Prelim statements:
1. I don't know if Rick Warren actually thought he was going to get "truthful" answers - but speaking in a church for either of these candidates is going to slant their answers.
2. I am not endorsing either candidate...neither do I agree with wholeheartedly. Almost a lose-lose situation - but we gotta have A president. And it is my Christian duty - a person who tries with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God - to pray for my President - and that is what I'll do...
Obama:
1. Didn't he start every answer (maybe slightly exaggerating) with "well..."
2. He answered the "are you a Christian and what does that mean" and said "hopefully my sins will be forgiven" at the end. But...is being a Christian being tolerant and ok (meaning, they are right too) in beliefs that are anti-only Christ?
3. He failed to answer the "when life begins" question. No matter what he believes - he wouldn't answer it. Something is wrong with that - don't dodge it. I know he may not make a lot of money as President - but that decision is not "above his pay grade".
4. Even though he believes in man/woman marriage with "God in the mix" he will not take a governmental stand against same-sex marriage. Thinking through it with him. He was right - our constitution has not defined marriage in the past - so to define it now would be discriminating. Are we going to apply Christian principles in politics in some areas and not in others? We aren't consistent. That is where politics and faith are incompatible.
5. I agree with the fact about faith-based orgs - they shouldn't be +/- based on that sole factor.
6. Merit-based pay for teachers. YES. I agree. Don't we do that in almost every other profession? Yes. We reward excellence - like he said.
7. No one likes taxes - he is right. But, he is also right - they must be. And I agree also, I don't like loopholes. I hate doing my taxes - but that's why we have accountants - right? Is there a choice to not have taxes? Someone provide me a workable solution w/o taxes and I'll sign on! :) But, I don't have ever see that happening? Even during the Revolution - wasn't there something about taxing tea that was behind the Boston Tea Party? As the saying goes, nothing is as sure as death and taxes.
8. Orphans/adoption. Southern is really big on adoption. But why is adoption so expensive? I think it should include extensive (maybe even more so than now) interviews, etc - but why does it have to cost so much?
9. Why does he want to be President: Basically...he empathizes with the little people - that's why he wants to be president. Not good enough for me. I didn't think that was the greatest answer to give for that question.
10. There are going to be sacrifices. But, while he limited his answer - I would say he doesn't want Americans to have to make sacrifices in other areas - like the war in Iraq, the mental health of a mother in the 8th month, etc. So, why does he want us to make sacrifices in some areas and other not others...again - the duplicity of politics.
Alright...clapping, politeness, hugs, commercials...
McCain:
1. Wisdom - I don't think wisdom is based on Ebay - wisdom is not that. Go read Proverbs. Thanks Dustin for preaching on it right now.
2. Greatest American failure - we don't think outside ourselves. I think that is very true and very broad. It covers many areas...
3. I do like the whole "offshore drilling" thing - that we are sending billions of dollars to countries who don't like us very much...why? We have Texas don't we - and yes, I know that is very simplistic and unreasonable.
4. To be a Christian: "saved and forgiven" - ok, that's vague - not mentioning Jesus at all - even Obama did that. Didn't even answer the everyday question.
5. Abortion - at least he answered undoubtedly the life begins at conception question. Pro-life policies commitment.
6. We should preserve marriage. Great - than let's make that constitutional. But do we get in to exclusions.
7. McCain is very simple in his answers. More so than I have seen him before. He is very "emphatic" - defeat it (evil question). But, to my knowledge, evil will exist until Jesus returns - but we can fight against it.
8. Faith-based orgs can not have it both ways. They can not have be out from under the Constitution on hiring policies but also want government funding.
9. Find bad teachers another line of work - praise Jesus! :) Choice in competition. But, are we giving training and help to those bad teachers - meaning...is it because of outside influences that they are bad - or are they just bad teachers?
10. He didn't really answer the rich question... It wasn't taxes, it was spending. Studying bears in Montana - haha! (He is more funny than Obama, at least tonight).
11. You can't have complete privacy and complete security. Which one is more important? It should go back to one of his first answers - we must think outside ourselves. I don't know what the answer is - but I'm not running for president.
12. Why do you want to be President: Serve outside yourself. Inspiration. Unity. Definitely a Republican answer. Much better answer than Obama (stand up for the little people).
More venues...more conversations...
Now...if I were to have to vote right now - of course I would vote for McCain. One of my girls said "Bush is pro-life too and abortions haven't gone down, so I'm going to vote for Obama". But I didn't see enough compelling evidence in his discussion tonight to vote for him - even though I didn't disagree with him on everything. And he is the only one that mentioned Jesus and God and had more of that discussion. But, as commentary said before, it isn't "McCain's way to do that". Do I agree with that no - you should take a strong stand for Christ wherever!
Now for Phelps and commentary!
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
WORLD magazine on politics, religion, gay marriage, and culture
I was able to flip through a World magazine today and several articles caught my attention, and I thought I would elaborate on them here.
"Not Too Hot, Not Too Cold" - Joel Belz
Good article on how much we want our politicians to be religious. We don't want them to be heretics or heathens, but we don't want them preaching the Word to us all the time either.
"Mike Huckabee...that's dangerous stuff, bordering on radicalism" - on how he was a Baptist Minister
"Mitt Romney...his beliefs in Mormonism shaped him thoroughly...he's a fanatic."
Mr. Belz does say that the founding fathers mention God in the documents of our early country, but very little is made mention of the Trinitarian God and "speak only in vague generalities about God".
We want a person's political beliefs to not be linked to anything demanding like religious beliefs.
But, what does the word of God have to say about it. The title made me immediately think of Revelation where He says to the church "“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."
Belz wrote: "or someone whose religion is just an accessory to his life, about as important as the brand of suit he wears, but then he's a mere nominalist."
I don't want a mere nominalist as a politician, as a pastor, and I surely don't want to be a mere nominalist.
On Gay Marriage:
San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders went with his heart on his action of vetoing a law outlawing same-sex marriage. His daughter is a lesbian. But, as soon as I read the statement about "I decided to lead with my heart" I thought of Jeremiah 17.9: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick, who can understand it?" I guess Sanders didn't think about all the laws in God's Word where it says that homosexuality is a sin and God didn't create sex or marriage for that - He created both for His glory in the relationship of a covenantal marriage between a man and a woman for life.
On "Braveheart" - Jenny Kraemer
The first time I saw the trailer for Jodie Foster's movie The Brave One, I thought of a recent sermon by my pastor, James Hilton, on love and how we always seek vengeance - and not love (out of the sermon on the mount). But, as I read the article I was convicted about something else. Aren't most movies the same as this one? Take Batman (I love this series) - it is all about his vengeance of his parents' death. But, we cheer for Batman, we cheer at the end of all these movies. We don't think of it as sin do we? James Mac just preached a couple of sermons on this topic as well. We don't think about our lives being gripped by fear, "grappling with the pragmatics of justice and mercy". The only answer "Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him." (Isaiah 30.18).
I hope these thoughts spur you on to read magazines and culture and politics...in the light of the Word. May you think about the WORD as you read and engage culture. Don't be afraid of culture - but view everything through the lens of the WORD - have a Biblical Worldview.
"Not Too Hot, Not Too Cold" - Joel Belz
Good article on how much we want our politicians to be religious. We don't want them to be heretics or heathens, but we don't want them preaching the Word to us all the time either.
"Mike Huckabee...that's dangerous stuff, bordering on radicalism" - on how he was a Baptist Minister
"Mitt Romney...his beliefs in Mormonism shaped him thoroughly...he's a fanatic."
Mr. Belz does say that the founding fathers mention God in the documents of our early country, but very little is made mention of the Trinitarian God and "speak only in vague generalities about God".
We want a person's political beliefs to not be linked to anything demanding like religious beliefs.
But, what does the word of God have to say about it. The title made me immediately think of Revelation where He says to the church "“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."
Belz wrote: "or someone whose religion is just an accessory to his life, about as important as the brand of suit he wears, but then he's a mere nominalist."
I don't want a mere nominalist as a politician, as a pastor, and I surely don't want to be a mere nominalist.
On Gay Marriage:
San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders went with his heart on his action of vetoing a law outlawing same-sex marriage. His daughter is a lesbian. But, as soon as I read the statement about "I decided to lead with my heart" I thought of Jeremiah 17.9: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick, who can understand it?" I guess Sanders didn't think about all the laws in God's Word where it says that homosexuality is a sin and God didn't create sex or marriage for that - He created both for His glory in the relationship of a covenantal marriage between a man and a woman for life.
On "Braveheart" - Jenny Kraemer
The first time I saw the trailer for Jodie Foster's movie The Brave One, I thought of a recent sermon by my pastor, James Hilton, on love and how we always seek vengeance - and not love (out of the sermon on the mount). But, as I read the article I was convicted about something else. Aren't most movies the same as this one? Take Batman (I love this series) - it is all about his vengeance of his parents' death. But, we cheer for Batman, we cheer at the end of all these movies. We don't think of it as sin do we? James Mac just preached a couple of sermons on this topic as well. We don't think about our lives being gripped by fear, "grappling with the pragmatics of justice and mercy". The only answer "Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him." (Isaiah 30.18).
I hope these thoughts spur you on to read magazines and culture and politics...in the light of the Word. May you think about the WORD as you read and engage culture. Don't be afraid of culture - but view everything through the lens of the WORD - have a Biblical Worldview.
Saturday, August 04, 2007
BHC Breakout Session - Curtis Freeman
Breakout Session 4 – Curtis Freeman (Duke University)
Baptists in Politics
What do Baptists have in common in their politics? What motivates them?
Brooks Hays – The Baptist Way of Life
Jimmy Carter
Jerry Falwell
Questions:
1. Do we have a stake in the civil order? Most crucial question – figure out your answer to that first when thinking about this subject. John Smyth “Worldly authority or magistry is a necessary ordinance of God, appointed and established for the preservation of the common estate, and of a good, natural political life, for the reward of the good and the punishing of the evil…this office of the worldly authority of the Lord Jesus hath not ordained in his spiritual kingdom, the church of the NT, nor adjoined to the offices of his church.” (1610) – The Philadelphia Confession of 1742 would echo this Smyth quote and one by Helwys.
2. Can the state be Christian? Roger Williams and John Cotton debate. Christenings Make Not Christians (7th Volume in Williams’ works). Contending that the key issue is baptism – infant baptism forces all these people to be “Christians”. “The Garden of the Church and the wilderness of the world.” The Key to the Language of America by Williams in 1643
3. What kind of politics suits our interests? John Leland - A Blow at the Root (1801). The Liberty of Conscience. “Let us then adore that God who has been so favorable to our land, and nation – praise him for all that is past – trust him for all that is to come, and not ascribe that to man which is due to God alone.”
4. When and under what circumstances may Christians disobey (civil disobedience) the law? Re: the Civil Rights Movement (breaking the law when it comes to injustice). MLK Jr – “There comes a time when they cup of endurance runs over, and men are no longer willing to be plunged into the abyss of despair.” Should we be allowed to break laws in order to change them? What would Romans 13 have to say about that? What if we take the punishment among ourselves? He wrote the above quote while from a Birmingham jail. It “might awaken our sleeping white brethren.”
5. Can politics reflect the views of the majority and also respect the interests of the minorities? Jerry Falwell, John Winthrop “And why may not Christians have liberty to go and dwell amongst them in their waste lands and woods…as lawfully as Abraham did among the Sodomites?”
What is our witness as Baptists in relation to different races, countries, etc? The “savages”, the heathen (Lottie Moon), the Muslim, the Hindus, the JWs, the people who believe different than us – shouldn’t we love them with the love of Jesus and maybe not always try to get across a certain political agenda? What is more important – democracy or the Word of God and the Salvation that lies only in Jesus Christ? Remember – the main thing is the MAIN THING.
“I am not a Republican, I am not a Democrat. I am a noisy Baptist.” – Falwell
Baptists in Politics
What do Baptists have in common in their politics? What motivates them?
Brooks Hays – The Baptist Way of Life
Jimmy Carter
Jerry Falwell
Questions:
1. Do we have a stake in the civil order? Most crucial question – figure out your answer to that first when thinking about this subject. John Smyth “Worldly authority or magistry is a necessary ordinance of God, appointed and established for the preservation of the common estate, and of a good, natural political life, for the reward of the good and the punishing of the evil…this office of the worldly authority of the Lord Jesus hath not ordained in his spiritual kingdom, the church of the NT, nor adjoined to the offices of his church.” (1610) – The Philadelphia Confession of 1742 would echo this Smyth quote and one by Helwys.
2. Can the state be Christian? Roger Williams and John Cotton debate. Christenings Make Not Christians (7th Volume in Williams’ works). Contending that the key issue is baptism – infant baptism forces all these people to be “Christians”. “The Garden of the Church and the wilderness of the world.” The Key to the Language of America by Williams in 1643
3. What kind of politics suits our interests? John Leland - A Blow at the Root (1801). The Liberty of Conscience. “Let us then adore that God who has been so favorable to our land, and nation – praise him for all that is past – trust him for all that is to come, and not ascribe that to man which is due to God alone.”
4. When and under what circumstances may Christians disobey (civil disobedience) the law? Re: the Civil Rights Movement (breaking the law when it comes to injustice). MLK Jr – “There comes a time when they cup of endurance runs over, and men are no longer willing to be plunged into the abyss of despair.” Should we be allowed to break laws in order to change them? What would Romans 13 have to say about that? What if we take the punishment among ourselves? He wrote the above quote while from a Birmingham jail. It “might awaken our sleeping white brethren.”
5. Can politics reflect the views of the majority and also respect the interests of the minorities? Jerry Falwell, John Winthrop “And why may not Christians have liberty to go and dwell amongst them in their waste lands and woods…as lawfully as Abraham did among the Sodomites?”
What is our witness as Baptists in relation to different races, countries, etc? The “savages”, the heathen (Lottie Moon), the Muslim, the Hindus, the JWs, the people who believe different than us – shouldn’t we love them with the love of Jesus and maybe not always try to get across a certain political agenda? What is more important – democracy or the Word of God and the Salvation that lies only in Jesus Christ? Remember – the main thing is the MAIN THING.
“I am not a Republican, I am not a Democrat. I am a noisy Baptist.” – Falwell
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