Townhall.com, Where Your Opinion Counts
Talk Radio:   Bill Bennett   Mike Gallagher   Dennis Prager   Michael Medved   Hugh Hewitt   
BREAKING NEWS  LeftArrow - Townhall.com : Conservative, Political, Republican   RightArrow - Townhall.com : Conservative, Political, Republican  
Columns, funnies & more in your inbox!
Login | What's Hot
  • Check the boxes and send us your email address to receveive your free newsletter
  • Your daily must-read of conservative columns, cartoons and news. Coulter, Sowell, Krauthammer and more.
  • Townhall.com’s weekly inside scoop on what’s happening behind the scenes in the world of politics. When news breaks, we report.
  • Signup to receive the latest daily Townhall cartoons
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Frank Pastore :: Townhall.com Columnist
Outing the Emergents With Three Questions
by Frank Pastore
Forward Print Share Single Page
Vote on It:
Average Vote:
[+] Text [-]
 
 
Poll
Was the Copenhagen Global Warming Summit Walk-Out a Win for the U.S.?


Now that that’s out of the way…

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Here are three questions to “out” someone either already in or starting to dabble with all this Emergent-PoMo stuff. (“PoMo is inside lingo for “post-modern.”)

1. If Christianity is not objectively true, if the Bible is not the inerrant Word of God, if the Cross is not the greatest expression of Divine Love but an example of “divine child abuse,” if one can merit heaven without a having a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, if God doesn’t hate sin, if wrath is not an attribute of God, if there is no personal devil and if a conscious and eternal hell is not real, then… Why be a Christian?

D. A. Carson says, “I have to say, as kindly but as forcefully as I can, that to my mind, if words mean anything, both McLaren and Chalke have largely abandoned the gospel.” (Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church, p. 186.)

This question on theology is really the only question you’ll need. But, if you have the time, also expose their liberal views toward radical Islam, American exceptionalism, and gay marriage.

2. If radical Islam is not evil, if appeasement and surrender are the best responses to military aggression, if there’s nothing we can do to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, or al Qaeda, Hamas, Hezbollah, or any other terrorist organization from murdering innocent civilians, if we can’t prevent another terrorist attack on American soil or anywhere else, and if you believe living as a dhimmi under sharia law and having your grand-daughter forced to wear a berka is no big deal, then… Should we surrender to al Qaeda now so that we can have “Peace For Our Time?”

3. If morality is culturally defined, if the Bible must be “contextualized” by each successive generation, if sins must be understood in cultural context, then… Is homosexuality a sin? Adultery? Fornication? Abortion? Infanticide? How about driving SUV’s? Not buying carbon offsets? Smoking? Capitalism? Low tax rates on “the rich?” Would you support a Protection of Marriage Amendment or a Gay Marriage Amendment?

Bottom line: I’ve never come across an emergent that is a political and social conservative, let alone a theological conservative. This whole movement isn’t about reaching the world for Christ. It’s about advancing a liberal social and political agenda in the name of Christianity. Don’t fall for it.
1 2
| Full Article & Comments | < Previous
Share:
Forward Print Single Page
Vote on It:
Average Vote:
 
About The Author
The Frank Pastore Show is heard in Los Angeles weekday afternoons on 99.5 KKLA and on the web at kkla.com, and is the winner of the 2006 National Religious Broadcasters Talk Show of the Year. Frank is a former major league pitcher with graduate degrees in both philosophy of religion and political philosophy.
 
TOWNHALL DAILY: Be the first to read Frank Pastore's column. Sign up today and receive Townhall.com daily lineup delivered each morning to your inbox.

Join The Debate!

Post Your Comment
(176 comments so Far)
View in ascending order     View in descending order
Reply # 1
Date: Aug 4, 2007 - 5:40 PM EST
Gabby writes: 04, 2007 2:47 PM

Judge Roy Moore.

I feel that he was perfectly in agreement with the letter of the constitution and the spirit of it.

His statue was privately funded and in no way violated the precepts of the first amendment which cleary, in black and white, state that CONGRESS shall not establish...religion..etc.

Judge Moore was the judiciary, was not congress and established nothing. He was railroaded.

DESKJOCKEY RESPONDS

I could see the US congress making a law to remove religion from Federal courts. They have no authority over state courts except for limited issues in an appellate function. As the SC took it upon itself to evolve into the concept of “incorporation” they now have authority over how many inches of toilet paper you wipe yourself with. Moore was specifically given the job to decorate the court. He fulfilled his function to the best of his ability. The real problem is the left was sending out fundraisers about Moore and the 10 commandments saying do you want this for a Supreme Court Justice and the end to abortion, check off $10, $25, $50, $1,000 or whatever you can give. That was the issue and Bush, the executive branch,removed it. We must remember we had state religions and religious test instituted after the Constitution was signed, by some of the drafters of the First Amendment to boot. So they had a very different understanding than our activist courts of today.
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 2
Date: Aug 3, 2007 - 3:34 PM EST
lonestarblues writes: 02, 2007 7:35 AM


You say "I agree that the religious right in the past several years is striking back."

Making those who do not only liberal activists, asking government to interfere in our lives, but also flip floppers after years of decrying liberal activism.

I think the Founders envisioned this very thing. See Madison's Federalist 10.

DESKJOCKEY REPSONDS

I think the anti-federalist envisioned it.

http://www.constitution.org/afp/pennmi00.htm
Flag as Offensive
Sign Up to Post Your CommentsSign Up to Post Your Comments
If you are already registered, click here to login. Otherwise, please take a few seconds to register with Townhall.com. Once you sign up, you’ll be able to post your comments immediately, use the action center, get podcasts, and more!
Note: Fields marked with a red asterisk (*) are required.
Salutation:
First Name:
*
Last Name:
*
Email:
*
Nickname:
*
Note: Nick name will be shown when you post comments.
Address 1:
*
Address 2:
City:
 *
State:
 *
Zip:
 *
Phone:
       
Your daily must-read of conservative columns, cartoons and news. Coulter, Sowell, Krauthammer and more.
(Bi-Weekly) We highlight the best opportunities from our partners for surveys, action items and more.