One of the things I've noticed this last week is the weakness of the pro-life convictions of many Christians. And I'm not talking about those who voted for Obama. I'm talking about those who see themselves as faithful to the pro-life cause. Their words, thoughts, and votes all line up, but ... they really don't seem to care about children. They embrace an issue, and that from safe distance. The weakness of the pro-life movement is that most involved are unwilling to offer more than token support: their liability is limited. Bring up adoption, and this becomes clear. I pray for a change of heart for the church of Christ ... for the sake of children ... whose welfare is the point of the abortion debate.
Competing sanctities show that expressed values may not be authentic. In the case of the church of Jesus Christ in America, it is clear that we've allowed our opponents in the critical culture debates to remove God from the conversation. Once God is not the issue, anything goes, and sanctities end up competing with one another because they do not have God behind them.
If Mr. Obama makes some of the immediate changes that are within his power, stem cell research will be unchecked. His position here was never in question. I am ashamed that on this issue alone the American Christian could not be rallied behind the Pro-Life banner.
ReplyDeleteNow, if we are obedient to our Father in heaven, we must pray for our chosen leader President Obama. Is it easier to be obedient now?
Pastor Torres,
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent blog on the election. Sometimes people's emotions and lack of understanding blind their reactions and behavior; hence a lot of "righteous rhetoric"
Did the election turn out the way I thought it should? That's not the issue. President-Elect, Barack Obama will be my President. My son-in-law, who is on the Admiral's staff of the 7th fleet, will have a new Commander-in-Chief. My friends in academia have hailed this election as a defining moment in American history and it was. Will this change attitudes in America? We humans have short memories. Our vertical priorities need to be centered on Jesus Christ. That's real change.
By the way, your pre and post election day sermons were stellar. Be encouraged!
Excellent points all. We do appreciate your blog, beats driving to Fordham for a lecture.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that we create this competition because we value our opinions more than we admit? Do you think that at the bottom of it is that we are a spoiled people, expecting (or demanding) the Lord to "bless" us rather than "subdue" us? I wonder if we have not come to expect that our opinions will cost us nothing, not even intellectual challenge. When we do receive a challenge or even a minor query, we protest that we are being persecuted and that Megiddo has been relocated to DC and Diocletian will be the new Chief of Staff.
We have relied too long on the government, instead of the Holy Spirit to govern morality. It is so much easier and safer to relinquish our mandate to "do justice" to the political whims of elected officials. We convince ourselve we are doing something but in reality we hide. Discipleship should indeed cost us, should it not? Or else is it not cheap grace? John Richard Neuhaus also speaks to this, we cannot abandon the public square. For if we do not speak and act, who will? (Not that Calvin's Geneva was a good option either, but I'm no fan of theocracies).
What do you think of Neuhaus? He's certainly not of the "Jesus loves you nice nice" school.