I have been positively stressing over how to construct my thoughts on the very different ways in which McCain and Obama addressed Rick Warren’s question on evil. If you don’t know what I am talking about, check here.
Rather than attempting any sort of biblical/theological argument or position, I will simply speak plainly and try to articulate the way I felt as I listened to the 2 responses. Perhaps the biblical/theological defense will come later if necessary.
Obama answered first and I thought, “Wow, I am not sure I am even imagine someone giving a better answer.” He spoke to the diversity of ways in which we see evil in the world, he offered an answer that wasn’t on Warren’s contrived list (confrontation), acknowledged that final task of erasing evil from the world was God’s task, and emphasized the need to approach confronting evil from a posture of humility.
McCain answered later with one simple phrase, “Defeat it.” My gut response to this was, “Are you kidding me? How incredibly arrogant, presumptuous, and narrow-minded.” In typical “We’re the United States and therefore what we say goes” sort of fashion, McCain didn’t even feel the need to qualify his answer.
To be clear, I am saying that I think Obama gave the better, and not necessarily Christian, or right answer. What really frightens/saddens me is that so may who profess to follow Jesus think that McCain did. I am not seeking to comment here on the whole range of political stances that each candidate takes, but let me be honest, how these candidates answered this question instantly became a big deal to me and I have no reservation in saying that if this was all it came down to (and surely it’s not), I am much, much more comfortable as a citizen of the United States following a Commander-in-Chief who both acknowledges the limitations and pervue of the government and is willing to approach issues with humility.
16 responses so far ↓
1 Trends and Fashion » Gut Thoughts on Government and Evil // Sep 2, 2008 at 8:54 pm
[...] Some Rights Reserved added an interesting post today on Gut Thoughts on Government and EvilHere’s a small reading [...]
2 wildflower // Sep 2, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Hey brotha! don’t stress!
… some find debating down right fun and I think it is good to question what goes on politically, so I appreciate you. In my opinion, a government or even a God fearing people group will never defeat evil in ALL the world- we can not because we have no control over anything but that which we are given… for most of us it is: one spirit, one body, and one mind to govern, and we’re called to ”battle” evil in that dominion first and foremost as a priority … knowing that we will never fully defeat it even there- and so GRACE He gave, and so GRACE He died, and so GRACE He rose again, praise JESUS for His grace! Amen! Smile with me people!… Personally, I can not separate evil all by itself in one topic without the grace factor… because I see a picture of this is drawn for us in Romans at the same spot evil is addressed. I so wish there had been a follow up question on grace…. but thats just me. Like, “Does grace exist, what does that look like, and do you plan to use it?” I wonder what would have been the answers. hmmm.
3 c. wess daniels // Sep 2, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Good thoughts JR. I agree, I appreciate the understood limitations in our own abilities that Obama was spelling out. I think we as a country have a hard time believing we are limited.
4 wildflower // Sep 4, 2008 at 7:17 am
Have you listened to any of the convention speeches? I have to admit I see things in both candidates that I like and dislike. I really liked Sarah Palin though- and did not feel any thing but respect for the woman. I am truly unsure about my final decision, and deeply concerned about both candidates stances on issues that I care very much about, so I thought it would be good to write these things out and do some research, gather some data, and pray before I vote. I don’t know how else to aproach the situation, and part of me wants to just not vote and ignore the news, conversations at work, etc. but then I don’t think that would be responsible of me. So I will vote. I hope the nation votes and prays God’s grace on who ever makes the cut because they will need it in these times. I also believe it is important to speak about our current and potential future leaders with respect. I am grieved at the loss of respect I’ve seen in my own life, and hope to continue to change that tide by speaking in ways that reflect that decision in my heart.
5 c. wess daniels // Sep 4, 2008 at 10:11 am
I’ve watched all the speeches. The problem is they’re just speeches, not something you can really mess up. Palin did a nice job delivering last night, but it was written for her by the McCain crew. However, I wasn’t impressed with the personal slams and her appealing to fear as a rhetorical device. McCain’s crew seems to be getting more and more vicious, not something all that attractive to me.
6 wildflower // Sep 4, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Yeah, I agree that I don’t like the viciousness of politics on either side. Unfortunately, it always gets that way the closer election day draws near. One thing that could help is to look at what each candidate has done in his or her office in the past… what positive and negative choices have they made on a smaller level for this nation? What are their true standards on issues tht effect our nation’s children, our poor, views on abortion, marriage, war, etc.. That’s kind of what I’m researching (and with caution on where I am getting the data.) I would like to hear from more of my fellow believers on their reasons for supporting Obama or McCain.
7 JR Rozko // Sep 4, 2008 at 1:01 pm
This is bothersome.
http://tinyurl.com/5kwetq
Disclaimer: I don’t mean to imply in the least that this is the only story related to a candidate or party in this election that is bothersome to me, it just happens to be one that was recently brought to my attention and caught me off guard.
8 ordinarycitizen // Sep 5, 2008 at 12:20 am
JR, there are many things that are bothersome on both sides of this election…..are you gonna start including all the links or just those you determine are relevant?
9 JR Rozko // Sep 5, 2008 at 6:46 am
@ordinarycitizen - No desire on my part to spend my time chronicling all the bothersome tidbits of parties or candidates. There are quite enough folks doing this already. I mention this one only because it came to my attention directly and because a commenter above mentioned Sarah Palin specifically.
10 ordinarycitizen // Sep 5, 2008 at 7:59 am
my point exactly……someone said they LIKED Sarah Palin and you linked a post from an attack blog. Maybe I should bring up Obama’s views and voting record on abortion, his view of Bill Ayers as “mainstream” and his citing Rev. Wright as a “spiritual mentor” so you can comment on those. Just trying to maintain some balance here.
11 JR Rozko // Sep 5, 2008 at 10:03 am
Sigh. An “attack blog,” really? This is the sort of inflammatory rhetoric that really doesn’t help conversation much. Neither the author of that blog nor I meant to attack, merely to inform. I feel pretty well informed on Obama, his position, and his track record. I can’t say the same for Palin - and I would venture to guess that this is true for most folks.
You are of course free to mention anything you like in the comments. I will respond if I am able and feel it is appropriate. Or, even better, you could start your own blog so I can comment anonymously thereby further guaranteeing that the conversation never gets truly relational (and therefore helpful)
12 ordinarycitizen // Sep 5, 2008 at 10:59 am
Sigh. didn’t mean to put you on the defensive…..I was just pointing out that for a person who claims to be “positively stressing” about forming his views you seem to be “informing” alot of people with just one side of the debate. Wouldn’t hurt to include some criticism of all the candidates, now would it?
13 wildflower // Sep 5, 2008 at 11:24 am
Hey, didn’t mean to cause a disturbance… I appreciate being informed of facts concerning either and all parties. I personally choose to remain anonymous cause I like this blog and discussing it’s contents, so I’m here for the topic because thats the limit of my freedom. It’s a little something I look forward to every day… I read people’s blogs. (about 15 or so a day and this one’s my favorite) I comment when interested, and I tend to bring questions, but never to cause conflict between people. Can we get back on the subject? For example, are there any other pivotal questions/answers given to/by the candidates that is worth discussion… or maybe even a vote!??
14 ordinaryradical // Sep 5, 2008 at 11:27 am
I’m not really sure why one would feel the necessity to be balanced on a personal blog. Everyone knows these are JR’s views, he’s entitled to write whatever view he feels worthy of mentioning. He’s not fooling us into thinking he’s being “objective.” This isn’t a national media outlet (at least I’m pretty sure it isn’t - how’s your traffic?) and for that matter even our most popular national media outlet could use a little balancing and less attack. I don’t try and write rival opinions in my personal journal when I reflect on issues, and I don’t think one needs to be bound to that on a personal weblog either.
15 ordinarycitizen // Sep 5, 2008 at 12:30 pm
ordinaryradical-i would agree with you in almost every case….except when the blogger is a openly professing follower of Christ. Then I believe we should “DO JUSTLY, love mercy and walk humbly with our God.” I called him out because he seems to be feigning objectivity yet all his posts regarding the candidates indicates anything but. BTW, I think ALL the media outlets could use some balance/less attack; honest and truthful wouldn’t hurt, either.
Wildflower-please don’t feel as if you caused a disturbance…..you didn’t disturb me at all. I admire and appreciate your honesty; there is alot to like and dislike about both parties in this election, in my opinion. And I believe that unveiled, open discussions without hidden agendas are healthy and vital. I appreciate that about your posts and am more that willing to discuss the issues with anyone, but without pretense.
16 JR Rozko // Sep 5, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Objectivity is a myth, so I am not sure I could feign it. If I implied that I was speaking objectively, that was not my intention.
I have added a disclaimer to my comment on Palin above. So, if anyone wants to comment on the actual content of this post, I am happy for discussion to continue, but as far as the rabbit trails that seem to be emerging in the discussion, I am just not that interested. To be honest, I am not even sure how interested in the content of the post even - probably much better discussions to be having.
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