Politics, part 2: Three statements I don't like

"I didn't vote for Him/Her."
So what? God says to honor, submit to, and respect the government and government leaders/officials. The attitude behind that bumper sticker seems to be disrespect and rebellion. Do you think the first Christians really supported the political views of Caesar? Whether it was Nero or not, when Paul and Peter wrote about this issue, they said, "honor, submit, respect."


"If you don't vote, you have no right to complain."
Wrong. As a Christian, I have a responsibility, even a mandate (to use political jargon) to speak out against wrong and to stand up for what is right. But where am I commanded to vote? What principle, precept, or command says that I am not a good disciple of Jesus if I don't participate in elections? I have been told by Christian friends that "honor, submit, respect" means I should vote. Forgive me if I don't agree with your exegesis. I don't see it or understand it. I will not judge you for voting, but you shouldn't judge those who choose to be salt and light in non-political ways only. Sure, it is an opportunity, but don't make it a Christian duty (more thoughts on voting later)


"Vote your values". (Chronicle article)
I appreciate Focus on the Family and similar groups for their intentions, efforts, etc. but I feel uncomfortable with their methods. As much as I am opposed to homosexuality, I don't see how a constitutional ban on Gay Marriage, or even gay relationships helps anything or anyone. I don't believe in boycotting, use of force, or politics to accomplish God's Will.

Chrisitianity, Holiness, Salvation, etc. cannot be forced or legislated. If we do that, it means absolutely nothing. I fear what we are saying is, we want things our way, and we are going to use political power to get it. And I also think our own fears lie behind this mentality.

Wouldn't it be much easier if all sin were against the law? Then we wouldn't be persecuted. Then it would be so much easier to be a Christian. But, if things (by things, I guess I mean laws) change and homosexual marriage and abortion (I confess to feeling differently about abortion, since it is forced on the innocent) become even more acceptable, legally and socially, being a Christian will be much more difficult than it already is. Jesus told his followers to shake the dust off their feet when people rejected their message, not to bully and coerce them to comply.

Have you ever noticed that God never promises government backing, but emphasizes the unavoidableness of suffering and persecution?

My question is: Are we still going to stand up for right and against wrong even if the laws don't go our way?

Why don't we use all the energy taken by electioneering, campaigning, boycotting, marching, protesting, writing letters, calling our congresspeople, and on and on....and instead spend some time waging a spiritual war? Why don't we spend that time in prayer?

Why don't we use our time getting to know a homosexual couple and show them the love of Jesus and explain clearly why we believe what we believe? If they think we are closed-minded and intolerant (and many will), is our next step really to vote against them?

I appreciate your comments. Keep Romans 14-15 in mind as we discuss. I am sure someone will point out some flaws in my arguments (no surprise) and I welcome the help.

Politics, part 1: You just have to laugh

Signs are popping up everywhere. I removed three from the church yard recently. I didn't want to get in trouble for "supporting" one candidate and lose our tax-exempt status. Of course, the cars driving by probably assumed we like the other guy since I was removing signs.

Some signs make me laugh. I didn't realize at first that one sign actually had two last names on it. I almost wanted to vote for the guy just because I thought the name was Colosimo Soos. There is another multiple name sign in our community with three names. The third one is "Barabas". I chuckled to myself, imagining a throng of voters crying out, "Give us Barabas! Give us Barabas!" My wife didn't find that amusing for some reason.

I love the Maxine comic (grumpy old lady) and someone recently emailed a few of them. Here are her thoughts on politics:

"They hold elections in November because it's the best time for picking out a turkey."

"How's this for a political platform: Don't lie through your teeth!"

"Voting is like choosing your favorite mosquito out of a swarm."

This is a cartoon from our community paper:
The scene is Moses holding the two tablets just after receiving the Law. A man in the front row of the crowd asks, "Did he say anything about Tree Ordinances?"
If you know how picky some towns can be about zoning ordinances, what you can and cannot do, and how you must do it when it comes to cutting trees, putting up a sign, etc., you can appreciate that cartoon.

As Election Day nears, I will post some more serious thoughts on Christians and government. I have thought a lot about it in recent years. Bible study and some personal experiences (living overseas especially) have caused me to think differently than I used to.

They will probably be inflammatory and heretical. I know you can't wait.

Thank you God and Creator for Fall!

Happy Birthday!!

Our little girl is 1 today!

Reform in the Blogosphere!

All is vanity! Vanity of Vanities! After travelling to and fro in the blogosphere, I see a great need for reform and revival. Any great movement will eventually become staid and empty. Therefore, there is a great need for a Blog-Prophet to preach repentance unto good blogging. I AM THAT Blog-Prophet!!

Thou shalt no longer post inane and meaningless comments on someone's blog for the sole purpose of drawing people unto thine own blog. This is deception. And it is pretty obvious most of the time. Be honest and send a mass advertising email to let people know about your new post or blog. (Blog-Prophet has confessed and repented of this abomination)

Thou shalt refrain from insipid and vacuous posts that resemble Wednesday night Devo fodder. Boring and repetitive posts on Biblical topics rehashing Lucado or some 5 minute devo. This also includes adding your two cents on your own blog after reading someone else's post on a topic wherein you neither add anything to the discussion nor teach nor encourage, but only say how you feel about potato chips or Matthew 16. As the good book sayeth, "if you have nothing good to say, don't say anything at all."

Thou shalt refrain from using the word "emergent" on thy blog for at least a week.

Thou shalt cease from over-blogging and mixed-blogging. Both of which involves posting a deep theological thought on Monday followed by a discussion on Seinfeld or 80's music on Wednesday and then a picture of your child on Saturday. Make up your mind! (BTW-does anyone know what to do about a Lady Bug infestation?)

Thou shalt never use fancy words like vacous and staid to sound intellectual and impress strangers who readest thy blog.

Thou shalt leave the blogosphere at least long enough to prepare one decent sermon or spend time with thine offspring.

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, he who posts comments as "anonymous" shall NOT enter the kingdom of Heaven!

THE BLOG-PROPHET HATH SPOKEN!


(Best if read with the silly Monty Python voice)

Christian Humor

I recently discovered this website dedicated to Christian Humor. They linked to me so they must have good taste. Actually, they didn't even ask, but I have enjoyed the site so I guess I will forgive.

The JORJ: Journal of Religious Jocularity

I will add the link to the ones on the right as well.

Does God Exist? and John Clayton

We had a great weekend October 6-8! John Clayton was here and spoke numerous times for us. On Friday and Saturday evenings we rented a local middle school and he spoke on God's existence, the nature of God, and Christianity compared to other religions. Saturday morning, he spoke at our building for a Sunday School Workshop. He spoke three times for us on Sunday: on the church, his personal conversion from atheism, and the problem of suffering.

It was well attended, with about 100 people at each session except for the Sunday School Workshop. About half were visitors on Fri and Sat and we had 5-10 visitors at each service on Sunday. A lot of people from the community have asked for more info.

Some of my favorite moments from the weekend:

• His story from his pre-Christian days of catching his atheist friend in the hospital praying
• Learning that the Earth is perfectly placed in our solar system to protect us from comets
• Hearing stories of what atheists (and sadly, our own brethren) have done to him
• His challenge Sunday evening to use whatever pain or tragedy has occurred in our life to help/serve others who are hurting in the same way
• Saying that most people are atheists for the same reason many are Christians--being brainwashed by our parents

He is a faithful brother using his gifts and experience to serve the Kingdom. I encourage you to find out more about him and his ministry. Consider using him to reach out in your community.

For more about him and his ministry, and to contact him, click here.
To purchase his materials, look here.

Stop Scripture Abuse Now!!!

In honor of all those who like to make the Bible say things it doesn't really say, here are some excerpts from a New Translation (with comparison to NIV):

John 4:24
NIV--"God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and truth."
New Translation--"Worshippers must worship in the way I think is acceptable."

1 Corinthians 14:40
NIV--"But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."
New Translation--"Everything should be done in the way I think it should be done."

1 Timothy 2:12
NIV--"I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man; she must be silent."
New Translation--"I do not permit a woman to do anything that I don't think she should do."

I am not commenting an any worship or women's issues that are argued about daily and that divide churches. I am probably more traditional than many of you reading this. What bothers me is how we use the Bible to back up what we believe. And ironically, we all use the same verses to back up different opinions.

Often when we quote these three passages in particular, we are really saying/thinking what I called the "New Translation" without any concern for what the text actually says or means. All we are defending is what we think or want.

There are organizations and lawyers to protect animals and humans from abuse. Who will fight against Scripture Abuse? Maybe, we should start a support group for "Scripture Abusers Anonymous." I have definitely been guily of it.

So...STOP IT!

Dateline: To Catch a King

I must confess that I have watched most of the “Dateline: To Catch a Predator” shows that have been on recently. It has the quality of a natural disaster or train wreck: it is very difficult to look away, while being repulsed at the same time.

It definitely makes us aware that we live in a sick and fallen world full of sick and fallen people who have allowed Satan control of their lives and who live only for self and pleasure, even perverted pleasure.

But there is another reason I watch the show and will continue to. I am learning about sin and human nature. When the Dateline guy comes out, I am always interested in the reaction of the perps. They start out acting like nothing is wrong. They play it cool. When they realize they are on TV, some crack, some leave, some keep up the façade of innocence. Sadly, no one believes them at any point, but they keep trying to deceive. Finally, while being interview by the police in hand-cuffs, reality sinks in. Even then, some don’t accept responsibility for their actions.

“I wasn’t going to do anything.” We know that is a lie, or at best a person who is so deep in sin that they have totally deceived themselves. Maybe, some of them believe their own lie.

While watching this train wreck, I kept thinking about King David. Is it wrong to compare these men to the great Hebrew King? Which men on Dateline are the most sickening? The ones who have power and influence: the rabbi, the doctor. King David had lots of power and influence. Maybe he didn’t do something inappropriate with children but he did commit the triple whammy of adultery/murder/deception. And he kept on living the lie.

It took a prophet, playing the role of Chris Hanson, who calls David out by first telling a story. It should have sounded familiar but David was so deep in sin that it did not. In hypocrisy, he angrily condemned the evil thief in the parable. Then the moment came:


“You are the man!” I wish I knew how Nathan said that phrase. Loudly, humbly, angrily, disgusted? David, though, was a godly man.

When confronted with his sins, though not in the national spotlight, his heart broke. “I have sinned against the Lord.” He cried out to God. He repented. He didn’t make excuses or try to continue the lie. He could have killed Nathan, if he wanted.

What do you do when you are busted? You may not be an internet predator, but you sin. You have sin that no one knows about. How far do you go to cover it up? And why are you waiting until you are caught? It may be on TV.

Silly Ramblings to Distract Me From All the Sad News on TV

I went to a different post office today. The workers in our town seem pretty unhappy to be there. I am sure they are nice people if you know them outside of work but I would love to have a Cliff Claven there to liven things up. Or even if they were just drinking beer, that might make things more interesting, instead of the funeral home atmosphere. Today, I went to one just as close to our home, but in a different town. It has the tiniest parking space I have ever seen. You can fit 4-5 cars or 13 mopeds or maybe 15 bicycles. Since we don't live in Italy or India, it is hard to manage.

I love Staples. I love buying office supplies. I could spend hours in a office supply store looking at all the planners and such. I don't know why or where that comes from. Maybe from the back to school days of buying notebooks and a new backpack. Next to a book store, Staples is my second choice to browse in. Or Wal-Mart, of course, which has some books, some office supplies and a lot more.

I learned something at the grocery store (besides the latest details about Tom and Katie while standing in the check-out line): I buy milk based on color. I buy the green milk. At Wal-Mart, it is 2% but at our normal grocery, green is 1%. I never pay attention to the numbers on the label. I am just conditioned to buy whichever has a green cap and label. At least they are both healthy. Can someone explain this?

A veteran was collecting money outside. I felt guilty for being annoyed because various veterans groups call on a regular basis asking for money. So, I took out my checkbook and asked how much it would take to stop the phone calls. I do appreciate what they have done and support our troops, but what a sad world we live in where we have to make the hard choice between Nazism, Fascism, Communism, and Terroism on one side, and telemarketers on the other. Some questions are just too philosophical to spend much time on.

Between various veteran groups, cancer groups, and the Police athletic leagues, we get a lot of calls. Like you, sometimes we give, sometimes we don't. Some of these people make you feel guilty for not giving the minimum of $10 dollars to their cause. I am always tempted to share details of our budget and explain who and where we do give money so they won't think we are uncaring, cold-hearted, and evil. But sometimes, I would like to say, "Sorry, I am a tight-fisted, hard-hearted jerk," which isn't true, but might stop all the calls.

They call every couple of months. Since we didn't sign up for the "do not call" list, there are probably 10-15 of us left in America that all these groups are allowed to call.

I have begun to recognize a voice who always says, "sorry, wrong number." I am starting to think it is one of them who called three times one day asking for Marisa. She was painting, so I kept saying that she was busy. "It's just a courtesy call," they say. What does that mean? I wonder if they assume she might be the nice one and I am not allowing her to talk. See that, paranoia is a normal consequence of telemarketers. Did Hitler ever cause paranoia?