Dear Progressive/Liberal, I Have a Question for You

Dear progressive/liberal, we have been having a very interesting conversation, and to some extent even an enjoyable one. But before we go any further, I do have an important question for you. First, however, I would like to cite a few passages from Scripture. They all come from the New Testament.

Acts 17:31

For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.

Acts 10:42

He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.

Philippians 2:9-11

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Matthew 19:28-30

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

Matthew 8:38

If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.

John 5:26-29

For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.

John 9:39

Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

2 Timothy 4:1

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead . . .

1 Peter 4:4-5

They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

Revelation 1:7-8

Look, he is coming with the clouds,
and every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;
and all peoples on earth will mourn because of him.

So shall it be! Amen.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 1:17-18

Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

Revelation 11:15

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:

“The kingdom of the world has become
the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah,
and he will reign for ever and ever.”

I could have cited many more passages, but I think these will be sufficient. So, this is the question I have for you: What exactly did you mean when you said to me, “You’re on the wrong side of history”?

Jerry Shepherd
July 23, 2017

4 thoughts on “Dear Progressive/Liberal, I Have a Question for You

  1. Dear Jerry:

    … and the passage that is a should-must to be cited – and you didn’t – is Mt 25:31.
    So the question is still valid: what side of history are you on?

    Yours aye

    Jock Thorlby

  2. Thank you, Jerry!
    But is it “a very important question” …?
    Is it not rather “the” question”?
    How did you love your sister/brother?
    Are not the other “very important questions”

    Dear Jerry:

    Mt.25:31 ss …
    and the all important question
    – be ye catholic or communist, atheist or aimless, confucionist or confused, … –
    How did you love your sister/brother?
    The rest is but cosmetic.

    Yours aye,

    Jock Thorlby

    • Thanks, Jock. “Be ye catholic or communist, atheist or aimless, confucionist or confused.” Sorry, I can’t quite go there. That’s what Christ calls the second most important commandment. The first one is to love God with heart, soul, and mind. The second flows from the first. Even in the passage you mentioned in Matthew 25, the division that takes place is along the lines of how the sheep/goats treat persecuted Christians, which presupposes some level of confessional acknowledgement. To be sure, love for one’s neighbor gives evidence for one’s love of God, but I don’t think love for neighbor without love for God is what Jesus is talking about. But we can dialogue yet.

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