Fine. Politically and ideologically, I have a viewpoint. It's a strong one. You can fool me (See "Obama, Barack, 2008") but my basic approach and opinions on matters haven't changed much in 10+ years. I will not sit here and tell you that I'm either moderate, or open-minded in a certain sense, because I'm not.
But I can tell you for certain that I'm a patriot and an optimist. I've only had an active dislike for one candidate the entire time. [You forgot McCain.--ed.] Well, that's debatable. It's not like I'd have been upset if he won. In any case, while I might naturally be an optimist, I also consider myself optimistic in application of the biblical truth that Jesus is Universal President for All Time. This is just true.
I do find it irritating that people who don't understand issues or the game of politics in America wade in to give this lecture to politically-engaged Christians, as if we've never heard this before. Firstly, if you truly don't know what the fuss is about, thank you for the reminder that this is not our home, but shut up. The fact that you are Christian and desiring not to rob Jesus of His glory does not entitle you to look down your nose at those who are deeply passionate about war and peace, social safety nets, or what have you in a way that you don't understand. You don't sound holy and above the fray; you sound like a fool.
I digress. Though I am gravely concerned about the evil of abortion and its increase, or the possibility that my party is not committed to peace and just war only as a last resort, for example, my default reaction to the election of the "other guy" (or anybody) is, "Hmmmm. The people and God must know something I don't."
And that goes for Barack Obama. He is not a punishment from God; he is not evil incarnate; he's not even close to the worst president ever. If he wins, well, there must be a reason. Those concerns I have--grave ones--about life, death, and the relation of Church and State will still be there. But as long as we are free, we have no reason to be downcast. And even if we were not, could you even dare withhold your prayers from one in the image of God?
Truth be told, I wish that the big chair in that fancy house in DC was the Church, because I know God would have something profound to say (or do) to the son of George Romney, too. He may say it anyway.
In some ways, I am the most partisan of men. My opinions are strong, and I will share them. But in another way, part of what it means to "come together as Americans," if that means anything at all, is not to agree, but to hope for the best, even to believe it will be better, even in spite of ourselves. In something like 96 hours, this election will be over. To let it have its place, and be done with it is not to dismiss it as insignificant, nor is it to spiritualize it away in some spasm of moral superiority, but it is that very act of recognizing the City of Man and the City of God by letting go.
But I can tell you for certain that I'm a patriot and an optimist. I've only had an active dislike for one candidate the entire time. [You forgot McCain.--ed.] Well, that's debatable. It's not like I'd have been upset if he won. In any case, while I might naturally be an optimist, I also consider myself optimistic in application of the biblical truth that Jesus is Universal President for All Time. This is just true.
I do find it irritating that people who don't understand issues or the game of politics in America wade in to give this lecture to politically-engaged Christians, as if we've never heard this before. Firstly, if you truly don't know what the fuss is about, thank you for the reminder that this is not our home, but shut up. The fact that you are Christian and desiring not to rob Jesus of His glory does not entitle you to look down your nose at those who are deeply passionate about war and peace, social safety nets, or what have you in a way that you don't understand. You don't sound holy and above the fray; you sound like a fool.
I digress. Though I am gravely concerned about the evil of abortion and its increase, or the possibility that my party is not committed to peace and just war only as a last resort, for example, my default reaction to the election of the "other guy" (or anybody) is, "Hmmmm. The people and God must know something I don't."
And that goes for Barack Obama. He is not a punishment from God; he is not evil incarnate; he's not even close to the worst president ever. If he wins, well, there must be a reason. Those concerns I have--grave ones--about life, death, and the relation of Church and State will still be there. But as long as we are free, we have no reason to be downcast. And even if we were not, could you even dare withhold your prayers from one in the image of God?
Truth be told, I wish that the big chair in that fancy house in DC was the Church, because I know God would have something profound to say (or do) to the son of George Romney, too. He may say it anyway.
In some ways, I am the most partisan of men. My opinions are strong, and I will share them. But in another way, part of what it means to "come together as Americans," if that means anything at all, is not to agree, but to hope for the best, even to believe it will be better, even in spite of ourselves. In something like 96 hours, this election will be over. To let it have its place, and be done with it is not to dismiss it as insignificant, nor is it to spiritualize it away in some spasm of moral superiority, but it is that very act of recognizing the City of Man and the City of God by letting go.
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