Brendon Naicker’s Post

Is the Pope Peter’s True Successor or merely a Political President? The New Testament model of church leadership is seen as one of shared responsibility and servanthood, rather than hierarchical control. The Pope’s role has been shaped more by historical and political factors than by a divinely ordained succession from Peter, making the Pope resemble more of a political president than a spiritual successor. #brendonnaicker #theologyschool #pope #catholicchurch #peter #politics #protestant #swindonchurch #swindon #churchesinswindon #swindoncatholic https://lnkd.in/exXrjfu7

Is the Pope Peter’s True Successor or merely a Political President? The New Testament model of church leadership is seen as one of shared responsibility and servanthood, rather than hierarchical control. The Pope’s role has been shaped more by historical and political factors than by a divinely ordained succession from Peter, making the Pope resemble more of a political president than a spiritual successor. #brendonnaicker #theologyschool #pope #catholicchurch #peter #politics #protestant #swindonchurch #swindon #churchesinswindon #swindoncatholic https://lnkd.in/exXrjfu7

FTI: IN THEIR OWN WORDS HOW CHRISTIAN NATIONALISTS PLAN TO CONTROL AMERICANS: “Article X: On Nationalism & Policy Priorities WE AFFIRM that nations possess an inviolable right to establish justice & safeguard the peace & prosperity of their own citizens. We affirm that implementing Christian Nationalism in each nation will pursue punishment of each nation’s great evils & promote each nation’s thriving. We affirm that the specific, short-term priorities of Christian Nationalism in the context of the United States are to call our nation, in her laws, formally to acknowledge the Lordship of Christ, to declare solemn days of humility and repentance, to abolish abortion, to define marriage as the covenant union of a biological male a biological female, to de-weaponize the federal & state bureaucracies which target Christians for censorship and persecution, to secure our borders & defend against foreign invaders, to recapture our national sovereignty from godless, global entities who present a grave threat to civilization…& to exercise restraint in international military intervention & adventurism in overseas “democracy building.” We affirm that different forms of just government can achieve just laws & we do not seek to coerce nations into one particular form of government.”

Christian Legislative Prayers and Christian Nationalism - PDF: https://lnkd.in/gwH5czAG Christian nationalism is not about individual faith. Rather it is about the marriage of faith and nation.151 “What [Christian nationalists] are saying is that our laws and our regulations should be affirmatively guided by these Christian principles, not just that individuals [should be] guided by these beliefs.” Christian legislative prayers are one manifestation of Christian nationalism. Even if not specifically motivated by Christian nationalism, Christian legislative prayers nonetheless advance the Christian nationalist ideal that true Americans are Christian Americans. Everyone else is simply not accorded the same respect, benefits, or rights. This result is exactly what the Establishment Clause aims to prevent. Consequently, whether Christian legislative prayers violate the Establishment Clause is an easy question: Of course they do. It takes a certain amount of willful blindness not to recognize the obvious religious favoritism and the inevitable religious hierarchy created by Christian legislative prayers. The solution is also easy: eliminate legislative prayers. At the very least, the practice of exclusively or even predominantly Christian prayers should stop. They are unconstitutional, and frankly, un-American. #ChristianNationalism; #rightwingmovements; #race; #religion; #nostalgia #colorblindRacism #ChristianNationMyth #whitesupremacy #whiteness

In the past several years, several high-profile Christians have publicly renounced their faith. Many of these deconverts once had thriving ministries, which we may have benefited from. To see them walk away from Christianity can strike a blow to our confidence. How should we think about and respond to these incidents when they happen? In my latest article, I offer three suggestions.

All superheroes have unique backstories that help us understand them. Same is true with Christian doctrines and denominations.  https://thegspl.co/3QDRKGB

The False White Gospel: Rejecting Christian Nationalism, Reclaiming True Faith, and Refounding Democracy Jim Wallis St. Martins Essentials, 2024 It is time says Jim Wallis, to call out genuine faith—specifically the "Christian" in White Christian Nationalism—inviting all who can be persuaded to reject and help dismantle a false gospel that propagates white supremacy and autocracy. We need-to raise up the faith of all of us, and help those who are oblivious, stuck, and captive to the ideology and idolatry of White Christian Nationalism that is leading us to such great danger. Wallis turns our attention to six iconic texts at the heart of what genuine biblical faith means and what Jesus, in the gospels, has called us to do. It is time to ask anew: do we believe these teachings or not? This and other books related to the topic of Christian Nationalism can be purchased in the campus bookstore or online. https://lnkd.in/dFv32jDQ #edenreadin #etsbookstore #ProgressiveChristianMovement #RadicallyInclusive #RootedinJustice #WeAreEden #IAmEden

I snatched this book by Pope Francis off my library’s new releases shelf. I’ve yet to read a book from Pope Francis that doesn’t provoke thought. Here’s a highlight from the final chapter about the need for interfaith solidarity: “When engaging in interreligious conversation, ‘Three basic areas, if properly linked to one another, can assist in this dialogue: the duty to respect one’s own identity and that of others, the courage to accept differences, and sincerity of intentions.’ In practice, not sacrificing who we are to please others must be a guiding principle. We must see others as fellow journeyers, and we must always be honest and transparent with one another. Sincere dialogue makes us recognize the rights and liberties of others. This is what we need to have a true fraternal coexistence. “With its fratricidal tendencies, the world today asks us for fraternal conviction—a recommitment to the message of the declaration Nostra Aetate, which is very relevant, especially with its ideas of the unity of the human family and the conception of a Church that is open to dialogue with all people: with our fellow Christian brothers and sisters, but also with our siblings who are Muslim and Jewish and with those faithful of all religions. “On the ecumenical front, in our current climate, it is necessary to mark this certainty: we can no longer each walk our own way. The world is demanding unity. In some places, they do not separate Catholics and Protestants when they persecute us, curtail our freedoms, or kill us. On the contrary, the ecumenism of blood makes us siblings before this senselessness. The martyrdom of Christians around the world calls us to accelerate our dialogues and encounters. How many Christian martyrs do we weep for today? Not only is our Church the most attacked today, but the persecution of our brothers and sisters is also greater now than ever in history!”

Imago Dei, Equal Protection, & “Neutrality” This Faith Debate examines The Statement on Christian Nationalism & the Gospel, a draft of which was offered in 2023 for public consideration. This is episode 9 (of 9) on this topic. In this episode the discussion wraps up with: Article XIX: Imago Dei and Equal Protection Article XX: On ‘Neutrality’ and the Separation of Church and State There's also a quick look at the “Christians Against Christian Nationalism Statement”. This was the 6th of 6 shows recorded on the same day, and is available as part of one long video on the Rumble channel for Household of Faith in Christ. https://lnkd.in/ewjhXkvg #FaithDebate #ChristianNationalism #Abortion #ChurchAndState #ReligionAndPoltics #LawAndGospel #HouseholdofFaithinChrist #HomocideVsMurder #ImagoDei #EqualProtection #Neutrality #930WFMD #FrederickMaryland

As Christians, we must not use the world’s methods of assuming, labeling, marginalizing, discarding, and disqualifying. We must challenge secular ideology and unjust policies, but we must do so in a way that honors God and draws people to Him. Keep first things first, and your political exchanges will be a place where Godly fruit can grow. As much as people want to make politics cause the United States to reflect a Christian nation, the thing that we should strive to be is a nation of Christians. #politics #politicians #vote #Christians #faith