• Archive of "politics" Category

    Gut Thoughts on Government and Evil

    September 2, 2008 // 29 Comments »

    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.

    Posted in evil, politics

    What To Do With Evil

    August 17, 2008 // 16 Comments »

    Rick Warren and Saddleback Church hosted a forum where John McCain and Barack Obama answered a series of questions posed by Rick. One of the questions was,

    “Does evil exist, and if so, should it be ignored, negotiated with, contained, or defeated?”

    The clip is below, but in short Barack’s response was,

    “Evil does exist, and it must be confronted, but with humility as the eradication of evil is ultimately God’s task.”

    McCain was more straightforward,

    “Defeat it.”

    Just wondered if anyone wanted to comment on this before I try (maybe) to say something about it. The entire transcript for the forum is here (no longer available, but this links to a press release). And you can view the forum in 4 parts here.

    Posted in church, politics, video

    David Ford – State of the Union

    May 6, 2008 // 7 Comments »

    DISCLAIMER: If you can’t handle “bad” words OR if you don’t like being confronted with tough truths, go here instead.

    I came across a really cool video by David Ford last week and have been trying to listen to more of his music since then. I think he’s a great lyricist. And that includes this song, which I think offers a justifiably scathing critique of much that passes for Christianity out there. (video here if you prefer)

    I hardly know where to begin in terms of unpacking what he seems to be conveying here so maybe I will just wait for some comments and go from there. You are gonna comment right?

    The lyrics are here – probably my favorite line…

    Come on, Jesus Christ, come back, all is forgiven. We are lost, we are lost, we are lost.

    Posted in christendom, music, politics

    One Day = $720 Million Dollars

    March 29, 2008 // 1 Comment »

    Immediately after I finished my taxes this morning and submitted them online, I caught this video over on Josh’s blog and wanted to repost it.  Of course there are all sorts of issues bound up with a video like this and I don’t mean to oversimplify it, but I find it incredibly convicting in terms of how little thought I tend to give to what my money is going to.  ”Out of sight, out of mind,” as they say.  I wish I could simply rest in the fact that I am getting a full refund of my federal taxes from last year, but something tells me that there just might be something more to it than that – ya think?  

    Posted in money, politics

    The Fuller Seminary Generation

    February 25, 2008 // 4 Comments »

    Jim Wallis is an author and speaker who emphasizes the ways in which Jesus is a political figure, the gospel is a political message/lifestyle, and the church is a political body. IMPORTANT: Neither Jim Wallis nor I would ever say that this is ALL Jesus, the gospel, and the church are – just that they are vital, but often overlooked dimensions.

    These were new and not-so-easy-to-swallow concepts for me as a student at Fuller. In ten years as a christian, and until coming to Fuller, I had never been invited to contemplate what it means that Jesus died, not an abstract atoning death, but at the hands of the Roman empire for being a political insurrectionist. Additionally, the gospel (far from being poised as a life to be lived – which has political implications) was reduced to a truth to assent to, namely, that Jesus was God and that he died in my place so I can go to heaven when I die. Incidentally, I should say that I believe this insofar as it goes, but rejoice that I have come to embrace a much more robust and holistic understanding of God’s good news. Lastly, I understood the church as little more than a collection of saved individuals, not as I do now, a community called to embody an alternative way of life – a polis with the Triune God as its Lord.

    Anyway, in a recent article, Wallis discuses the way in which an increasing number of people in my generation (current 20-somethings), are “abandoning a worldview that reduces the gospel of Jesus Christ to an afterlife-oriented, fire-insurance, salvation pitch.” He claims, “These are Matthew 25, Luke 4, and ‘Sermon on the Mount’ Christians. They really believe that the kingdom of God represents God’s best hopes and dreams for this present age, not only for the life to come.”

    In calling this demographic of people “the Fuller Seminary Generation,” Wallis notes the enormous role Fuller Theological Seminary has played in shaping a generation of pastors, theologians, and missionaries who don’t quite fit into traditional molds. Depending on who you talk to Fuller is either too conservative or too liberal – too political or not political enough – too rightist or too leftist. No one quite knows what to do with the school and I would say that this is to their credit as they seek to transcend conventional dichotomies.

    I believe that Fuller is able to overcome these dichotomies, not by finding a balance between them, but refusing to see them as the only viable options (FYI – I think they get this from Jesus who also refused to pick sides). As my friend Sam pointed out, people like Rob Bell (maybe one day I’ll have my own wikipedia page!! jk, I don’t want one ;) and Tony Jones are products of Fuller and I think they are doing a world of good for the state of the church in Western culture (I’m compelled to add, there are plenty of other people – non-white/male people, from Fuller doing a world of good – I mention these however because, sadly, they are still the only figures our culture tends to give any attention to – this is a serious problem!)

    Anyway, here’s the point. I love Fuller and I am thrilled that someone like Jim Wallis is giving them credit for the contribution they are making to the reshaping of the church in Western culture and beyond.

     

     

    Posted in articles, evangelicalism, Fuller Seminary, politics, theology

    Derek Webb – Ten Thousand Angels

    January 12, 2008 // 2 Comments »

    I have long been admirer of Derek Webb and his music. I had some stuff to say here, and even made a presentation to go with one of his songs.

    One of his most recent songs, with Caedmon’s Call, was featured the other night on Grey’s Anatomy (not originally their song). I didn’t see the show, but was able to check out the song and I have probably listened to it 30 times since then. I think it’s amazing and thought I’d share it with you.

    Ten Thousand Angels - Derek Webb and Caedmon's Call [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

    Here are the lyrics.

    how long you have traveled in darkness weeping
    no rest in language, no words to speak
    but there in the wreckage beneath bricks and bindings
    love has come, love has come for you

    against the night sky of your waiting
    your face is like starlight when he walks in
    everything worth keeping comes through dying
    love has come, love has come for you

    so lift up your heart now, to this unfolding
    all that has been broken will be restored
    here runs deep waters for all who are thirsty
    love has come, love has come for you

    ten thousand angels will light your pathway
    until the day breaks fully in the East
    they will surround you and make your way straight
    love has come, love has come for you
    love has come, love has come for you

    Posted in love, media, music, politics

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