Mourning Charlie Kirk - for Anabaptists

[JohnH]

Even though this gentleman isn't an Anabaptist/Menno, (at least I don't think so), I thought his analysis of the so-called "gospel" message given at the memorial to be helpful and also echoed the concerns of the two writers shared at the beginning of this op. He may be overly strident for some tastes, (at one point using the F__st word) but I think his overall approach of comparing the Biblical, Jesus Gospel with the ok-sounding but slightly twisted version at the memorial; is something we should consider if we truly want to follow Jesus and His Way of doing things and His Way of bringing His kingdom into more fullness on earth as it is in heaven.

So, Jazman, is it okay for anyone other than plain Anabaptists to share the gospel message?

Because nearly every other sect thinks political messaging alongside the gospel is okay… as long as it’s politics they agree with.

[joshuabgood]

It is fascinating how after a person passes away, many of the less pleasant memories fade quickly, and how funerals so often become a time of 'ushering a person into heaven's gate'

This is super interesting to me also. And it raises important questions. For instance, I have never heard some one say, "such and such" was not living right with God and is now burning in hell. Be warned...etc etc. At worst, they say something like, this person had a hard life and struggled and God alone is the judge.

It seems we, Christians at least, are hardwired for a sort of universalism.

[Soloist]

It is fascinating how after a person passes away, many of the less pleasant memories fade quickly, and how funerals so often become a time of 'ushering a person into heaven's gate'

This is super interesting to me also. And it raises important questions. For instance, I have never heard some one say, "such and such" was not living right with God and is now burning in hell. Be warned...etc etc. At worst, they say something like, this person had a hard life and struggled and God alone is the judge.

It seems we, Christians at least, are hardwired for a sort of universalism.

I'm reminded of

Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

and

And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

Who is dead is no longer able to be helped, but if we care about all men, surely we would wish that God had mercy on them. Do we not desire mercy ourselves? Sometimes its obvious, a man died at our church (not attending) he ended up wrecking his car after stealing drugs from a drug dealer... Not much to imagine there. His family pushed back against the tenor of the service by saying "he accepted Jesus into his heart".
I don't want to judge, but I know his wife and I know enough to sadly feel relatively confident.

[barnhart]

It is fascinating how after a person passes away, many of the less pleasant memories fade quickly, and how funerals so often become a time of 'ushering a person into heaven's gate'

This is super interesting to me also. And it raises important questions. For instance, I have never heard some one say, "such and such" was not living right with God and is now burning in hell. Be warned...etc etc. At worst, they say something like, this person had a hard life and struggled and God alone is the judge.

It seems we, Christians at least, are hardwired for a sort of universalism.

Maybe it's easier to do with people we don't know or do not need to live near.

[mike]

It is fascinating how after a person passes away, many of the less pleasant memories fade quickly, and how funerals so often become a time of 'ushering a person into heaven's gate'

This is super interesting to me also. And it raises important questions. For instance, I have never heard some one say, "such and such" was not living right with God and is now burning in hell. Be warned...etc etc. At worst, they say something like, this person had a hard life and struggled and God alone is the judge.

It seems we, Christians at least, are hardwired for a sort of universalism.

Maybe it's easier to do with people we don't know or do not need to live near.

There's only one place and time where people are divided by their eternal destiny, and we aren't in charge of that.

[Bootstrap]

Even though this gentleman isn't an Anabaptist/Menno, (at least I don't think so), I thought his analysis of the so-called "gospel" message given at the memorial to be helpful and also echoed the concerns of the two writers shared at the beginning of this op. He may be overly strident for some tastes, (at one point using the F__st word) but I think his overall approach of comparing the Biblical, Jesus Gospel with the ok-sounding but slightly twisted version at the memorial; is something we should consider if we truly want to follow Jesus and His Way of doing things and His Way of bringing His kingdom into more fullness on earth as it is in heaven.

So, Jazman, is it okay for anyone other than plain Anabaptists to share the gospel message?

Because nearly every other sect thinks political messaging alongside the gospel is okay… as long as it’s politics they agree with.

The real question is this: Is the gospel they preach the gospel of Jesus, or does it replace His kingdom with another? I don't think plain Anabaptists are the only people who ask this question, and I don't think we need to "grade on a curve". This is really the whole point of Two Kingdom theology. And the Good News, as we understand it, is not praying a prayer to check the box and get eternal salvation, it is the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

Historically, many branches of Christianity have been cautious about mixing political messaging with the Gospel. The early church often understood the Good News as an alternative to political power, not something to be blended with it.

That caution was especially strong when political language started to sound like worship language. Whenever loyalty to rulers or nations was lifted up in ways that resembled devotion to God, Christians warned that this was dangerous. Many branches of the church still teach this today. You don’t have to be Anabaptist to hear warnings about tying the Good News too tightly to earthly politics. Catholic, Orthodox, and many Protestant voices say the same.

If it is the Gospel of Jesus, it is the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Does it proclaim Christ’s reign, or does it substitute another kingdom in its place?

[Robert]

This is super interesting to me also. And it raises important questions. For instance, I have never heard some one say, "such and such" was not living right with God and is now burning in hell. Be warned...etc etc. At worst, they say something like, this person had a hard life and struggled and God alone is the judge.

You have not been to some of the funerals I have been to. Fundamental Baptists and a few others will do this very thing.

[JohnL]

This is super interesting to me also. And it raises important questions. For instance, I have never heard some one say, "such and such" was not living right with God and is now burning in hell. Be warned...etc etc. At worst, they say something like, this person had a hard life and struggled and God alone is the judge.

You have not been to some of the funerals I have been to. Fundamental Baptists and a few others will do this very thing.

Very true. My experience - The smaller the church the more blunt the eulogy. The larger the church the more bland the eulogy.

[joshuabgood]

This is super interesting to me also. And it raises important questions. For instance, I have never heard some one say, "such and such" was not living right with God and is now burning in hell. Be warned...etc etc. At worst, they say something like, this person had a hard life and struggled and God alone is the judge.

It seems we, Christians at least, are hardwired for a sort of universalism.

Maybe it's easier to do with people we don't know or do not need to live near.

There's only one place and time where people are divided by their eternal destiny, and we aren't in charge of that.

Even though we aren't in charge, isn't it true that we sorrow not as those that have no hope.

[JohnH]

This is super interesting to me also. And it raises important questions. For instance, I have never heard some one say, "such and such" was not living right with God and is now burning in hell. Be warned...etc etc. At worst, they say something like, this person had a hard life and struggled and God alone is the judge.

You have not been to some of the funerals I have been to. Fundamental Baptists and a few others will do this very thing.

And the same at some conservative Mennonite funerals, too.