The Reformed Advisor

Tag: political

Would You Like Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos to be Your Boss?

Posted on May 30, 2018 in Money by

Any CEO of a publicly traded company that relies on other people’s money to conduct business should treat questions about his company with more respect. Showing such contempt for shareholders as Musk has is no way to run a company.

Maybe Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon will do better at respecting shareholders money.

Maybe not.

How Identity Politics is Costing You Money

Posted on April 17, 2018 in Money, Public Policy by

In recent years we’ve become more knowledgeable about the causes many corporations support than their actual services. Scores of people can’t tell you what’s inside a Hobby Lobby store, but they know they would never step foot inside because they support traditional marriage. Others have no idea what an AR style gun is and don’t know a single NRA member by name, but they know both are evil.

The NBA Moving the 2017 All-Star Game is Really Irritating. But Not for the Reason You Think

Posted on August 3, 2016 in Public Policy, Sexuality by

The NBA has decided to move the 2017 all-star game because it doesn’t like a state law requiring people to use the bathroom that corresponds with their biological gender! Can’t make this up.

Last week the NBA announced that it would be moving the 2017 all-star game from Charlotte, NC in light of the state’s recently passed bill requiring people to use the bathroom that corresponds with their biological gender. That is an irritating turn of events for several reasons.

The NBA’s statement on the issue is chock-full of silly and hypocritical statements. Take a look:

Church Silence on Critical Moral Issues is Aiding Sin and Perverting the Gospel

Posted on November 4, 2015 in Public Policy, Religious Freedom by

I have long been an interested party in how the Gospel propels us into social involvement. The idea that as Christians we can stick our head in the sand and pretend everything is okay in our society seems both unbiblical and counter-intuitive to what Scripture teaches. That we should be active in helping “the least of these” and doing everything in our power to champion them seems obvious given the Bible’s teaching (see the book of James).

What I have come to realize is that many churches, pastors, and Christians are the least active, least involved (seemingly the least concerned) about matters that have come to be known as “social justice” issues. Whether this is due to such issues becoming highly politicized, or whether it is a result of poor theology is unclear. What is clear is that far too many Christians have little concern for anything that faintly smells political.

Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not suggesting we all quit our jobs and run for political office. That calling must be clear as the person called to run for office will need every ounce of grace and strength God will grant. But as Christians we cannot sit on the sidelines and bemoan the state of our culture and society (politically or morally) while we do absolutely nothing. No one like a backseat driver or am armchair quarterback.

So while a few churches have taken any interest in the world outside their Bible-insulated walls, most have stayed content to meet each week to condemn society, gossip about sinful neighbors, and remain idle. This is lamentable at best. And I wish more churches would connect the Gospel to local and global action that reaches beyond week long mission trips. In fact, I firmly believe that if most churches became involved in “campaigning” for change in their communities we would see our society changed into something more in line with our theology.

But, to be honest, I am not optimistic or hopeful that this will happen.

The Johnson Amendment: Freeing America’s Pastors from IRS Intimidation Means Repealing It

Posted on October 22, 2014 in Religious Freedom by

Most people have never heard of the Johnson Amendment. For that matter as soon as you say IRS code you will lose most of your audience. Nevertheless, this one amendment has had a significant impact on churches and, as a result, on society as a whole.

The Johnson Amendment was inserted into the IRS code in 1954 as a way to limit the speech of pastors and churches regarding elections, political campaigns, and social and political issues. Taking a cue from the fictitious “separation of church and state,” the Johnson Amendment seeks to control the speech of America’s pastors because of the influence they wield.

No doubt the effects of the Johnson Amendment are clear today. At one time America’s pastors took a leading role in education their congregations regarding political issues and candidates, now, most pulpits are silent.

Do You Know What the “Gay Rights Platform” Is? If Not You Will Be Shocked!

Posted on August 11, 2014 in Marriage, Public Policy, Sexuality by

The question is, “Do you know what that gay rights agenda is?

In an article for WND, pastor, writer, and human rights consultant Dr. Scott Lively has explained in great detail exactly what the gay rights agenda is, and how it is being accomplished. And he’s done so using their own writings.

Take for example the 1972 Gay Rights Platform. This platform was adopted in 1972 when more than 200 homosexual organizations met in Chicago to write and adopt it. Why should it matter to you? Because nearly every plank in this platform has been achieved. A platform that is more than 40 years old has been implemented with surgical precision. Check for yourself, read the platform and check off how many of their goals have been accomplished.

FEDERAL LEVEL:

1) Amend all federal Civil Rights Acts, other legislation and government controls to prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations and public services.

Atheist Groups Rejoice Over IRS Decision to Monitor Churches. But Should They?

Posted on July 31, 2014 in Public Policy, Religious Freedom by

Good news! The IRS has agreed to start monitoring churches more closely concerning political speech. Doesn’t that make you feel safe?

Apparently a lawsuit brought against the IRS by the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) has resulted in an agreement between the atheist group and the IRS to spend more time monitoring churches. After all, we can’t have churches giving direction to their congregations about critical issues, and where candidates stand on those issues. (Alliance Defending Freedom has sent a FOIA request to the IRS asking for these new policies.)

The lawsuit was first prompted in 2009 as a result of the nationwide ‘Pulpit Freedom Sunday” campaign started by Alliance Defending Freedom. This campaign was started as an effort to challenge the unconstitutional “Johnson Amendment” that was inserted into the IRS code back in 1954. The Amendment makes it illegal for tax-exempt organizations to engage in electioneering, broadly defined as endorsing one political candidate or another.

Yes! Pastors Should Preach “Political” Messages

Posted on July 1, 2014 in Marriage, Sexuality, Theology by

I’m a major advocate of pastors talking about “politics” from the pulpit. It has nothing to do with the fact that I’m a pastor, or that I’m a political junky. It has to do with my belief that at the core of every Christian is a theology that orders his or her worldview. That worldview dictates daily actions and interactions. For this reason it is critical that pastors address “political issues” from the pulpit.

Now, I want to make sure we are on the same page. When I say “political issues” I don’t mean that pastors should talk about the IRS, or the FCC, or whether our current foreign policy is working, or the state of our military. Those are not the “political” issues I have in mind.

When I say pastors should discuss political issues from the pulpit I am referring to issues that are, in fact, biblical moral issues that have been hijacked by our highly politicized culture.

Issues such as abortion, marriage, sexuality, and gender roles are not political issues; these issues are biblical moral issues that demand attention, clear communication, and biblical grounding.

Disney Show for Kids Features Lesbian Couple

Posted on February 3, 2014 in Marriage by

The Disney kids show “Good Luck Charlie” recently featured a lesbian couple in an episode that some loved and others did not. The episode featured the “parents” of one of Charlie’s friends that happen to be two women.

What is most concerning to me was actually articulated by Miley Cyrus as she praised Disney for the episode. She tweeted:

‘I commend Disney for making this step into the light of this generation. They control…so much of what kids think!

Ding ding! That’s the point. Disney has significant influence in the lives of children. To promote homosexuality to young kids watching this show isn’t appropriate. This is a subject parents ought to be discussing with their kids when the parents are ready. Sensitive subject matter such as this should not be forced into homes because Disney wants to make a political statement. Disney has now played their hand and let everyone know where they stand on this issue. I suppose we will see Disney advocate for marriage redefinition in the near future, perhaps with a new animated movie featuring two princesses.

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