|PIC1|The former Prime Minister of Norway, Kjell Magne Bondevik, has told churches and international Christians groups to ensure that their statements responding to political issues are rooted in the Christian faith.
"What I often experienced was that we received statements from church bodies, domestic and international, and they were almost like statements from other organisations and NGOs," Bondevik told the central committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC), currently meeting in Geneva, reports Ecumenical News International.
Bondevik, an ordained Lutheran priest, served as Norway's prime minister between 1997 and 2005. He is now moderator of the WCC's Commission of the Churches on International Affairs.
He praised draft WCC statements on climate change and democratic governance for beginning with biblical references that make clear at the outset the importance of such issues for Christians.
"When we make statements on international issues and more generally political issues, let us all try and root them in Christian ethical values," he told the central committee, the WCC's highest governing body. "That is how we can give added value."
The WCC central committee will meet in Geneva until 20 February.
-
Evangelical vicar accused of abuse won't stand trial
-
Christians protest LGBT nativity play where Jesus is 'King of the Gays'
-
Sarah Mullally reiterates apology as safeguarding record comes under the spotlight
-
The mystery of the Wise Men
-
The origins of ‘traditional’ Christmas celebrations
-
Pro-life campaigner who silently prayed in abortion clinic buffer zone criminally charged
Most Popular
News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.