Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day

[Jim_Krauser]

Off topic alert: 
While we may have similar and perhaps compatable (though that could be argued) positions regarding the presence of Christ in the Eucharist with the Roman Church, our understanding of it as a means of Grace is quite different.  The Roman Church teaches that benefits can be received from the consecrated host without actually eating it.  Lutherans might agree that Christ is present in the bread present in the ciborium but no Lutheran should acknowledge that there is any benefit to be had from it apart from eating (and drinking), nor is the sacrament to be "adored" apart from reception.

Interesting use of quotations.  What are your thoughts on those who comment on/refer to homosexual "marriage?"

The use of the quotations was probably grammatically incorrect, though my inclination to use them was based on the idea that adore in this context was meant as shorthand referent for the specific devotion:  Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  Thus my use was regarding "adore" as a term of art. 
No doubt the persons practicing the devotion are actually and truly adoring it, idolatrous as that might seem to reformed sensabilities or as an improper (ab)use of the sacrament..

[Linda]

Dan Cathy And The Silence Of Many Churches
Written on August 5, 2012 by admin in Uncategorized

Chick-fil-A reported record sales last Wednesday as thousands showed support for owner Dan Cathy and his stance on Biblical marriage. However, while individual believers stood in long lines to publicly endorse God's plan for the family and vent their frustration at the media's criticism of Dan Cathy's Biblical stance, a number of churches seemed to opt out of the conflict.

While the mayors of three large cities and a few University administrators were publicly threatening to ban Chick-fil-A, and while the discussion was the hot news topic of the week, there were many ministers who said little or nothing at all. Church members from across the country are puzzled as to why. When a Christian brother is beaten up by the world and left wounded on the side of the road why would church leaders just pass by on the other side and not get involved?

Some are fearful of criticism. No one likes to get nasty emails or hear derogatory comments about their church. If you stand for Biblical marriage you are sure to be accused of being bigoted, hateful, or intolerant. Dan Cathy is a prime example. Jesus said, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me". (Matthew 5:11) But it doesn't feel blessed when it happens, and it seems many Christian leaders do everything they can to avoid persecution. Perhaps they love the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Some leaders think it's wise to stay out of the fray in order to better evangelize the lost. Ministers know one of the primary reasons people are turned off to the church today is because of its stance on homosexuality. They fear that if their church gets a reputation as being homophobic then an increasing number of people – both gay and straight -will refuse to visit. They think a bad public image makes it more difficult to evangelize. After all, it doesn't make good sense to alienate the very people they're trying to win. So these church leaders continue to keep silent in hopes that Dan Cathy and those who believe as he does will survive the attacks. They pass by on the other side of the road because they don't want to be found guilty by association.

Another contributing factor for their silence is a sensitivity for hurting church members. Many of us have relatives or close friends who are involved in the LGBT lifestyle. We love them and we're praying they come to know the Lord and obey His Word. They may even be attending church and we don't want the preacher saying anything that will alienate them or confirm their erroneous suspicions that they're not welcome.

As a result, when the preacher takes a stand that could be interpreted as anti-gay he gets criticism from family members who are disappointed at his lack of sensitivity for their situation. The preacher doesn't want to hurt already wounded souls, so he keeps quiet.

Perhaps the primary reason not much is said in church anymore is the cultural war is passé. The younger generation of Christian leaders is tired of the cultural war. In their minds it was fought (and lost) by the previous generation. They feel it's time to acknowledge it doesn't do any good to get involved in social and political issues so let's focus on repenting of our own sins and deepening our Christian walk. After all, there are so many other issues that the rest of us struggle with every day; gossip, greed, indifference, hypocrisy. Why single out one sin and focus so much time on it?

Not long ago a young Christian blogger in North Carolina wrote an article entitled "How to Win a Culture War and Lose a Generation." She was upset that the controversial initiative to ban gay marriage in North Carolina had alienated so many. It was painfully polarizing. She pleaded for "less waging war and more washing feet." The cultural war made her feel "awkward" in her circle of friends.

Really? You're "tired"? Afraid to feel "awkward"? Tell that to John the Baptist who lost his life speaking out against the sexual sins of the king. Or what about Stephen or James or Peter or Dietrich Bonhoeffer or Jim Elliot or Nate Saint or scores of other martyrs who have lost their lives standing for Christ and His Word. Did Jesus condemn John the Baptist for speaking out against a politician? No. Jesus said "Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist" (Matthew 11:11) We are commanded to be faithful unto death. Jesus said, "If anyone is ashamed of me, AND MY WORDS,... the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in His father's glory." (Mark 8:38)

So while the world wages war against Biblical marriage, many Church leaders hunker down in foxholes of silence hoping the fighting will subside and church-life will get back to normal. But like it or not, we are involved in an intense spiritual battle. Martin Luther once said, "If I be valiant all along the battle line except at the point where Satan is pressing his attack, I am not valiant for Christ."

Here are four reasons why church leaders need to speak up consistently and courageously:

Our silence is not saving homosexuals. Sin separates us from God and leads to death. The church is required to call people to acknowledge their sin and repent. And, yes, churches want to be known for what they're for, not for what they're against. We want a reputation for loving people, not condemning them. But failing to call people away from a sinful lifestyle is neither loving nor caring. The proper response to a driver going the wrong way up an exit ramp is to blow the horn. To fail to sound a warning would be unconsionable even though initially the wayward driver doesn't want to hear it. The church must provide acceptance for repentant sinners and provide encouragement away from sinful lifestyles. And there are scores of Christians who were once involved in the LGBT lifestyle who have found their new identity in Christ because Christian leaders were not afraid to speak the truth.

Better now than later. Church leaders will soon have to take a stand one way or the other. The longer you wait to mow the grass or establish order in a classroom the more difficult it becomes. The longer you wait to let your congregation and community know where your church stands, the more flak and fallout you will experience. Churches cannot feign neutrality much longer.

Our silence is contributing to the loss of our children to the church. While we stay mum so we don't alienate the world, our own children and grandchildren are being swept away by the constant pro-gay propaganda coming from the media and the entertainment world. We assume they believe the same way we do, but when they hear little or nothing from God's Word on this issue they get swept away by the spirit of this age.

We are commissioned to preach the whole counsel of God regardless of consequences or we will be held accountable. We were not called into ministry to put our finger in the air and see which way the cultural winds are blowing and adjust. We were called to preach the word "in season and out of season" and not just "say what itching ears want to hear." (2 Timothy 4:1-5) And the Bible clearly warns us about our failure to do so: "When I say to the wicked, 'You wicked person, you will surely die,' and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood." (Ezekiel 33:

John Calvin said "A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw the truth of God attacked and yet would remain silent." In the end, we will be judged not by the favorable impression we have in the world but by our faithfulness in proclaiming God's truth. That takes boldness ... and constant vigilance. But we are following in the footsteps of forefathers who, "loved not their lives even unto death". For "Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act." – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Well-written opinion by Bob Russell.

Linda

[George Erdner]

I ate a Chick-fil-A sandwich on Monday for lunch. I had no political motive for doing so. I was hungry, and I like spicy chicken sandwiches. As fast food sandwiches go, it was delicious.

[Dan Fienen]

One disturbing aspect to all this is that after being assured that those who do not support gay marriage, are on the loosing side of history and are becoming a distinct minority as most people, especially in the younger generation, support gay marriage and disapprove of those who do not.  With that information one would expect that the support Chick-fil-A would have been a bust with all those majority of right minded people potesting Chick-fil-A, not eating there.  They would have then turned out for the protest day.

How disappointing that the real event did not live up to what we have been assured we should have expected and admonished to modify our own views and opinions to go with where history is leaving us and Chick-fil-A in the dust.

Dan

[Hillwillliam]

This is not merely a political ploy. It represents the reaction of those who are tired of their constitutional rights being stepped on by secular power groups. This country was founded in part on guarantees of religious freedom and freedom of speech.

This is only the beginning of the fight to restore our religious freedom. The Baptists aren't the only ones rejecting this incarnation of "newspeak" that attempts to keep Christians from speaking the truth. The open letter "Free Exercise of Religion: Putting Beliefs into Practice" was signed by leaders of many denominations including LCMS, NALC, WELS, and the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, Archbishops of the Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox, Evangelical, Assembly of God, Islamic Society, etc. I'm sure you have heard of this letter so won't go on about it. As an example of just how serious these folks are about defending our freedom of speech and religion I would like to refer you to a youtube video put out by the Catholic Church.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=D9vQt6IXXaM&hd

I, for one, am tired of being told what I can think.

God's Peace
Gary Hinton

[Charles_Austin]

Give us some examples, Mr. Hinton, of where you are being "told what to think." You might be hearing voices saying you "should" think this way or that, but those voices come from all sides of the social and political spectrum. That is quite different.
There is a discussion on another part of this forum about whether the debate over health care is a freedom of religion issue or not; and there are nuances and differences on many sides.

[Hillwillliam]

I did give you examples. Read the Open Letter and watch the video and you have all the examples needed. The letter can be downloaded at the LCMS websight signed by one of the most ecumenical groups I have ever seen. Letter can be found at: www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=1861

Of course if your point is that I don't have the right to believe that being forced to financially support the recreational sex of others.... you may want to call the thought police.

[Norman Teigen]

RE #141   The Evangelical Lutheran Synod has, regrettably, gotten into this mess.  One reason for this is that an extreme right-wing member of the ELS is running for Congress in the First Minnesota District.  This man is also on the ELS Doctrinal Committee.  This man's financial director is a member of the ELS Doctrinal Committee.  This candidate's pastor is the secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod.  The similarities between the candidate's public comments and the ELS Proclamation on the subject are remarkably similar.   It is not a good thing when a church body embraces partisan secular politics. 

Norman Teigen, Layman
Evangelical Lutheran Synod

[Robert Johnson]

It is not a good thing when a church body embraces partisan secular politics. 

Somebody should notify the ELCA!

[Bergs]

This is a very excellent post.  Two men being able to talk to each other over the great divide and maybe get to a greater understanding of each other despite their disagreements.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shane-l-windmeyer/dan-cathy-chick-fil-a_b_2564379.html

Brian J. Bergs
Minneapolis, MN

[Matt Hummel]

I just note that it was the "hater" who reached out.