He Gets Us campaign

[ozso]

Here's some things Jesus said about hate:

You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Matthew 10:22; Mark 13:13

Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Luke 6:22

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26

Everyone will hate you because of me. Luke 21:17

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. John 15:18

If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. John 15:19

 

[ozso]

My church is going to be using materials from the "He Gets Us" campaign for the next few weeks. Some people aren't happy about it.

Ah so that's how it's operating. Interesting. I remain skeptical about the whole affair for now. So far it looks too much like the ongoing trend of making Christianity popular by producing a secularized version of it.

 

[ozso]

I looked up "secularized" to make sure I wasn't making up a word and got:

In sociology, secularization is a multilayered concept that generally denotes "a transition from a religious to a more worldly level."

 

[Hazelelponi]

Not EVERYTHING in Liberation Theology is dead wrong.

Actually, it is. Dead Wrong.

Was it this thread I went through the whole, right thing, right way or it's sin? I'll have to link you to my post.

He Gets Us campaign

I assume many of you saw that "He Gets Us" Super Bowl commercial or maybe some of you have experience with the organization seem like it was very controversial--I am curious to hear your thoughts on it

www.christianforums.com

^^^ it was this thread... Lol

But there you go. Liberation theology is no different than radical Islam, and the core of it is evil. Rotten to the core.

Even the church from which liberation theology sprang denounced it as destructive, literally physically destructive heresy - so not just the puritans here saying it.

the only reason there's a change in their tune is because they elected the head honcho of liberation theology to be Pope, which apparently is causing their own crisis (we should pray for them, they really need it)

Article quote:

"
We must remember that Marx — and like him Marxists — opposed effective reforms that would improve the lives of the needy. Such half-measures, he scoffed, would merely lull the poor into a false sense of hope and slow down the Revolution. Instead, good Marxists must sow division, encourage class hate, and everywhere sharpen the antagonism and resentments in society — the better to fan a conflagration that would at last be drenched in blood. Only after the liquidation of entire social classes and the seizure of absolute power by Marxist ideologues who scoffed at quaint Christian notions such as morality and due process would the New Jerusalem of a classless society with limitless wealth sprout up from the earth which the Marxists had scorched.

So yes, Marxism has Christian DNA, the way that tumors have the DNA of the patient whom they are killing. If Pope Francis really isn’t consciously trying to kill the church, he ought to stop dosing the Body of Christ with carcinogens.
"

Do Christians and Communists Have the Same Goals, as Pope Francis Claims? - The Stream

Pope Francis is praising Communists as sharing the same values and goals as Christians. He's out of his mind.

stream.org

^^^ that's what Catholics think. Not puritans.

That which is devoid of life can only produce death.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Actually, it is. Dead Wrong.

Was it this thread I went through the whole, right thing, right way or it's sin? I'll have to link you to my post.

He Gets Us campaign

I assume many of you saw that "He Gets Us" Super Bowl commercial or maybe some of you have experience with the organization seem like it was very controversial--I am curious to hear your thoughts on it

www.christianforums.com

^^^ it was this thread... Lol

But there you go. Liberation theology is no different than radical Islam, and the core of it is evil. Rotten to the core.

Even the church from which liberation theology sprang denounced it as destructive, literally physically destructive heresy - so not just the puritans here saying it.

the only reason there's a change in their tune is because they elected the head honcho of liberation theology to be Pope, which apparently is causing their own crisis (we should pray for them, they really need it)

Article quote:

"
We must remember that Marx — and like him Marxists — opposed effective reforms that would improve the lives of the needy. Such half-measures, he scoffed, would merely lull the poor into a false sense of hope and slow down the Revolution. Instead, good Marxists must sow division, encourage class hate, and everywhere sharpen the antagonism and resentments in society — the better to fan a conflagration that would at last be drenched in blood. Only after the liquidation of entire social classes and the seizure of absolute power by Marxist ideologues who scoffed at quaint Christian notions such as morality and due process would the New Jerusalem of a classless society with limitless wealth sprout up from the earth which the Marxists had scorched.

So yes, Marxism has Christian DNA, the way that tumors have the DNA of the patient whom they are killing. If Pope Francis really isn’t consciously trying to kill the church, he ought to stop dosing the Body of Christ with carcinogens.
"

Do Christians and Communists Have the Same Goals, as Pope Francis Claims? - The Stream

Pope Francis is praising Communists as sharing the same values and goals as Christians. He's out of his mind.

stream.org

^^^ that's what Catholics think. Not puritans.

That which is devoid of life can only produce death.

See? You've reacted EXACTLY in the stereotypical way that I've described that right leaning evangelicals all too often do these days. You react with a knee-jerk, and you do so as if I had just said you need to go pet the obviously rabid dog just down the street. I made no such overture in this regard. And I noticed you made no effort to even engage James H. Cone.

I know you can do better than that, Sis!

Learn to discern better before making a definitive judgement. No one here is saying that you need to "embrace" Marxism. I don't. But we could embrace James and make a not too dissimilar, more mild, more compassionate, "Liberation Theology" if we wanted to.

And you don't even have to be African American or Latin American to do so ...

 

[Hazelelponi]

See? You've reacted EXACTLY in the stereotypical way that I've described that right leaning evangelicals all too often do these days. You react with a knee-jerk, and you do so as if I had just said you need to go pet the obviously rabid dog just down the street. I made no such overture in this regard.

I know you can do better than that, Sis!

Learn to discern better before making a definitive judgement. No one here is saying that you need to "embrace" Marxism. I don't. But we could embrace James and make a not too dissimilar, more mild, more compassionate "Liberation Theology" if we wanted to.

There can be no union between darkness and light.

I embrace what is right and true. That's all.

Marxists aren't lovely people with a good heart - they're lost sinners - and liberation theology doesn't know Christ...

I'm not going to lie to appease whatever you think needs appeased.

These are my absolutes. My personal red lines in the sand. If anyone doesn't like it I don't have to participate here but I will not lie or pretend.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

There can be no union between darkness and light.

I embrace what is right and true. That's all.

Marxists aren't lovely people with a good heart and liberation theology doesn't know Christ...

I'm not going to lie to appease whatever you think needs appeased.

Sis, you didn't even try to read and understand what I just said ... Do you always stone-wall like this?

 

[Hazelelponi]

Sis, you didn't even try to read and understand what I just said ... Do you always stone-wall like this?

What do you think I'm missing here?

What am I supposed to be considering?

 

[2PhiloVoid]

What do you think I'm missing here?

What am I supposed to be considering?

Maybe consider that Marx, being the Jewish person he was, was subconsciously pulling a few tropes of why and how "proletarian liberation" is an aspect of social conscience from his own heritage and then misconstruing those tropes. Not everything he said was absolutely wrong---just like 90% of it.

As for the late James H. Cone, an African-American Liberation Theologian, it's obvious that he had some interesting things to say, even if at the end of the day I'd lean more toward Thomas Sowell.

But alas, when I referred to James, I wasn't referring to James H. Cone. I was referring to the author of the letter in our New Testament.

 

[Stephen3141]

Maybe the campaign is the start of another Uber cab service: "He gets us!"

But seriously, saying that Jesus understands our situation, is hardly much
of a Christian message.

The Mormons could say this.
The Jehovah's Witnesses could say this.
The 7th Day Adventists could say this.
Donald Trump could say this (and retract it a day later).
Joel Olsteen could say this.
Vladimir Putin could say this.

The problem is that the slogan does not ground itself
in ANY orthodox Christian doctrines.

 

[Merrill]

Maybe the campaign is the start of another Uber cab service: "He gets us!"

But seriously, saying that Jesus understands our situation, is hardly much
of a Christian message.

The Mormons could say this.
The Jehovah's Witnesses could say this.
The 7th Day Adventists could say this.
Donald Trump could say this (and retract it a day later).
Joel Olsteen could say this.
Vladimir Putin could say this.

The problem is that the slogan does not ground itself
in ANY orthodox Christian doctrines.

agreed

Instead of expressing key aspect of the Gospel, the campaign took this Jesus-as-therapist / Jesus-as-peacekeeper angle.

We are not Christians because Jesus makes us feel good, or helps us love our neighbor. We are Christians because we realize the profound truth of the Gospel, and seek salvation

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Maybe the campaign is the start of another Uber cab service: "He gets us!"

But seriously, saying that Jesus understands our situation, is hardly much
of a Christian message.

The Mormons could say this.
The Jehovah's Witnesses could say this.
The 7th Day Adventists could say this.
Donald Trump could say this (and retract it a day later).
Joel Olsteen could say this.
Vladimir Putin could say this.

The problem is that the slogan does not ground itself
in ANY orthodox Christian doctrines.

Wow. And to think that I became a Christian because as I read through the Gospels (and the rest of the New Testament) for the first time as a teenager back in the 1980's. One thing first and foremost in my mind back then was that I felt like, "Jesus 'gets' me!," just like he fully understood so many He interacted with from reports we have in the New Testament.

Frankly, I'm sick and tired of "American Evangelicalism" .......................................... let's not pretend it's some form of pristine and resolute positioning that extols holiness and valor before the Lord. It often doesn't. Instead, it takes away too often with the Right hand what is seemingly offered with the Left, excusing itself with the loopholes of interpretation it, itself, devises.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

agreed

Instead of expressing key aspect of the Gospel, the campaign took this Jesus-as-therapist / Jesus-as-peacekeeper angle.

We are not Christians because Jesus makes us feel good, or helps us love our neighbor. We are Christians because we realize the profound truth of the Gospel, and seek salvation

mmmmmm.......yeah, I think we need to realize that 'faith' is a full person response, not merely a situated and dogmatic, politicized lip-service that sits passively on the couch (or in the pew) behind a "claim of belief."

What comes across these days from evangelicals is the notion that ALL they have to do is............................preach at people. And if they do that, they've somehow fulfilled their God-given mandate as Christians. The truth is, no, no they have not! And we see this failure going all the way back to before our colonial days.

No. I'd say it's time for Christians to either deal with the messy social reality we're all in on the whole or don't bother at all. And this doesn't mean rising up in some sort of coup or insurrection; it means actually learning to love the unloved.

 

[Merrill]

mmmmmm.......yeah, I think we need to realize that 'faith' is a full person response, not merely a situated and dogmatic, politicized lip-service that sits passively on the couch (or in the pew) behind a "claim of belief."

What comes across these days from evangelicals is the notion that ALL they have to do is............................preach at people. And if they do that, they've somehow fulfilled their God-given mandate as Christians. The truth is, no, no they have not! And we see this failure going all the way back to before our colonial days.

No. I'd say it's time for Christians to either deal with the messy social reality we're all in on the whole or don't bother at all. And this doesn't mean rising up in some sort of coup or insurrection; it means actually learning to love the unloved.

When Jesus sent His disciples out into the world to spread the word, he didn't tell them to help people with

1. Their taxes
2. Unplanned pregnancies
3. problem with their parents

or whatever "social issue" these people might be contending with. As Christians we help the poor--absolutely. We also spread the Gospel in any way we can. We are not therapists or people out to affirm or justify sin.

The disciples were preaching at people, but they were also praying with them. They did not water-down the message, and they did not compromise.

 

[RDKirk]

Well, CNN and AOC have both stated that their claim of being apolitical is false because they have supported anti-abortion and anti-LGBT organizations.

Charlie Kirk has stated they support liberal and left-wing ideology, referring to its backers as "woke tricksters".

I think both of those fail to understand what apolitical means. I think they fail to understand that engaging with others does not mean advocacy or acceptance. Christians looking to the whole bible for support on all issues will naturally run into political issues, and they may support one party more than the other, but they won't be partisan fan-boys. They will seek to understand and create relationship the people they are engaged with - that does not equal advocacy either.

My personal opinion is they are trying to reflect who they believe Jesus really was. The ad was not the misrepresentation conservatives are claiming this morning. Jesus did interact with the very people who were being rejected by their society. Study of John 4 reveals just how far out of bounds he was reaching when interacting with the woman at the well. They are imperfect I am sure in application as we all would be.

"Interacting" is a rather weaselly word that means anything and everything someone wants it to mean.

 

[RDKirk]

Also, I'm thinking folks had cleaner feet 2,000 years ago. So, it was a bit easier to do back then.

Walking in open sandals over Jerusalem streets paved by a thousand years of donkey dung, plus yesterday's fresh level of donkey dung? I doubt very seriously their feet were cleaner than those of people walking on concrete in enclosed shoes and socks.

And I've been a member of a foot-washing congregation.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Walking in open sandals over Jerusalem streets paved by a thousand years of donkey dung, plus yesterday's fresh level of donkey dung? I doubt very seriously their feet were cleaner than those of people walking on concrete in enclosed shoes and socks.

... yes, I know. (Hence my use of the ... )

And I've been a member of a foot-washing congregation.

Yes, I'm certain that you indeed have, RD. But I'm concerned that so many others here haven't, even though they give lip service to that very thing.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

When Jesus sent His disciples out into the world to spread the word, he didn't tell them to help people with

1. Their taxes
2. Unplanned pregnancies
3. problem with their parents

or whatever "social issue" these people might be contending with. As Christians we help the poor--absolutely. We also spread the Gospel in any way we can. We are not therapists or people out to affirm or justify sin.

The disciples were preaching at people, but they were also praying with them. They did not water-down the message, and they did not compromise.

This is laughable. You're committing the "interpretive right leaning skid" that I was alluding to earlier.

You can do better than that, Merrill. You have a PhD. Use it, brother!

 

[MForbes]

We are Christians because we realize the profound truth of the Gospel, and seek salvation

Many Christians are thriving on their free ticket to heaven......their "salvation". Believing that when they accept Jesus as the Messiah, they are free and clear of all sins they have or might commit. All they need to do is ask forgiveness if they do wrong, and get it. Problem is, they'll do it again, and again, and again with the "I can do what I want and always be forgiven...no problem".

IMO, that is evident in the attitudes and actions of today's far-right evangelicals and the "christian nationalism" that oozes out of their pores. They want to believe only the things that comfort them as far as their religion. That is why the lies and distortions of the truth they listen to prevail in their minds.

 

[Clare73]

When Jesus sent His disciples out into the world to spread the word, he didn't tell them to help people with
1. Their taxes
2. Unplanned pregnancies
3. problem with their parents
or whatever "social issue" these people might be contending with. As Christians we help the poor--absolutely. We also spread the Gospel in any way we can. We are not therapists or people out to affirm or justify sin.
The disciples were preaching at people, but they were also praying with them. They did not water-down the message, and they did not compromise.

Keeping in mind that Jesus' example of loving our neighbor was the good Samaritan--doing what is necessary for another who cannot do it for himself.