Blurring the Lines
I have purposed with this blog to keep the posts focused primarily on matters theological, with a sprinkling of cultural comment and a deliberate avoidance of political discussion. Lest you conclude this is because I am dispassionate with regard to politics, understand that I do have firmly settled convictions on a great many political issues. That said, I find those convictions to be of little consequence when the world is viewed through the lens of Scripture. God’s purposes will not be thwarted. His will shall be accomplished in every circumstance. No man shall stand on the stump and move or impede the hand of the Creator of all things.
Deliberate avoidance or not, I wanted to point you to this column by Pat Buchanan. The issue he addresses cuts across any perceived divide between presidential politics and religion. I always appreciate the perspective of history that Pat brings to bear in his columns - it is too often lacking in our national discourse.
I, too, have historically like the views that Pat Buchanan has brought to the table. However, I respectfully disagree with part of his recent article.
I agree with his point that we need to stand up for truth in all situations, and we need to be living what we preach. But, I listened to both Obama’s speech, and Dobson’s radio show, and found Dobson to be the one in error.
Obama was not saying we cannot stand for what we believe; rather, he was saying that if we want our beliefs to impact our culture, we have to find a way to find common ground with culture. A good example of this is in China. We can say that China is bad and should change their human rights record - in which case we get nowhere. Or, we can come alongside them and say that we want to help their people, in which case they will let us in to do a lot of good. Ultimately, we find ways to accomplish God’s purposes that will cause the least amount of dissension among non-believers. That in no way means that we have to water down the message or shy away from truth.
Take my children, for example. If they misbehave, I can yell at them about how disappointed I am with them, and then send them to their room. Or, I can sit down and talk about why what they did is wrong and why I want better for them and how their actions hurt others and present a danger to themselves. Then, I still send them to their room. Which is more effective? Have I watered down my parenting responsibility because I was very patient and loving with them?
To me, Obama was saying that we have to find ways to make outr points palatable to culture. Essentially, speak to them in ways they will care. In no way does that mean we stop believing or water down what we believe. But, there is more than one way to accomplish God’s purposes, and it doesn’t always have to be with yelling and in your face challenges to culture. Rather, let’s learn to be persuasive. Remember, God’s truth is the truth. It will always be resisted in parts by the world. But, there are many aspects of truth that will be accepted by the world if we approach it correctly.
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