Which Convention would Jesus attend?

Last week’s Republican Convention produced little surge for Romney. The Democratic one in Charlotte, NC this week will likely fare no better. People are not feeling very hopeful. Regardless of what party takes office in November, can there, realistically, be any significant change? U. S. foreign policy will be largely unaffected, healthcare costs will grow, Social Security and Medicare will move closer to default, the national debt will swell, and political gridlock will continue.

I am not  being pessismistic, but biblical, when I say there will be increasing lawlessness, confusion, and chaos before Christ returns (2 Thess. 2). The contentious conventions are just part of that!  Aren't you glad Jesus said: “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36)?

I am not suggesting we disengage from the political process, but we should abstain from political conflict.  After all, Christ called us to build the kingdom of God, defined as righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). I didn't see much of that in Tampa, and don't expect to see it in Charlotte this week either. Wouldn't it be fantastic to go to a convention where everyone is “seeking first the kingdom of God” (Matt. 6:33)?

If you can’t say something nice…

Did your mother used to tell you “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all”? I think our U.S. Senators, Congressmen, and politicians must not have been listening to their mothers.

As stirring as the emotions sometimes are when involved in the "rightness" of a political cause, those passions need to be under the control of the Holy Spirit. In Titus 3:2, Paul commands us "to malign no one," and refers to cursing, slandering, and treating with contempt. The Greek term rendered "malign" is the one from which we derive the English word blasphemy. If you watch CNN or Fox, or MSNBC; if you listen to Rush or Shawn, Mark Levine, Michael Savage or Michael Reagan, you will hear lots of maligning and scorning of politicians and other public figures. Believers are warned not to enter in to such things. Not only does it show contempt for God’s authority, but is inconsistent with our new nature in Christ.

We are already well into a season of grave electoral choices. And you may already have entered into some heated political discussions. And it’s difficult in the midst of the fray to maintain a spirit of holiness. But whether you are a Republican, Democrat, Independent, or somewhere in between, let us remember we are to “malign no one, to be un-contentious, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.”

Should Satan be a Campaign Issue?

I’m going to depart from my usual spiritually-focused message to political commentary for your weekend reading pleasure. If you don’t care to hear my opinion, hit that “delete” button—now!

In 2008, Rick Santorum warned, “Satan has his sights on the United States of America and has been attacking the great institutions of America, using those great vices of pride, vanity and sensuality as the root to attack all of the strong plants that have so deeply rooted in the American tradition.” Now, as he surges to lead the Republican pack of nominee-seekers, his words have come under attack.

Should he be talking about Satan?  Well, according to a 2007 Gallop poll, 70% of Americans agree that there is some kind of satanic reality. So the issue goes beyond belief in Satan: his words have elevated the culture war to spiritual warfare. Talking about the seduction of "pride, vanity, and sensuality" makes him sound more like a preacher than a politician.

The irony is that while most Christians have been concerned about Romney’s Mormon beliefs, Franklin Graham and other evangelical spokespersons have assured us it would be OK to vote for a Mormon because we are not voting for America’s “pastor” but for America’s “president.” But if Romney began injecting his religious beliefs into his speeches, you can be sure, he’d be out the door faster than you can say “LDS.” What Santorum is saying isn’t wrong. But it may be political suicide. “People who aren't spiritual can't receive these truths from God's Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them…” (1 Cor. 2:14)