mentioned. Thanks.

Jeremy November 3rd, 2008

You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. Exodus 20:7.

I think we should all be careful of slapping the name of God on our political agendas. Even if we are right, we may not be authorized.

In that regard, I think it probable that politics is not our core purpose for being here as followers of Jesus. Paul certainly didn't have any time for it. I Corinthians 2:2. And he told us to follow Christ as he did.

Daniele January 26th, 2010

I think I am going to move to Australia. when you guys finish fighting, let me know.
In the mid-time so much is wasted not loving as He commanded us to do.

And Doyle, I love that story, can I share it?