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“Convictional Kindness” – A Model Offered by Dr. Russell D. Moore

The disruption created within me is palpable. Trying to figure out how to relate within a Christian worldview that is shrinking and being replaced by who knows what and anything goes and who cares is a challenge. It’s the world view that offers: I’ll do my thing and you do yours and I’ll accept you and you accept me UNLESS you are a Christian with convictions that tangle with and step on my politically correct toes.

That is why reading about an interview by The Wall Street Journal with Dr. Russell D. Moore was so encouraging.  A clarion voice, he joins others in the respectful conversation category and models for those of us who are trying to figure out how to do this culture dance with civility and maintenance of our biblical convictions – without being rude, angry and obnoxious.

Because a friend recommended this…As quoted from the online Baptist Press in portions excerpted here:

“WASHINGTON (BP) — The convictional but kind approach to cultural engagement promoted by the Southern Baptist Convention's lead ethicist has gained the attention of one of the country's top newspapers.

The Wall Street Journal profiled Russell D. Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, in a front-page article Tuesday (Oct. 22). The article sets Moore's approach since taking office in June — maintaining strong biblical stands on such issues as abortion and same-sex marriage while communicating kindness and grace to those who disagree — in the context of the change it represents from the previous tone often used by conservative Christian leaders.

“We are involved in the political process, but we must always be wary of being co-opted by it," Moore told reporter Neil King Jr. "Christianity thrives when it is clearest about what distinguishes it from the outside culture.

"

Evangelicals should refrain from becoming "mascots for any political faction," Moore said. 

Instead, he urges church leaders to address the "visceral recoil" among young evangelicals to the cultural war by being "winsome, kind and empathetic," according to the article.

Evangelicals should continue to work for justice, but "we must also remember that we are not Americans first," Moore said at his inauguration in Washington, according to the newspaper. "We belong to another kingdom."


To read the complete version on line go to http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=41340

How akin to I Peter 3:15 is this approach: “but in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. Keeping a clear conscience so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

We need to know what we believe and we need to have a strong biblical foundation for these beliefs. But how we engage the culture with this biblical foundation is what we need help with. Articles like the above and leaders like Dr. Moore can inform our actions and model for us a way to be that is in keeping with biblical convictions but with kindness.

This same friend who alerted me to the above article forwarded another link that is a must watch http://erlc.com/article/event-oct10. Click on it for "Event: Faith, Culture & Religious Freedom in 21st Century America". Dr. Moore is one of the panelists presenting.

 

Gail Seidel served as Mentor Advisor for Spiritual Formation in the Department of Spiritual Formation and Leadership at Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) and as an Adjunct Professor in the D Min in Spiritual Formation in the D Min Department at Dallas Theological Seminary. She has a BA in English from the University of Texas, a Masters in Christian Education from Dallas Seminary and a D Min in Spiritual Formation from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She is a contributor to the textbook, Foundations of Spiritual Formation, Kregel Academic. She served as co-director for Christian Women in Partnership Russia with Entrust, an international church leadership-training mission. She and her husband Andy live in Fredericksburg, Texas. They have 2 married children and 6 wonderful grandchildren--Kami, Kourtney, Katie, Mallory, Grayson, and Avery.