In 1993 I was asked the following “gotcha” question by a member of the media: “Are you a member of the ‘Religious Right’?”
This is one of those questions that causes the tiny robot from Lost in Space that lives in my head to cry “Danger! Danger!”
My answer was “I am not sure. I have yet to receive a membership application.” While this seems like a flippant answer, the point I was trying to make was that I refuse to be pigeon-holed as extremist, unreasonable, a puppet, or any other pejorative the media associates with people of faith who are involved in the political.
In the thirteen years since that question, I find myself fighting that same battle but on two different fronts. On the one hand, I wish to break the preconceived notion that faith and reason are mutually exclusive. On the other hand, I hope to, frankly, blow up the dominant notion held by many church-goers. That view is that Christian involvement in social issues, government and politics simply amounts to shrill activism seeking to muscle its way against the moral outrage of the week.
Between convincing liberals that I have a brain and helping many Christians open theirs, the greater challenge has always been with the Christians. Often, the Believers view of politics, activism, and the last thirty years of pro-family activism is short-sighted and wholly ineffective. They may know the latest regarding abortion and the advancement of the homosexual agenda, and typically the name and reputation of their member of Congress (better than the average American), but after that, most Evangelicals are fairly unsophisticated and unaware of the realities of political and social action.
July 4, 2006 at 9:34 pm
Das de money quote ri’ der! I can’t even add anything. Right on the nose PDub.
June 29, 2007 at 8:38 am
Could you elaborate on the particulars of the political and social actions in which we lack sophistication? Please enlighten me. I am realistic about man’s sin nature, and reasoning and how it intertwines with politics. What seems good or makes since to us might go against Gods word, Isaiah 55:8 Your ways or not my ways and your thoughts or not my thoughts. Just because it is a good program does not make it a God program, I am realistic about Jesus and ultimately I will answer to God and not man (politician or otherwise). Ultimately Jesus will have the final say. I am not unaware of the political game. I choose not to negotiate God and His word. Like the politicians, they have their negotiable and the non- negotiable positions. Cannot we?
I accept the Bible as the absolute word of God. However, I have found that the people who do not hold the same standard will usually compromise it for ungodly social initiatives and legislation. To that, they walk away believing that because God is silent and they are getting the results they are seeking, that He is in agreement. You know what I find interesting, if I attempt to live completely faithful to what I believe I am a right wing nut but the second I fall short or deviate on any part of my belief I am a hypocrite. You are right it takes a level of sophistication to navigate through all of the lying, manipulating backstabbing, hand washing, slandering and greed in politics. Sin gets complicated, tell one lie to cover another, get in bed with this shady person get this program, make sure you cover your tracks. Why must I get bed with the ungodly to get what I want done, 2Cor 6:14, For what fellowship those light have with darkness. Do you believe that man is more noble than God is, more just than God, Has man become the standard of what is right or is it God? Maybe I am misreading your statement, but when I read an article like this I here compromise your faith, and God did not give us any latitude on that. Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 10:16, be as shrewd as snakes but gentiles as a dove. Therefore, I will negotiate around my faith not with my faith. If that makes me unsophisticated than so it is.
C. Henry
June 29, 2007 at 8:56 am
Correction: On Matthew 10:16, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Could you elaborate on the particulars of the political and social actions in which we lack sophistication? Please enlighten me. I am realistic about man’s sin nature, and reasoning and how it intertwines with politics. What seems good or makes since to us might go against Gods word, Isaiah 55:8 Your ways or not my ways and your thoughts or not my thoughts. Just because it is a good program does not make it a God program, I am realistic about Jesus and ultimately I will answer to God and not man (politician or otherwise). Ultimately Jesus will have the final say. I am not unaware of the political game. I choose not to negotiate God and His word. Like the politicians, they have their negotiable and the non- negotiable positions. Cannot we?
I accept the Bible as the absolute word of God. However, I have found that the people who do not hold the same standard will usually compromise it for ungodly social initiatives and legislation. To that, they walk away believing that because God is silent and they are getting the results they are seeking, that He is in agreement. You know what I find interesting, if I attempt to live completely faithful to what I believe I am a right wing nut but the second I fall short or deviate on any part of my belief I am a hypocrite. You are right it takes a level of sophistication to navigate through all of the lying, manipulating backstabbing, hand washing, slandering and greed in politics. Sin gets complicated, tell one lie to cover another, get in bed with this shady person get this program, make sure you cover your tracks. Why must I get bed with the ungodly to get what I want done, 2Cor 6:14, For what fellowship those light have with darkness. Do you believe that man is more noble than God is, more just than God, Has man become the standard of what is right or is it God? Maybe I am misreading your statement, but when I read an article like this I here compromise your faith, and God did not give us any latitude on that. Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 10:16, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Therefore, I will negotiate around my faith not with my faith. If that makes me unsophisticated than so it is.
June 29, 2007 at 8:58 am
Correction: Matthew 10:16,be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Could you elaborate on the particulars of the political and social actions in which we lack sophistication? Please enlighten me. I am realistic about man’s sin nature, and reasoning and how it intertwines with politics. What seems good or makes since to us might go against Gods word, Isaiah 55:8 Your ways or not my ways and your thoughts or not my thoughts. Just because it is a good program does not make it a God program, I am realistic about Jesus and ultimately I will answer to God and not man (politician or otherwise). Ultimately Jesus will have the final say. I am not unaware of the political game. I choose not to negotiate God and His word. Like the politicians, they have their negotiable and the non- negotiable positions. Cannot we?
I accept the Bible as the absolute word of God. However, I have found that the people who do not hold the same standard will usually compromise it for ungodly social initiatives and legislation. To that, they walk away believing that because God is silent and they are getting the results they are seeking, that He is in agreement. You know what I find interesting, if I attempt to live completely faithful to what I believe I am a right wing nut but the second I fall short or deviate on any part of my belief I am a hypocrite. You are right it takes a level of sophistication to navigate through all of the lying, manipulating backstabbing, hand washing, slandering and greed in politics. Sin gets complicated, tell one lie to cover another, get in bed with this shady person get this program, make sure you cover your tracks. Why must I get bed with the ungodly to get what I want done, 2Cor 6:14, For what fellowship those light have with darkness. Do you believe that man is more noble than God is, more just than God, Has man become the standard of what is right or is it God? Maybe I am misreading your statement, but when I read an article like this I here compromise your faith, and God did not give us any latitude on that. Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 10:16, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Therefore, I will negotiate around my faith not with my faith. If that makes me unsophisticated than so it is.