Vento, whose grandparents struggled to learn English after immigrating from Sicily in the 1920s, said he posted the sign about six months ago amid concerns over immigration reform and the increasing number of customers who could not order in English when they wanted Philly's gooey, greasy specialty — fried steak, sliced or chopped, in a long roll, with cheese and fried onions....
Read the rest of the article here.
- Rob
4 comments:
Just a thought....does this resonate with the heart of God?
(I am not necessarily saying that this dude's business should follow Christ or the Word). Just thinking that as I read this I am asking myself "Why?" and What?"
Why did God allow me to read it?
Why is this important (or is it really?)
What can the Church learn from this?
What is our responsibility as followers of Christ (for those of us who are) to ensure that a greater language is spoken (love)?
Finally, thinking through this incarnationally and missionally (you know me) is Christ would have followed this reasoning would He have ever come to us to begin with?
Man did I shoot this to a place you might not have meant it to go but there you have it.
Thoughts?
I think I'm looking at this more pragmatically than philosophically. Maybe God allowed you, or anybody else, to read this so that somebody (not saying you personally) might think, "Hmmm...we have this GREAT country that has experienced God's blessings from it's inception. Are we being good stewards of what He has given us and making sure that we can pass this along to our grandchildren and continue to offer hope to the world? Or are we being so open-minded that our brains are falling out?" We need to examine the current immigration policies that are being proposed and ask ourselves, "Is this going to help keep America strong?" This story caught the attention of the media because of the immigration agenda before our country now.
Did you catch the part of the article I quoted in my blog? The guy is NOT trying to keep foreign speaking people out of his shop or discriminate against them...he is more than willing to help them learn to speak English. He is willing to help if they will help themselves. What is wrong with that? Do we have to make every language known to man the 'official' language of the US to show love to others? This guy comes from a similar background to those he is trying to help, but here he is being attacked. And I supposed some would accuse him of being un-Christlike. I have no idea whether he is a Christian or not, but again, he is not turning others away...he is trying to help them adapt to the country in which they live. Is this unloving?
I was not trying to spiritualize the article, but in this light, I guess we could ask if Jesus was an enabler. This guy is just refusing to be an enabler.
Yes, it's always good to ask "What would Jesus do?", but maybe in this case we should ask "What would King David do?" Christ's purpose had little or nothing to do with the government of his time, but King David's God's-given purpose did. Should Christians stay out of all political affairs or not take a stand because Jesus did not make political statements? Again, that was not his purpose, but does that mean that God does not intend for anybody to take a political stand? King David did. King Solomon did. Daniel and his three friends did. I think Chritians need to take a stand on immigration issues, on homosexual issues and others affecting our country.
This article blows out of proportion what one man did because of one group's political agenda. That's why I posted the article. I think Christians have a God-given responsibility to be involved in policy-making for our country. Our freedom is a gift from God, I believe, and if we are going to continue to offer hope to the world, America must remain strong. I believe those who are pushing the current immigration policies are not doing what is best for America. Should that matter to the church? I think so.
I don't think I really answered the questions you asked...sorry. But that is not what I was trying to do by posting this article. I guess the questions I would ask are:
#1 Is our great country a gift from God and a direct result of His blessing?
#2 If yes, are we being good stewards of what He has given us?
#3 Can we be stewards of the gift of freedom God has given us in this great country and remain silent politically?
Is allowing people to order from a a menu in their native tongue a threat to the strength of America? NO, but it ought to be a wake up call when the actions of one little man are so misconstrued and blown out of proportion by a group because of their {immigration} agenda. I believe their agenda does pose a threat to the strength of our country. And that would bring me back to questions 1-3.
I guess I could answer your first question...does this resonate with the heart of God? If we peeled away the media 'bent' on this story and took the guy at his word, that he is trying to help people learn to speak English in a country where English is the official language...then I would say "yes".
Good answer Rob.
Question- would it be different if English wasn't the "official" languge of the country.
I only say that because I think we will see a day when that is the case (or I should say our great grandkids will). Whether it's a right or wrong thing (people could debate that forever) I think we should be thinking of how we respond according to God's commands (not the country we happen to live in).
I am thinking of King David when he says that "The Nation who's God is King, He will make even their enemies to live at peace with them" (verse slips me for now but I could get it).
I often wonder just how pleased God is with us (as a country). Not sure we want to know the answer to that.
Which brings us back to the Church. What we will do as followers of Christ to bring about healing, forgiveness, restoration and hope for all people.
I did take this to another angle (I read the guys article and really actually applauded him. If I wasn't a Christ follower who was trying to influence the lost to Christ I would probably do the same thing). The immigration issue is what he is dealing with. You and I (as ministers of grace) deal with a bigger, much more important (eternally speaking anyhow) set of issues.
Stephen, I agree with you that we are Christians first and Americans second. And no, God certainly is not an American God. His Kingdom is first and He loves all nations equally.
You bring up an interesting point when you ask "just how pleased is God with us as a country?" I also agree when you say "Not sure we want to answer that." But then my question is, if we as Christians never take action or try to assert influence politically, are we not going to have more to repent for as America drifts further from God?
I go back to my personal belief that this nation was founded as a blessing from God. Looking at our history, God's soverign hand and blessing seems obvious. If our freedom as a country is God-given, do we not have a responsibility to be good stewards of that? God used people like Joseph, Daniel and the Prophets to turn a nation from sin. Why would He not use people today to do the same thing?
Yes, yes, yes...I am with you that we must try to influence the lost to Christ. But God used both a Solomon (temple builder) and a David (warrior king). David could not build the temple because he had blood on his hands, but Solomon could not have done what he did without David. What I am trying to say is, there has to be balance. Some churches are so political that they lose sight of reaching the lost. Of course that is wrong. But does that mean that God expects Christians to abstain from any involvement with politics or trying to take a stand for righteousness in governement?
When our President and government leaders have the backing of the people at home, we set world policy in the area of abortion. Governments that want USA funding cannot offer abortions. When Christians don't support pro-choice candidates and legislation in America, not only are more abortions committed in America, but also around the world. Will we as Christians not have to answer to God for this?
You are right, we are to be Kingdom builders first no matter what country we live in. But you practice being a culturally-sensitive Christian, so you must think it does matter what nation you live in. Your plan for reaching people for Christ is specific to what culture you are in. Is not God's plan for people's lives also specific to the culture they live in? (Not His Word...his will for individual lives).
You're right,none of this changes the fact that we are to be about the work of the Kingdom first and foremost. Does that mean we have to pretend that we don't live in a specific country...America? America has spent more than any other nation on earth helping other countries and spreading the Gospel. I think working to keep America 'on track' with Godly principles resonates with the heart of God.
No, the job of the church is not to be a political institution, but I come back to the word "balance". Does bringing about healing, forgiveness, restoration and hope for all people mean that we don't take a political stand? It seems to me, sometimes it is necessary to take a political stand in order to put action to our faith.
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