nationalism: good or bad?

Nationalism as understood today may have had its roots in Europe, but its seems to have begun within the story in Genesis 11 of the Tower of Babel, people no longer united due to their different languages- hence the term babble- and spreading throughout the earth. There is much difference over the precise meaning and significance of nationalism, perhaps reflected here by two sets of definitions for the term, from two respected sources:

1. Devotion to the interests or culture of one's nation.
2. The belief that nations will benefit from acting independently rather than collectively, emphasizing national rather than international goals.
3. Aspirations for national independence in a country under foreign domination.

The Free Online Dictionary

1 : loyalty and devotion to a nation; especially : a sense of national consciousness exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations or supranational groups
2 : a nationalist movement or government

Merriam-Webster Online

From a Christian point of view we can ask the question, "Is nationalism good, or bad?" And from respected sources such as C.S. Lewis and Stanley Hauerwas (Dietrich Bonhoeffer probably being closer to Hauerwas than Lewis) you will again get varying answers. Of course all recognize that any nation-state can demand of its citizens or subjects that which only God can demand of them, and that nationalism with nationalistic settings and goals can indeed amount to idolatry.

My vantage point theologically is greatly impacted by the Anabaptists. Of course there's a wide spectrum among them as to how this is understood and played out. But by and large I am wary of a kind of devotion to one's nation that is attached with commitments to political parties, or entities, which may and inevitably I think will compromise one's commitment to the kingdom of God come in Jesus. Though I am of the persuasion that as salt and light here on earth, we in Jesus are to impact every sphere of life. The question is just how we're to do that.

This is just a preliminary sketch on a subject I'm pondering a bit, lately. An interesting link on this, here.

What do you think about this?

nationalism: good or bad?

Nationalism as understood today may have had its roots in Europe, but its seems to have begun within the story in Genesis 11 of the Tower of Babel, people no longer united due to their different languages- hence the term babble- and spreading throughout the earth. There is much difference over the precise meaning and significance of nationalism, perhaps reflected here by two sets of definitions for the term, from two respected sources:

1. Devotion to the interests or culture of one's nation.
2. The belief that nations will benefit from acting independently rather than collectively, emphasizing national rather than international goals.
3. Aspirations for national independence in a country under foreign domination.

The Free Online Dictionary

1 : loyalty and devotion to a nation; especially : a sense of national consciousness exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations or supranational groups
2 : a nationalist movement or government

Merriam-Webster Online

From a Christian point of view we can ask the question, "Is nationalism good, or bad?" And from respected sources such as C.S. Lewis and Stanley Hauerwas (Dietrich Bonhoeffer probably being closer to Hauerwas than Lewis) you will again get varying answers. Of course all recognize that any nation-state can demand of its citizens or subjects that which only God can demand of them, and that nationalism with nationalistic settings and goals can indeed amount to idolatry.

My vantage point theologically is greatly impacted by the Anabaptists. Of course there's a wide spectrum among them as to how this is understood and played out. But by and large I am wary of a kind of devotion to one's nation that is attached with commitments to political parties, or entities, which may and inevitably I think will compromise one's commitment to the kingdom of God come in Jesus. Though I am of the persuasion that as salt and light here on earth, we in Jesus are to impact every sphere of life. The question is just how we're to do that.

This is just a preliminary sketch on a subject I'm pondering a bit, lately. An interesting link on this, here.

What do you think about this?

politics and the kingdom

(I overslept for the second day in a row. This of necessity must be short, since today I barely got up in time to get around. Tomorrow we continue the book by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg.)

Was Jesus political? Yes and no. If we mean in terms of this world, coming as an alternative party to work in the system, by all means no. But if we means in terms of "the kingdom of God" come in him, into this world, and yes into the political sphere, to begin transforming all things now, and someday to do so when Jesus returns, by all means, yes.

However while this is true, I wonder if we Christians who hold to it can easily get lost in it, and end up losing our identity and being sidetracked from our calling in its pursuit. There is no doubt that the gospel of the kingdom in Jesus is bigger than I was taught to think as a boy. It encompasses the reconciliation of all things in Christ, with the call to reconciliation to be sounded from us to all others. And from that our task on earth as those under God remains the same. Just thinking, and must end now....

is socialism bad?

In a facebook conversation yesterday, my hope for a bill to pass to provide affordable health care for everyone, including the "public option" was met with a good reply which included a desire to avoid socialism. I don't think the person was telling me that I was for out and out socialism, but that what I support is socialism.

Socialism is defined as "any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods" (Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary). What is considered socialism's alternative, capitalism, is defined as "an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market" (Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary).

What drives me as much as anything in trying to answer the question of the post is my view of humanity theologically, based on Scripture. Original sin, the simple belief that in some way from the time of "Adam", the entire human race is infected with sin, so that we are all sinners, plays a major part in how I view the world, and what will work in the world. There cannot be a utopia until Jesus returns and the kingdom of God in him takes over all things.

This makes me wary of any system that is thought to be the answer in and of itself, unless that system incorporates checks against inevitable abuse by sinful humans.

At this point I know I need to study and think more. But I would go for something of both elements to be worked out in society. We must remember too that what might work well in one society or culture, may not in another. There at least will be some differences. What makes America stand out, and in many ways for good I think, is its entrepreneurship. Many think that capitalism and free enterprise played out in entrepreneurship would result in the greatest good for everyone by the "trickle-down economic" effect. Or they may think that capitalism affords the most opportunity for others to take responsibility and provide for themselves and their families, being responsible and contributing members of society. Entrepreneurs end up providing jobs for others, and much more money is gathered by their work than in some collective society.

I'm running out of time and space, but I want with others to think through more on this. I don't think the Bible teaches economic theory as in one being better than another. I tend to think that while there will be some things in common across the board in all cultures, still there will be differences according to the cultures and peoples and their gifts and manner of living. Freedom to live and work in a responsible, creative way should be one overriding factor. And another ought to be "loving one's neighbor as one's self."

So is socialism bad? In its connotations earned through Marxism, it indeed can be bad, a cover-up for evil. But capitalism can be as well, as we've seen from the recent crime and recklessness in the American private sector.

What thoughts would you like to share from this sketch?

Ed Dobson's journey in following Jesus

I love Ed Dobson. Deb and I, both. He was our pastor at Calvary Church (of which he is again a part) when we lived on that side of town. As you may know he has been stricken with ALS. It's the slow moving kind, and he continues to be active in sharing his faith and his gift in the community and beyond. Though at the advice of his doctors he stepped down from being a pastor.

Last evening he was at Baker Book House here in Grand Rapids. Quite a crowd of young and old alike; it was wonderful. He shared about how he came to seek to live a year like Jesus did, living like a Jew, and trying to obey Jesus' commands and follow his example, while being kosher. And sharing about his new book on this as well, The Year of Living Like Jesus. I have my copy and look forward to finishing it soon.

I found it edifying in being both convicting as well as encouraging in what God can do as we seek to be true followers of Jesus in this world. As you may well know Dobson voted for Obama and said he would do the same again, though he acknowledges that he may well be wrong. But he did so on the basis of which candidate of any party he believed comes closest to what Jesus taught. He explains this in a chapter in his book, and his view on abortion and how he wrestled through it. He said seeking to follow Jesus for a year leveled remaining arrogance he had, so that he doesn't think that he is necessarily right on decisions such as his vote. I found his thoughts on politics and the kingdom of God quite compatible with my largely Anabaptist theological understanding.

Christians on the "right" trashed him, telling him they'd never listen to him preach again, or believe anything he says. The ones Ed found it easy to live with were the needy sinners (of course we're all needy sinners) whom he found in bars and drank beer with, and continues to do so as he shares with them his faith and seeks to follow Jesus. Though after the year he dropped the kosher and Jewish laws. As you can well see, he still has his beard, trimmed once a year.

I look forward to learning more, and being impacted for my journey with others in following Jesus.

(I am downloading a video from my camera from last evening so you can hear him, but finally lost patience waiting, and may post it later.

Couldn't post it for whatever reason, so posted the Zondervan video from YouTube instead.)

remembering Ted Kennedy

My blogger friend, Allan Bevere, who is a bit to the right of me politically has an apt post on Ted Kennedy, well worth the read (not a long read, either). And another blogger friend, Andrew E. Larsen calls our attention to this report from NPR on Kennedy's work for civil rights.

I find it appalling when the only things Christians might be able to express about such a man are winks, laughs and words which are demeaning. I just don't fit into such a conversation, except to point to what is good about that person, or more likely just be silent, and hang my head, maybe saying a few words that might be appropriate.

Ted Kennedy most certainly had his flaws, but it's good to hear that in his latter days he sought to live differently with the help of his wife. I hope it was a true Christian faith which underlied that, as well. I certainly don't agree with his position on abortion. The goal in Washington D.C. should be to be rid of them altogether, by a good number of policies, some to help the pregnant women, so that they won't revert to "back-alley abortions."

But Kennedy's advocacy for the poor and minorities, and his work to bring good health care to all are to be applauded, even if we don't fully agree with him on how he wanted to accomplish those ends. And he sought to be a friend to those who were his political opponents, the way it used to be, and should be.

We in Jesus should honor such people and point out the good. Without burying our head in the sand as to what we strongly disagree with.

What might you like to add to this?

politics: what to do

I have a certain ambivalence when it comes to politics. On the one hand I think we Christians should be impacting the world as salt and light, and that impact will certainly include the political sphere. On the other hand I'm afraid we end up losing our identity as salt and light, too easily in the political sphere. Over and over again we see this I believe, both with the Religious Right, and with those who want to espouse another vision too often in step with the other extreme. Nor am I saying there's some right middle.

Life is messy, and none of us are going to negotiate it perfectly at any turn. Mistakes will be made. Better to make some mistakes in seeking to live out our faith as the new Israel in this world, rather than washing our hands of it, which is not in keeping with the call we have in Christ.

Discernment is needed all the way around. To evaluate what we're doing as God's people, what needs to be corrected, and where to go from here. Of course we won't all agree. We know in part in this life and part of that is involves not only differences of perspective, but differences in undertanding. And we need to impact all sides. So we need to always have humility.

Yet there needs to be a clear vision from our differing theological perspectives on just what we as God's people should be doing in bringing the gospel both to individuals and to the world. It is a gospel that has ramifications well beyond personal conversion, though it must start there.

Just some preliminary, seed thoughts on this. What do you think?

idolatry

I've been thinking about idolatry and how that plays out in the lives even of Christians. John Calvin wrote about the propensity of all humans to hold on to idols in the heart (from Ezekiel).

This can be anything other than God. For example I wonder how easily the Republican Party (or Democratic Party) can become an idol. Or an ideology of what it ought to be. My country America, as great as it is, can surely become an idol, either rivaling or being too closely linked somehow in one's mind, to the kingdom of God.

How about one's ideal of what life ought to be? Now I tread softly and hopefully carefully here. Because we are dust and frail, and God knows that. And God says certain things are not good, for example it's not good for the man (or woman) to be alone. The answer there was the bond of marriage. But many who would like to be married, are not. And in the case of those who are married, they can so fawn over each other (fawing itself is good, by the way- one example) that they can end up making their marriage partner and marriage an idol. Remember, anything at all other than God, can become an idol.

The paradox is that as we learn to really put God first then the gifts of God can become more precious to us than ever. But when we put those gifts first, they eventually dry up, wither and die.

Much more to say on this. What would you like to add here?

let's be civil

I recently read an outstanding book, The Case for Civility: And Why Our Future Depends on It, by Os Guinness, the first (and only) book I've read from him. I borrowed it from the library, but I'm convinced I need to get my own copy and keep working on it.

Guinness is Irish and has lived in the States for some time now. So his view is from Europe, so that he sees more clearly than most of us here, the value and worth of America, especially because of the First Amendment.

This is a brief description of something of my understanding of the book in a nutshell. The genius of America which makes it stand apart (and if you know me, you'll know that I've spoken of myself as a European because of issues like health care, but this book has given me a needed perspective) is its insistence, now lived out after decades initially of not doing well that way, but insisting on the distinction between church and state, or in the terms of the founders, religion and the state.

The Secular Left is profoundly in error to think that Jefferson did not want religion to influence the state. What the founders did not want was a state church. What they did want was freedom for people to be completely themselves in the public square. For people and groups to bring their influence to bear, and thus have a vigorous, but civil exchange with all others.

The root of this idea is in a Judeao-Christian ethic which sees limits in what any nation can be. No theocracies, no utopias. But places where God's word has freedom to be proclaimed and lived out before others. Where people can live in faiths of any kind, or in no faith at all. As God's word tells us, we're to let the wheat and tares grow together, and live out what we are in Jesus, as the salt of the earth, and the light of the world.

This goes against the Religious Right who want a "Sacred Public Square", Christian only. And it goes against the Secular Left who want a "Naked Public Square", in other words people neutered and muted, not being able to carry into public what may be most essential to them.

Of course this requires civility both in the sense of how we conduct ourselves, as well as what we actually can do in the public square, in the realms of government and in other voluntary societies. While giving freedom for people to live out fully their beliefs, of course within certain limits (no child sacrifice as in some olden religions, etc.).

And because of this freedom, it has made America for all its many ills (and there are many, and always have been) flourish and be a bastion of freedom and hope for many all over the world. We need to see the good here, and learn to value it. But this book gets to the heart of that goodness and what might be slipping through the cracks, if we're not careful. I would add to this, for the faults of our President, Barack Obama, I do think he exemplifies well what Guinness is seeking to get at in this book. A most marvellous read, and one I'd highly recommend. My thoughts on this book, so read it for yourself to see what he is saying. See also the Willamsburg Charter which Guinness helped formulate.

What would you like to add here?

violence

I hold to a Christian pacifist position, that is that followers of Jesus are to be people who follow in the steps of Jesus who taught us to love our enemies, and when hit on one cheek to turn the other.

Jim Elliot is often touted by Christians as a great example, but it is little known that he embraced a Christian pacifist stance, and was going to file as a "conscientious objector," if a draft was put in place.

I have been well reminded lately that the power we have as Christians is neither in the ballot box nor by the sword, but by the word of God. Not to say we don't vote, or that many Christians don't take up "the sword" as police officers, or in the military, though I don't accept the latter option. But to say that we are to be people who live out and speak the word of God, the revelation of God that is in Jesus.

This is a word that speaks against the ways of this world, the way of violence, and instead is about taking the way of the cross. As Christians, regardless of where we stand in what ways Christians can participate in society, and specifically in the state, we ought to be known as people who are followers of the Way, in the sense of being known as working for peace in terms of righteousness, which can only be realized through the message of Jesus- the gospel: Jesus' redemptive work for us, in his life, death and resurrection which we will soon remember and celebrate.

How this is lived out can be misunderstood. Some think it means we have to let ourselves be rugs for others to walk on. But that is a misreading of Scripture, and misunderstanding of what Jesus brought and continues to bring through the Spirit in the church. We must be bold, but with a boldness that is of God's Spirit, not of the flesh; not of this world, but of the kingdom of God come in Jesus.

Just a few thoughts on this. A subject I've blogged about before, but has been in my mind some lately. What would you like to add to this? What objections might you raise to what I'm saying here?

evil

The more I live and the more I read the more shaken I can become. I'm not sure about the latest a very good brother gave me, but it shakes me to the core. Evil. It is very present with us. This is why Jesus prayed for his disciples (and for us, by implication), that God would keep/protect them from the evil one. And why he taught us to pray, "Deliver us from evil/ the evil one."

What guise does evil take up? Good. It masks itself, and even thinks of itself quite often as good. Though surely we know better. This is in big part why I'm very opposed to putting so much confidence in any political leader, or any leader for that matter. I hear "black and white" (not racial, but used in terms of right and wrong) talk, and how one party is right and the other is wrong. I hear (though try to avoid and cannot stomach) talk radio's diatribe against this person or that person, and thinking their person or party is right, or in line with the truth. But we little know the evil that can pervade us all. And it is even more difficult to tell, and therefore insidious when it is done in the name of what is good and right.

This thinking is in terms of reality, and can help us live in a more helpful way. For example I disagree profoundly with President Obama on the abortion issue, not believing that a woman's right to choose includes aborting her unborn. But I also see Obama as good in other ways, and I see life for humans as concerning womb to tomb (thanks, the Wingnut for that good phrase). So while I won't give my wholehearted support to Obama and the direction he has gone, I do support him in some important ways. And, regardless I am called to pray for him and others (including those leaders who I find less affinity with).

Evil is present with us. If we look long enough into the mirror, we'll see it. Let's not imagine it's about us and them, as we were told as a nation, wrongfully in the past. It can hit and infect all of us. And we're only a moment away from falling prey to it, even if only in our thoughts (which is where it ordinarily starts).

What would you like to add about this? Another difficult, unpleasant, yet painfully real subject.

quote of the week: Martin Luther King, Jr. on the responsibility of the church to the state

The church...is not the master or servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state, and never its tool.

Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength to Love, quoted by Philip Yancey, What's So Amazing About Grace?, 238

a powerful thought

Recently over at RBC Ministries, Mart DeHaan shared with us his thoughts and conviction in what we as God's people in Jesus should do during these times. This post and this post from his excellent blog are both helpful to us in sorting through difficult issues today. Mart doesn't pretend to have it all down, and these are over matters in which we Christians are sharply divided on, politically. I'm thinking here of Christians who agree for example, that abortion is the taking of human life, but are not in agreement on how to address the issue.

I quote from the first post I link above:

Maybe we need to return to the practice of the early church. In a society where abortion and infanticide were common, followers of Christ developed a reputation for not aborting their own children, and even for saving from the garbage other people’s children who were left to die.

I'm inclined to agree with Mart. What better good can we do for our country and for the world than simply living out a lifestyle that is in marked contrast to the "culture of death" surrounding us, to a culture sadly warped and crooked. In Jesus we need to be those who have and are experiencing God's salvation from this to a different way of life. They need to see a marked difference in our lives. This will make our words matter far more. And this will help us fulfill our true calling and vocation in this world as the salt and light in Jesus which we are.

I agree with Mart that we need Christians on both sides of the aisle in politics here in the U.S. And I believe Christians in both major parties as well as in other places. So I'm not speaking of disengagement from the political process. Not at all. But I'm referring to what we should be noted for. In how we live and what we do during these times.

What would you like to add on this?

on Inauguration Day

Today, Barack Obama is going to be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America. This occasion holds special significance because this is our first African-American president. This shows how far this nation has come, not that we don't have a good ways to go, but we've come a long ways at this point in race relations and against racism.

I have been quite impressed with Barack Obama. He has a gift of intellect, but along with that seems to be humble. He professes faith in Jesus, having spoken of a conversion experience he had in the past. He is a realist, influenced by the theology of Reinhold Niebuhr. That can help set him in good stead as President of the U.S.

I don't agree with him on abortion. Though even there I along with other Christians have high hopes that he will help the effort, hopefully in bipartisan fashion, toward the goal of reducing abortions 95% in the next 10 years, called the 95/10 Initiative. At least to his credit he has talked in that direction, not just sitting on a possible overturning of Roe v Wade, which in itself may not reduce the number of abortions in our country at all, or minimally.

I do find Obama good on many issues, such as wanting to help all Americans and people in this country have affordable health care, engaging in more worldwide diplomacy, and hopefully at this point finding a balance between getting the nation back on its feet financially (particularly an acute problem here in Michigan), while helping us adjust for the long term in a fiscally more responsible era, both in government and as individuals and families.

As Christians we are told to pray for our leaders. We little realize what a difference this can make, and often discount it, ending up disengaged from it. I speak here from sad experience. What if a number of us would covenant between ourselves and God that by grace we will at least seek to do better, and pray for President Obama and other leaders on a regular basis? And not let up when things are tough or go bad.

He is to be sworn in at noon today, EST. I look forward to it, even with bated breath, a moment I hope to always remember as a special day. A special day for many and for us all, one that transcends partisanship, not just being about politics, but about being human (thanks, Paul B., at work, as we applied that to MLK, Jr. yesterday, but the application is good for this, as well.)

What would you like to add to this?

Ed Dobson on Good Morning America

Ed Dobson is a person I and many others love. He used to be our pastor at Calvary Church when we lived on that side of the city. He has since been stricken with a rare form of ALS, which I had heard is slower moving. I don't know really anything about it, so am not sure what his prognosis is.

As you'll see in the link above, if you care to, his story is an interesting one. And how that played out in 2008. I mentioned this story right after Christmas.

And here is the link I want to call your attention to today, from an interview he recently had on "Good Morning America." It's about trying to live like Jesus did, literally, for a year. Interesting. And I think to spend some significant time steeped in the gospels would be helpful to us all.

a story that speaks well

Here is a story which to me speaks well. I am acquainted with Ed Dobson, as he was our pastor when we lived on that side of the city and attended Calvary Church. (Rob Bell was a pastor at this church before he became the main pastor in starting Mars Hill Bible Church.) I've always much appreciated Pastor Ed and the passion he and Calvary has displayed in following the Lord, even when it could involve misunderstanding and criticism, as in their working relationship with the gay community in Grand Rapids, while not at all okaying that lifestyle. A number of gays have come to Christ through that church, one I met who was suffering from AIDS.

I will cease saying more, because I think this story is good for all of us to read.

a new president

Scot McKnight has posted a prayer for us for President-Elect of the United States, Barack Obama, and we in Jesus are called to pray for him and others. I liked Obama's call in his acceptance speech, for responsibility to be taken on the part of all. Obama has been gifted with some real strengths. Two chief influencers in his thinking are Abraham Lincoln and Reinhold Neibuhr. Their thinking is reflected in his thinking, and that's overall very good. And of course Obama is an astute and gifted thinker.

A major strength that comes from Neibuhr's influence on him, is a realism that sees trouble in this world as inevitable, as well as no "pie in the sky" or utopia possible here. This is not to say that in my belief, God's kingdom in Jesus can't make inroads even into governments, as well as changing people in conversion to Christ. It can and has. But trouble will always follow. And this will be so until Jesus returns and God's kingdom comes and God's will is done on earth, just as it is done in heaven, when heaven and earth become one.

For any of us who may have been opposed to Obama, let's grow in being people of prayer for him, as God calls us to be. As Obama said, he won't make everyone happy with all of his policies, and some of his acts will not get off the ground, while others will fail. There is plenty of hope for him, when I listen to him. I must say I have liked him for some time (true also of my wife, Deb). We really believe he does care about people, including those of us who don't see eye to eye with him on abortion (though there is good in his thoughts on that, as well). And it is in itself wonderful, to have an African-American as President.

So let's be in prayer, and let's take responsibility ourselves, rather than thinking so many things are up to the government, all echoes of Obama's acceptance speech last night, but more importantly, what God calls us to in Jesus.

What would you like to add to this?

quote of the week - Tom Wright to Christians on the US election

Which of the candidates is more likely to be open to the challenge (which it is up to the churches to pose) to enable this quasi-empire to order its affairs, and those of the rest of the world which comes under its influence, power and sometimes actual authority, in a way which honours God the creator and is aware that power itself is redefined, and all human power called to account, by the loving and generous nature of this God as redefined in and around Jesus of Nazareth?

N.T. Wright on the question of which of the two, McCain or Obama, we Christians in the United States should/might vote for on November 4. The rest of his words (not long) here.

abortion and voting

Scot McKnight and Mart DeHaan had recent helpful postings on abortion and politics, respectively (here's Scot's new post on this, today). I am wrestling over the issue of how to vote in the general presidential election. I am rather decided, yet trying to remain open. I'm not a registered Independent in Michigan for no reason.

This is a difficult issue, because I’m troubled that for many Christians all other considerations have to be cast aside in considering who to vote for- that this one issue, as weighty as it is, trumps all else, and in such a way that is constricted to overturning Roe v Wade. This is for me a weighty matter on the scale of consideration, but not the only matter.

We do see through a glass darkly here. We need much humility in the way we view our politics, as well as that of others.

Biblically I think it’s pretty clear for me. I don’t hesitate to affirm life beginning at conception. Abortion has been the paramount evil to me for years, right or wrong.

But I don’t know how we can read the same Book, without being deeply troubled over other issues as well. For me to think the Republican Party is pro-life is unthinkable. How can we say “pro-life” is about abortion only? From my perspective neither major party here really has shown either in its platform/policy and practice that it is really pro-life. Actually there are good measures passed by the influence of both parties, as well as sins of omission and sins of commission.

We also need to appreciate the different takes we have towards solving the common concerns, and we need to appreciate the different traditions within Christian orthodoxy from which we view them. My paradigm which is to a significant extent Anabaptist will cause me to look at issues differently than another Christian whose faith is also in Jesus, yet sees through another theological paradigm. Sometimes we therefore do disagree, or we don't see eye to eye on how to handle the problem. Appreciating our different takes so that we can hash them out together, can be beneficial. We can learn from each other. Then I can bless how you vote, even if I don’t vote the same come November 4.

Much more to say and do on all this, and not merely to vote for someone who holds the promise of appointing judges who may (or may not) vote to overturn Roe v Wade.

I'll probably post some more on politics before election day here in the United States. But I probably won't disclose who I end up voting for, as this can be divisive in ways that are not helpful.

What would you like to add to these scattered thoughts?

quote for the week - Philip Yancey on grace from the church

...I believe that dispensing God's grace is the Christian's main contribution. As Gordon MacDonald said, the world can do anything the church can do except one thing: it cannot show grace. In my opinion, Christians are not doing a very good job of dispensing grace to the world, and we stumble especially in this field of faith and politics.

What's So Amazing About Grace? by Philip Yancey, p. 242