Category: Religion
-
Politics, the Pulpit and the People, Part I
Originally Published by the Michigan Chronicle July 13-19, 2016 Many people believe that the church should stay out of politics and that politics should stay out of the church. This view stems partly from arguments for the separation of Church and State. “The phrase “separation of church and state” is generally traced to a January…
-
Politics, the Pulpit and the People, Part II
Originally published by the Michigan Chronicle August 10-16, 2016 Whether the church should become involved in politics is still hotly debated, but the truth is many persons of diverse religious backgrounds have been called to leadership in politics. Countless examples of people filling their religious duties and civic obligations with outstanding records of public service…
-
“Politics, the Pulpit and the People.” Part III
-To truly understand the role of the church and its people in politics, we must remember the ministry of the historical Jesus which sets the tone for understanding the practice of religious faith and life in the world. While at times Jesus withdrew himself from the world for rest and prayer, he did not completely…
-
“Enough of All The “God Hate Talk!”
There is a basic difference between humbly seeking, serving and following God and self-righteously playing God! Many religious people appear to be the latter, where they use their religion to punish, condemn, ostracize and ultimately destroy others for being different or having views divergent from their own. When the so-called heretics do not live up…
-
The Prophetic Black Church Still Needed Today.
Since the beginning of our time in the United States of America, black religion and the black preacher have played vital roles in articulating the hopes, aspirations and ultimate destiny of African-American people. Ever since the bullwhip days of slavery and reconstruction, the harsh realities of Jim Crow and the continuing cauldron of racial segregation…
-
Taking Food Stamps from the Needy: Repo of the Fish and Loaves
Anyone who is taking food stamps from the poor and needy, while claiming to be Christian, either misunderstands what it means to be Christian or they are being thoroughly dishonest with themselves and others. Anyone claiming that Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ would approve of such actions has not read the Gospels and is…
-
What Christians Should Understand about President Obama’s Recent Statement on Marriage Equality.”
“What Christians Should Understand about President Obama’s Decision on Marriage Equality.” Delivered on the Lord’s Day May 27, 2012 Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III Many Christians are very upset with President Obama’s recent statement that he supports marriage equality for LGBT persons. Many pastors have told their congregations not to vote for Obama in the November…
-
Overcoming Fear and Coming Out of the Cave; Prophetic Ministry as A No Exit Strategy in the 21st Century Church
Delivered at the Black Pastors Symposium, The General Board of Discipleship Global Conference The United Methodist Church Nashville, Tennessee, January 5, 2011 I want to thank Rev. Vance Ross, Debra Carvin and members of the planning team for inviting me to be your guest speaker at this hour. It is an honor and a privilege to…
-
And Still We Rise
“And Still We Rise ” Delivered on the Lord’s Day for Black History Month January 28, 2007 Acts 26:12a-18; Nehemiah 2:11-20 Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III So they said, Let us rise up and build. Then they set their hands to this good work.” Nehemiah 2:18b “So I said, “Who are you Lord?” And he said, “Iam Jesus, whom you…
-
The Problem of Moral Relativism
Delivered on the Lord’s Day | April 13, 2008 I Samuel 28:1-10 John 8:1-11 Writer C.S. Lewis once stated that human beings often operate out of a system of value that says, “My neighbor has done something wrong because he is bad and I did something wrong because I didn’t get enough sleep.” What Lewis…