I just returned from Mexico City two days ago. I was there with a group of college students from UCLA on a “mission trip”. It was called a mission trip but was much more a learning trip. It wasn’t the traditional go and serve all day mission trip. Instead we went and were taught about topics such as history, politics, economics, and theology. We heard many different opinions on these topics and many were controversial to our American Christian worldview. A question was raised that I can’t get and don’t want to get out of my head. Are you more of a Christian or more of an American Christian? If you grew up in a conservative church in the states like me this might rattle you a bit. I don’t know what to do with this question yet but I know what I want. I want to be a Christian with nothing else attached to it. I want to follow Jesus and Jesus alone. And if doing so happens to be controversial to my political affiliation or nationality then so be it. I say this not to bash being American, because I love this country and am so greatful for the freedom that we have and I know that fredom has come at a cost. But rather I say this to make sure I am following the one. I want to follow Him wherever He leads me even if it is unpopular. Jesus spent most of His ministry caring for the poor, the oppressed, and the sinners. Do we have true compassion on the least of these as well or do we care more about the state of our economy?
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Christian Taylor
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April 7, 2008 at 4:18 am
paul cater
I would think the underlying theme of both schools of thought would be that sin has entered the world and effects both rich and poor. Everyone needs the saving power of Jesus and to gain freedom from sin so to carry out our purpose on earth. How can this ‘liberation theology’ have such a hard focus on the literal poor? Though I have not been literally oppressed financially nor by government, i have experienced pain and loss and suffering.
Here two questions:
What do you think of Che Guevera?
What do you make of the verse: blessed are the poor in spirit?