Politics
Obama, Our (Would Be) Savior
Category: Politics
A few observations about Obama's acceptance speech. It would seem that the "Obama as Messiah" rhetoric has had some success because this was certainly not of the same arrogant, I-will-redirect-the-hurricanes tone as his previous speeches. However, he still made some lofty promises, all based on the same troubling foundation: Like all Democrats, Obama believes that the State is our god, savior, and hope.
Examples—He complained that our kids deserve a much better education than they are currently getting. Who is going to provide it? The government. Likewise, anyone who serves the community deserves a good college education. Who will provide it? The government. Health care coverage is too low and premiums are too high? Who will provide health care for everyone? The government. Employees deserve paid sick days and paid "family leave." Who will make this happen? The government. Women should be earning the same as men. Who will end this disgrace? Of course, the government. (For an interesting counter-perspective on the last point, written by a woman no less, read this.)
After all of these heroic vows, he made the comment, "I'll pay for every dime." Now, many Americans applaud this kind of nurture and care, and jump for joy when he says he'll pick up the tab. But here's the thing, see. When he says he'll pay for all of these blessings, he means the American people will pay for them. It's very simple. We send our money to the king and he will take care of all of our problems. Just where is he going to get the money to pay the salaries of better teachers and the college tuition of students who pick up trash in the neighborhood? From my paycheck and yours. How is he going to pay for health care for every American? By taking our money. You get to pay your health insurance fees and someone else's. Obama gets the credit.
A little of "Obama Christ" came out when he pledged to end our dependence on foreign oil in ten years. How? By investing $150 billion in "renewal power." Where is he going to get that kind of cash? From taxation, of course. But we won't mind. He is, after all, our god, our savior, and our hope.
I know this is Politics 101, but I am continually amazed at how many Americans do not understand the basic differences between liberals and conservatives. And more importantly, many Christians want to relegate this to "secular politics," and insist that it's not a spiritual matter. But consider this. All authority has been given to Jesus Christ. He has delegated the responsibility to commend good and punish evil to the civil magistrate. That's where its authority ends. For the magistrate to present itself as the hope and security of its people, and to control and regulate education, wages, oil prices, health care, and (for crying out loud!) sick days, is to take to itself responsibility that its ruler has not granted. Imagine me walking into Intel headquarters and demanding they pay all of their employees at least $20/hour, that anyone who earns more than $300,000 annually must give me half, that Intel must pay all of its female employees the same as they pay men, and that they have to pay anyone who works more than 40 hours/week an additional 50% for overtime. The folks at Intel would have every right to say, "Hit the road, Jack! Those things are none of your business." But liberals want to give (have given) Uncle Sam the right to demand all those things and much, much more. But the real Messiah would say, "Hit the road, Sam! Those things are none of your business. You have pole-vaulted over the boundaries I have given you."
Even if Obama and friends did not promote (and pay for with our tax money) infanticide, we would have serious biblical reasons for rejecting them. They want to be regarded as our god, our savior, and our hope, which is nothing less than idolatry. That's a spiritual matter if ever there was one.
Good Morning, Mrs. President!
Category: Politics
Well, I finally got around to observing (via YouTube) the whirlwind that has set every speck of American political dust to spinning. It is easy to see why so many people are excited about Sarah Palin. To whatever extent we can accurately determine a person's character through the lens of a camera and a computer screen, she appears to be genuine, caring, intelligent, principled, and witty. Oh, and, there's the self-proclaimed pit-bullishness. I greatly enjoyed the way she spoke of her family and the way the family interacted during her speech (though, admittedly, we only got glimpses of them). Her husband seems like a real man, causing him to stand out in the midst of all the politicians. And the way the liberals and media are going after her proves that she must be doing something right.
If this report is accurate, there is still more to like. Notice the statement, "She is staunchly anti-abortion, opposing exceptions for rape and incest, and opposes gay marriage and spousal rights for gay couples." To oppose abortion in situations where rape and incest are involved shows that she understands why abortion should be opposed. If abortion is murder (and it is), then it is never justified. The person who makes exceptions for rape and incest must allow for the murder of the resulting child at any stage in his life. In other words, if mom decides she no longer wants to keep her five year-old son who was conceived by rape, she should have the legal right to kill him. To argue otherwise is to affirm that there is a difference between the child in the womb and the child in the room. The pro-life conviction hinges upon the belief that there is no difference. Killing a child is murder even if the conception was the result of a heinous act against the mother. A life is a life no matter how it got there; and the entire abortion debate is about life, not how a woman got pregnant.
I applaud Gov. Palin for understanding this and for holding the right position. Unfortunately, her running mate does not. McCain's voting record may be pro-life, but his willingness to consider a pro-choice running mate exposed that for him, abortion is not murder (this is also exposed by his making exceptions for rape and incest victims). Would he consider a man (or woman) for V.P. who affirmed a woman's right to kill her toddler? Of course not. But he did consider a man who affirmed a woman's right to kill her unborn child. For McCain, abortion may be bad thing, but it is not murder. And if it is not murder, then why should anyone oppose it?
At times during Palin's acceptance speech, I found myself wondering how she could give such a raving endorsement of McCain. But I can think of at least one reason—"Good morning, Mrs. President!"
There are still many issues to sort out. Obama's self-anointing makes it easy to denounce his Messiah-ship, but I think Christians need to be careful not to look at Palin as our deliverer, either. Also, her daughter's pregnancy is sin, not a mistake. I have not yet heard Palin (or Christian leaders, for that matter) speak of it as such, nor have they spoken of the need for confession and repentance. (Hopefully, that conversation is taking place in the Palin home.) Then there is the whole question of how a woman submits to her husband and maintains her role as mother while serving the country as president (vice, or otherwise). We must think through these things carefully before voting time comes.
From a purely political perspective, here's a little advice for McCain if he wants to win the election...just stay out of Palin's way.
Vote! and Relax!
Category: Politics
Tomorrow's election is monumental in the history of America. It will, no doubt, lead to a major overhaul of the losing party. It will likely be the determining factor for one or more future U.S. Supreme Court justices. It will cause a host of Americans to say, "Phew! We came that close to disaster." It will cause many to think that the world as we know it has come to a screeching halt.
And yet, there is a sovereign King ruling from heaven who is orchestrating it all according to His infinite wisdom and power. No matter who the victor, Jesus Christ is Lord of all. And that is the key point in all of this. A McCain win does not make America a secure and godly nation any more than an Obama presidency automatically sets in motion the countdown to apocalypse. America's hope is found in Christ, or it is not found at all.
So, fellow believers, vote! And relax! The government rests, ultimately, on the shoulders of the Son of the living God. He can bear it. And He must reign until all of His enemies have become a footstool for His feet. Therefore, our highest allegiance and our greatest dependence are directed toward one Man—the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!