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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums'It's Disgusting, Blasphemous'! Megachurch Pastor Rebukes Trump Endorsed Bible
In a bold sermon that has gone viral, Pastor Loran Livingston of Central Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, delivers a powerful rebuke against the God Bless the USA Bible, endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Calling it disgusting and blasphemous, Pastor Livingston warns against the dangers of intertwining scripture with political symbols like the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Charlotte evangelical pastor in national spotlight, called Trump Bible disgusting
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article288076880.html
A Charlotte evangelical pastor is in the national spotlight for a fire-and-brimstone sermon denouncing as blasphemous and disgusting whats become known as the Trump Bible. Evangelicals are among the former presidents strongest backers, but Rev. Loran Livingston, the senior pastor of Central Church on Sardis Road condemned the Trump-endorsed God Bless the USA Bible, priced at $59.99. His April 14 sermon has drawn millions of views on social media. The bible homepage features a photo of a smiling Trump seated at what appears to be the Oval Office desk, although the website says Trump does not profit from sales of the book. Well, maybe with his base he does, but not with Livingston.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
The Trump Bible includes copies of the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, Pledge of Allegiance and the handwritten chorus to the song featured at Trump rallies: country singer Lee Greenwoods God Bless the USA. Dont fall for it, Livingston warned his flock at the packed 10:30 a.m. service. When you dont read and pray, you say, Wow, theres a Bible out now that includes the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, isnt that wonderful? he said. No! he shouted. Its disgusting. Its blasphemous. Its a ploy. Are you kidding me? Some of you are so encouraged by that? The gospel is not an American gospel, he said. It is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
MIXING POLITICS AND CHURCH
People that dont read (the Bible) and pray will get politics mixed up with church, Livingston said in his sermon thats on his congregations YouTube site. Some of you bring politics into the Church. You think that politics is spiritual stuff. No! he said. Your duty is to serve the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, body and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. Livingston couldnt be reached by The Charlotte Observer on Saturday. If you read the bible, he said, youd also know that voting is not a spiritual responsibility. My real citizenship is in heaven, from which we look for the Lord Jesus Christ, Livingston said.
BEND POLITICS TO THEOLOGY
Livingston joins at least one nationally prominent Christian conservative to rebuke the Trump Bible: Andrew Walker of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, The Christian Post reported. To put matters bluntly, a Bible like this should never have been made, Walker wrote March 28 in the Christian publication World, quickly adding that hes both pro-Bible and pro-Constitution. The Bible is not a symbol of American identity even while we proudly herald the Bible-influenced shape of American life and values, Walker wrote. There is an ever-present temptation to allow ones theology to bend to ones politics when it is our politics that should bend to our theology.
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duhneece
(4,133 posts)He is NOT a Trump supporting pastor.
Like Tim Alberta, he gets the best of what Christianity has to offer.
Celerity
(43,931 posts)duhneece
(4,133 posts)Otherwise I get overwhelmed with despair. Idled with despair.
Martin68
(23,052 posts)right on the money. His view of people using religion for political gain is absolutely correct.
Martin68
(23,052 posts)this world for reality. Buddhism and Hinduism have a similar understanding. He is of "the world is too much with us" camp.
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