Just scanned the comments from yesterday. Goodness. It’s a reminder to me that lots of Christians are voting for McCain and lots of Christians are voting for Obama. Presumably both groups think they’re doing so because of what they believe is right.
Perhaps we gain ground when we learn to hold strongly to our convictions without saying, “If you’re a real Christian you have to vote for —– because of the issue of ——-.” (Fill in the blank with “abortion” or “war” or “poverty” or whatever.)
Some avid Christ-followers will vote for McCain; some will vote for Obama; and others are moving away from politics altogether.
The textbook Randy Harris and I are using for our freshman Bible classes this year is Shane Claiborne’s Jesus for President: Politics for Ordinary Radicals
Just this about Sarah Palin: As the father of a child who was mentally handicapped, I’m thankful that she — like most Christ-followers would — chose not to discriminate based on the presence of an extra chromosome. I also know from our experience that she’ll have her hands full with a special needs baby. I hope the people who are scheduling her campaign appearances will remember that she has five children — one of whom is about to have a baby and one of whom is a baby with special needs.
That’s not to say it can’t be done! And no — by no means does this even begin to disqualify her for the job. I just hope the people in charge of her schedule will remember that. The example of her refusing to jet around constantly will speak much more loudly than lots of campaign speeches.
My first response to her (and to Joe Biden and John McCain and Barack Obama) is prayer. May God bless them and prepare them.
And way beyond that, may he continue to shape us into the people who live out the vision of the Sermon on the Mount. We — those who follow Jesus of all nations and languages — are the light of the world. Our ultimate hope isn’t in the strength or supremacy of this or any other country. Our hope is in Jesus and the counter-cultural movement that he launched.
I agree, Mike. I have been very impressed with Sarah Palin and her commitment to her family.
Amen. It would be great if we (the church) could get our act together to BE the revolutionary force of Jesus on the other 1459 days of the election cycle.
I just finished Jesus For President — definitely will be a good, challenging read for that Bible class.
It is so important to not get caught up with the drama that comes with an election. Stick to your core beliefs and remember that God is watching the left and the right. He sees the hypocrisy of both sides. And He sees the good.
Amen, Amen, A-FREAKIN’-MEN.
In my freshman Bible class many years ago we used —the Bible. Such a radical approach I guess.
Chris, go home and repent. Your insults are not appreciated by those of us who know Mike to be a faithful minister of God’s word in the scriptures.
Thanks for the controversy and have a great weekend!
YES. Well-said.
What if the two campaign slogans were “Yes He Can!” and “Jesus First”? How would that change the process and emphasis?
Wish I was back in Freshman Bible with you, Mike. I could definitely mull over the life-altering challenges presented in JFP for a whole semester.
And Chris — What Jeff W said. Maybe you shouldn’t read this blog anymore. You rarely contribute to the conversation with grace.
I’m sorry, Chris. Did you think I mean that we’re using Claiborne’s book INSTEAD of the Bible? I assumed people would know that. When I took Neale Pryor’s wonderful survey of the New Testament class my freshman year at Harding, we used a book by Merrill Tenney that still sits proudly in my library.
Claiborne’s book is background reading. It introduces the students (many of whom have no Bible background) to the Old Testament; and it challenges them to think about radical discipleship.
But our central text is the four gospels.
Chris,
I don’t usually see eye to eye with many on here but that was unnecessary. Good grief, every college Bible class uses a textbook in addition to the Bible. Jimmy Allen wrote the textbook for his Romans class!
I too recall Neale Pryors admonition at the beginning of class-”everyone have their Tenney with them”?
Mike,
Great post! Maybe when we can all get to the point that we truly want Jesus as president, then we can see that whoever ends up as president of the U.S. is really not that important. As to the Chris comment, quit wasting your time. It was a juvenile comment and everyone with any sense will see it just for that.
I hope the people who are scheduling her campaign appearances will remember that she has five children — one of whom is about to have a baby and one of whom is a baby with special needs.
She also has a husband. Or are only mothers allowed to parent?
Lisa,
Mike is hardly a dark ages patriarchal enthusiast — of course the husband has duties to the children as well. He isn’t currently running for VP, though, that I’m aware of. I would think that the same desire would be expressed toward any candidate facing similar challenges.
But would Mr. Palin merit the same “concern” if HE were the candidate? I would bet not. Mr. Obama has two young daughters — no one questions his scheduling.
I’m confident that Mr. Palin is just as competent to take care of the Palin children as Michelle Obama is of taking care of her.
He would from me. And does, actually. I worry quite a bit that the relative youth of the candidates equates to a relative youth in their children. And kids just don’t have the same understanding when Christmas or birthdays or graduations are missed due to world instability.
I just happen to know that it wasn’t his intent to set another standard altogether for Gov. Palin than for Sen. Obama or for Sen’s McCain or Biden.
As a matter of fact I had Neale Pryor also, New Testament Survey, I think the book was.
yes it would apply to both. As I said, a special needs child calls for all hands on deck!! I like Sarah Palin. She strikes me as a great mom.
I think there is some undue focus on the issue of Palin being a woman. The more significant demographic is her family situation. People keep saying “I bet no one would be asking these questions if she were a man”. I can’t remember any Presidential or VP candidate ever bringing an infant into an election. I’m not saying she’s wrong. But I do worry about it. And I would worry about it if Obama or McCain were in the same situation. I can’t imagine the turmoil they must be in emotionally right now. Some pretty life altering things have happened in that family in the last 6 months. It would be different if there had been a runup to a campaign and they had planned their lives around it. Regardless of who you’re voting for and whether they’re a woman or not, I think we should be praying for this family.
I am sure the Palin’s covet all prayers. I am also sure they did their due diligence in planning before accepting the veep offer.
C. - I don’t doubt her commitment to family. That isn’t what my blog is about. It’s about those who will be pressuring her. I hope that THEY will recognize — as she does! — the challenges the parent of a four-month-old special needs child faces.
I made some really good choices when our daughter was an infant. And I made some choices I regret (and have apologized to Diane for) — times that I traveled too much.
If you haven’t had a special-needs child, you may not realize how very different and unique the challenges are. And oh my — it is SO worthwhile!
Mike- I don’t think Mrs. Palin is one to be easily pressured.
From experience, a four month old baby with down syndrome is a lot less challenging than a typical baby.
Mike, I love it in this blog that you behave toward others with “conversation always full of grace, seasoned with salt,” and that you encourage the church to pray for our government leaders. As believers, that is our first duty…actually could be a full time job!:-)
Your words are kinder than my feelings about vitriolic political arguments–Reps and Dems. I join your admonition that the body of Christ universal visibly demonstrate that our hope and our strength is in the Lord! May we not, however, give up praying for GOD’s good for the imperfect but richly blessed nation in which we live.
Thanks, Mike. My comment was more in response to Kyle stating his “worry”, which I’m sure is shared by many. Even though a special needs situation will have its occasional challenges that simply cannot be planned for, I believe the Palin’s show a consistency over the years of planning and organizing in lieu of spontaneous decisions. Through these examples, I have faith they covered everything required extensively before making this commitment.
Mike
thank you for offering sanity at a time like this. Claiborne’s book is going to be an incredible experience for your students and I am thankful that they get to process that with you and Randy.
I love the heart you have expressed here - one that feels drawn toward prayer for blessing and preparation for all involved in the political season that is already in full swing.
KyleL “I can’t remember any Presidential or VP candidate ever bringing an infant into an election.”
Well, dont know if this counts or not, but JFK brought a to-be-born infant into the White House.
Kathy,
That’s absolutely right. I had it in mind that their children were a few years older than they were. I wasn’t around then so I don’t remember. Does anyone here have any memory of questions being asked about the potential negative effects on the Kennedy children?
That being said, I don’t think it is sexist to assume that having a mother unavailable or absent from her children for long periods of time isn’t different from a father being absent. I’m no psychologist but it seems the mother-infant relationship is different from the father-infant relationship. In any event, I am an advocate of any of the candidates to do whatever is needed to meet the needs of their family. I think we just have to assume that they all will have it covered no matter what their situation is.
Mike,
I liked your comment about Governor Palin not discriminating against her son with an extra chromosone. Thanks!
Mike
Thank you for being sane!
And truly I too think we should all be praying for all four candidates and their families. This race is hard on these people,their families, and their friends. They must all four feel called to serve on some level and love their country very much to be willing to go through this. For that they all four have my gratitude, even if only two get my vote.
Amen!
Thanks, Mike, for a voice of sanity in this election year.
Thank, Mike, for your salient reminder in this post. I also just read this most amazing article by Robert Novak, a man I have often loved to disagree with:’How a tumor is changing my life’:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/05/AR2008090503169.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
Agreeing and disagreeing is never important in the grand scheme of life. Loving and caring for one another remains our greatest challenge.
I think promising to end abortion is a political act.
It is a secular ploy to get Christians to vote a certain way.
I think it is so sad that so many comments were talking about American Politics but only 3 mentioned anything about the slaves in Ghiana.
Should it shock up that politicians would us prayer as a political stunt?
You think how many times a certain party has had the chance, real chance to change abortion and haven’t.
Guilting people into voting a certain way isn’t going to work in the 21st century.
God help us to have a concern about the sufferings of our brothers and sisters. Open our eyes to the suffering in America.
Mike,
Yes, prayer for the candidates and their families is right and proper.
And it is right and proper that we be most concerned about our spiritual walk.
I intend to add to that prayer list–prayer for our country and each citizen, prayer that voters will use their brain not their emotions when going to the polls [i.e. look for substance from the candidates rather than voting for flowery, empty speeches], prayer for the whole world.
If voters use only their emotions for voting–we will have strong need for committment to God and our Savior Jesus Christ. The outcome of this election is most important.
preach it preacherman!
I am an ornery person, but I think it’s shameful that the two major political parties have come up with a candidate for president and a candidate for vice president with no more experience in political leadership than I have with learning Turkish or managing beehives.
Yes, prayer is definitely called for. We need the experience and wisdom of our King in governing us.
so encouraging to see JFP in the curriculum. what a challenging read. really exposed the political language of the gospels (and entire biblical narrative) for me. that’s something I didn’t see after 27 years of Chris’s sola scriptura approach.