Bob’s Blog

     The 1958 Council of Bishops were especially "disturbed by a growing disregard of law evidenced by the bombing of synagogues, churches, schools, and even private dwellings."  They urged…

Despite continued Methodist church segregation in the form of the Central Jurisdiction, Methodist bodies continued to denounce societal segregation.  This is a form of hypocrisy...accepting segregation in the church but…

The politics of segregation wasn't coming from outside the church but from within the church.  Methodists were finding fault with each other.  For example, in 1955 a white West Virginia…

As I write about the hypocrisy of racism in the Methodist Church...or any church on the account...I am still amazed that it was or is even a controversy. How any…

One of Methodism's first black bishops was Robert Jones, who was elected in 1920, and who spoke on human equality at Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta in 1951. "There is…

In 1948 the Methodist Church was still dealing with the question of racism and segregation within the church.  In that year 10,000 young people, including 500 "Negro" delegates, gathered at…

After World War II, Methodism struggled with racial relations and segregation, both within the church and within America.  The 1939 reunification of the northern and southern churches had created a…

In 1959, a Chicago Methodist minister mocked Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev's claims to be a "champion of peace" as an "ironic and ludicrous spectacle."  (Imagine an icon of liberalism being…

Having largely won his confrontation with congressional critics, Bishop Oxnam continued to speak in defense of civil liberties and against communism.  "In my view, the Communist Party is a conspiracy. …

During the MFSA conference of 1951, the conference chief McMichael denounced the Korean War.  Even during this conference some division was starting to appear.  Retired Bishop Francis McConnell, at the…

Meanwhile, conservative Los Angeles Methodist pastor Bob Shuler in 1949 condemned his local bishop for publicly opposing the formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as an alliance to defend…

Last week we were left with the Soviet forces having invaded Eastern Europe.  Soviet governments were placed in control and thus began the rule of evil by the anti-Christs that…

On December 7, 1941 the United States was attacked by the Empire of Japan and the arguing was over.  Within days we had declared war on Japan and its allies,…

Throughout the 1920's and 1930's Methodists offered differing views about Soviet communism.  Northern Bishop Lauress Birney, based in China, warned against Soviet influence there. ["Soviets Worst Peril in China, Bishop…

This series was started all over the question of should Christians feel a duty to vote and if so, what principles should inform believers when they cast their ballots.  Should…

On December 7th, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor while their representatives were in Washington, DC, pretending to negotiate peace.  After Japan's attack E. Stanley Jones, Methodist missionary to India, chose…

Let me start this week's commentary with a short commentary of my own.  I want to once again reemphasize that this subset of "Politics and the Church" is not a…

This week we will continue with the Methodist Church still trying to convince the US government to ignore the threats of Hitler and Tojo.  Meanwhile Germany stepped up its preparation…

Later in 1930, Sloan warned Goddard against a policy of "complete disarmament."  As an "illustration" he cited "Red Russia", which is "without honor", and would not disarm even if they…

Pacifism took root in northern Methodist seminaries starting in the 1890's.  Its disciples attained Methodist leadership by the 1920's, politically strengthened by the horrors of WW I.  Contrasting with strong…

The 1934 New York East Annual Conference derided recovery programs as "only attempts to patch up and preserve a system that has already broken down."  The New Deal did "not…

Today's complaints about politicians and their political selfishness is nothing new.  And the church leadership had something to say that touched on both parties...these guys had fortitude.  Southern Bishop William…

Just as a reminder, I started writing this series because I was told by a pastor that politics did not belong in the church. I have addressed several aspects of…