|
|
| WHO ARE THE PROMISE KEEPERS? October 14, 1997 |
|---|
Other questions asked
in this forum:How do the Promise Keepers interpret the Bible? How do the Promise Keepers feel about homosexuality? Why did the Promise Keepers make such a national show of public prayer? What relation does the Promise Keepers have to other similar historical social movements in American History? Additional questions and comments.
NewsHour Coverage
October 3, 1997
Our guests debate the Promise Keepers' mission on the NewsHour.
Browse the NewsHour's coverage of religion.
OUTSIDE LINKS
Promise Keepers
A question from Frantz Iago of Akron, PA: Many of the speeches I have collected and hear from Promise Keepers leaders and supporters in their rallies are full of hyper-patriotic statements. Whoever does not agree with their definition of patriotism is considered a traitor and un-American and also anti-Christian, regardless if that person also claims to be a born-again Christian. How does Promise Keepers address militarism (not as a metaphor of spiritual war, but the fact that it keeps giving high leadership position to military personnel and exalts those who serve as soldiers and looks down upon those who, like Mennonites and Amish, reject military service?
Promise Keepers' Vice President Paul Edwards responds:
I am not familiar with these hyper-patriotic statements. With respect to military service, Promise Keepers would refer to the Bible. According to the New Testament (Romans 13:1-7), the state is instituted by God and, whether or not its leaders acknowledge God, a Christian should pray for them. In other words, Christians must respect the office held. Promise Keepers encourages all men who call upon the name of Jesus Christ as Savior to serve their church, community, state and country. Moreover, Promise Keepers does not look down upon those who advocate a passive stance toward military service. I am not sure if your question refers to Promise Keepers Board Members, but if so, of the 16 Board members we have one who is ex-military.
In light of the reference to spiritual warfare, Promise Keepers discusses the need to engage the enemy, Satan. Admiration is given for those who engage the enemy, Satan and claim Christ as the victor. This is based on the passage which reads, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual [emphasis mine) forces of evil in the heavenly realms," (Ephesians 6:12)
Reverend Alice Anderson responds:
Frantz, that sounds like a better question for Mr. Edwards than me.
I have made similar observations and am troubled by them. It does appear from the outside that Promise Keepers is as, Professor Balmer has said, an example of "muscular Christianity that thrives on athleticism and militarism," both metaphors that are not central to my own faith understanding and that stand at odds with other metaphors I find compelling- the open table, the lion lying down with the lamb, the Holy City with God in its midst in which there is no more wailing and gnashing of teeth. There are other ways of achieving the Beloved Community than through war. I would like to challenge Promise Keepers to explore these as well. Perhaps they already are.
 |
        |
|
| Support the kind of journalism done by the NewsHour...Become a member of your local PBS station. | ||
| ||
| PBS Online Privacy Policy Copyright ©1996- MacNeil/Lehrer Productions. All Rights Reserved. | ||
| ||
