Wed. morning MN Prayer Caucus bible study in State Office Building might not be for everyone

A reader sent along an email from "Dale Minnesota" with the subject head, "You're Invited":

Dear Representative -

You might be aware that every Wednesday morning from 7-7:45 we provide for you a non-political, non-partisan, non-denominational Bible study. You are invited to join us each Wednesday in SOB 454.

Last year we studied "The Biblical Foundation of The Declaration of Independence". Many in our nation do no know how intensely Biblical the Declaration and Constitution are. Several of our state leaders are now better equipped with the knowledge of the depth of meaning in the Declaration because of this study.

This year we will look at scriptures that are foundational for living lives of Biblical citizenship. Let's dig in together. Perhaps we'll all be better equipped to serve those who asked us to lead and represent them well.

Hope to see you tomorrow morning. Coffee will be served.

Dale

That's Dale Witherington, whose Linked In profile tells readers he's Director of Community Engagement for the Minnesota Family Council (a conservative Christian group that lobbies and grades the state legislature), Chief Steward of Restore Minnesota (a group that espouses Dominionist Seven Mountain precepts) and who claimed to "represent Jesus Christ and provide pastoral support to the political leaders, lobbyists, their families and staffs of the state of Minnesota" for the Capitol Commission Minnesota from 2012 through 2015.

It was in the latter capacity that he drew Column editor Andy Birkey's attention in the article MN Pastor: Anti-bullying bill is part of secret 45-point plan to create godless society.

That guy.

In June 2016, Witherington shared his political and theological positions with His Legacy TV talent Nonie Tanner in a Youtube here. At one point, Witherington espouses his opinion of then-President Barack Obama:

. . .I believe our current administration is the first administration in our history that has said we are not a Christian nation.

Here's the excerpt:

If that rings a bell, it's similar to the close of toxic Christian rocker Bradlee Dean's prayer as Chaplain in the Minnesota House in 2011. Jay Weiner reported in Minnpost's Legislative firestorm erupts over Bradlee Dean's prayer:

"I know this is a non-denominational prayer in this Chamber and it's not about the Baptists and it's not about the Catholics alone or the Lutherans or the Wesleyans. Or the Presbyterians, the evangelicals or any other denomination but rather the head of the denomination and his name is Jesus. As every President up until 2008 has acknowledged. And we pray it. In Jesus' name."

In MN Pastor: Anti-bullying bill is part of secret 45-point plan to create godless society, Birkey noted some shared links between the pastor and Dean:

Witherington was most recently at Living Word Christian Center in Brooklyn Park. The church has made the news before because of its endorsement of Bachmann in 2006, its former relationship with Bradlee Dean, and its current relationship with Minnesota’s ex-gay movement. . . .

Nor is Witherington in any way advocating interfaith dialogue and prayer. While the mission statement of the parent organization Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation states that its vision is to "Protect religious freedom, preserve America’s Judeo-Christian heritage and promote prayer," in a video published in January for Religious Freedom Day, Witherington calls the state caucus "a group of Christian legislators..."

Here's the list of members of the caucus:

Your Minnesota Legislative Prayer Caucus Members

• Senator Dan Hall, Co-Chair
• Senator Bruce Anderson
• Representative Abigail Whelan, Co-Chair
• Representative Kathy Lohmer
• Representative Jim Newberger
• Representative Glenn Gruenhagen
• Representative Jeff Backer
• Representative Steve Green
• Representative Matthew Grossell
• Representative Matt Dean
• Representative Jim Knoblach

That's a short list, for sure. Legislators are free to join the Bible study each Wednesday. Or not, as their own belief systems--and notions of serving all their constituents and God--guide them.

Screengrab: Dale Witherington.

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Comments

[Dale Witherington]

Dear Bluestem Prairie:

Dale Witherington here. Yes. That guy.

First of all, many thanks to the MN state representative who sent you his/her invitation to our non-political, non-partisan, non-denominational Bible study. I sincerely appreciate you getting the word out for me.

Secondly, if I said it, I believe it and I know why I believe what I said. Have you ever thought through your belief system, whatever it might be, and genuinely asked yourself "Why" you believe what you believe? It's an interesting and humbling exercise.

The only statement worth addressing here and now that is your opinion based on no facts whatsoever is the statement, "Nor is Witherington in any way advocating interfaith dialogue and prayer." That statement is a flat out lie. I would WELCOME interfaith dialogue and I welcome anyone to pray as his or her conscience dictates. I may or may not agree with the prayer or to whom the pray-er is praying any more that he or she might not agree with my prayer or to whom I am praying but don't we call that "religious freedom"? The problem is, no one on your side seems interested in dialogue as much as you enjoy slamming those with whom you disagree. You want dialogue? LET'S DO IT! Pick a venue and let's get something on the calendar. We can dialogue about interfaith issues to your heart's content. No slamming others. No disrespect. Just open, honest dialogue. I'm game. Are you?