I want to lay my cards on the table: I hate forwarded emails. First, I hate them as a matter of principle. Second, I hate them because they promote a sense of guilt if not passed on. This is a new version of a chain letter, and those are wrong for so many reasons. Third, forwarded emails often disseminate disinformation and utter falsities. They might take something remotely true and twist it and turn it into lies. Fourth, they are normally a form of angst from more radical or fundamentalist thought, and thus should always be read or not read with caution. Now that I've got that off my chest, allow to elaborate.
In the past 3 weeks, I have received 3 emails about a particular candidate running for a particular office. This candidate is caricatured as a Muslim, the anti-Christ, a raging liberal, anti-God, anti-American, and on and on. This candidate might be liberal, but most other claims are egregious offenses to the truth or at best gross overstatements of what is only minimally true. The type of lies spewed about this candidate are unfortunate. These emails promote fear-mongering, a lack of rational dialogue, and they sanctify ignorance. These are NOT Christian virtues. Sadly, though, most of them come in the guise of Christian ethics. Only 1 of the 3 emails sent to me had factually true information, and it didn't take too many liberties with this candidate's positions. The email represented this candidate almost fairly. I will say, however, that the email did caricature many liberal positions that are morally gray at best. And so a strict "Christian" denial of these liberal positions evidences more of a political ideology than a religious one.
My political ideology runs through the lens of my religious convictions, and truth is paramount to those convictions. And I think my political stances have been evident through this blog, so you may have discerned that I might vote a particular way. But if you want to lambaste a particular candidate, do so on his character, his stance on issues, and his public performance (both in media and senatorial voting) thus far.
And in short, do not send me forwarded emails.
10/28/08
10/24/08
Wal-Mart and Spending
Wal-Mart is seeing better customer habits despite the fact that it hurts sales. What do I mean: people are buying cheaper goods, using less credit cards, and buying needs instead of wants. This is good news. But even in a down economy, people are buying less which I suppose is bad news for Wal-mart. Some highlights:
"Credit has been declining dramatically," said the Ecuador-born executive who has run Wal-Mart Stores USA for three years. "That decline in credit means people have to make choices about how they spend their hard-earned money."
I suppose it wasn't "hard-earned" before? Was it someone else's money they played around with? No, it just hurts consumers more when they have to pay interest and get into larger debt. It's never someone else's money. But I suppose he means that it is now more "hard-earned" than it was in the recent past due to price increases and job losses.
Wal-Mart has seen a rise in purchases of staples instead of discretionary items. Shoppers have more then doubled purchases of private-label items, eschewing name brands. Castro-Wright said, however, that Wal-Mart has no immediate plans to change the stores' merchandise mix to take advantage of the trend.
This should always be the case. Generic pop-tarts taste better than regular ones. Generic over-the-counter drugs are virtually the same as others.
He also pledged that Wal-Mart won't cut back on philanthropic spending this year, though other corporations may be forced to reduce their charitable donations.
Well that's good news. I wish I could say the same for churchgoers giving to the church.
"Credit has been declining dramatically," said the Ecuador-born executive who has run Wal-Mart Stores USA for three years. "That decline in credit means people have to make choices about how they spend their hard-earned money."
I suppose it wasn't "hard-earned" before? Was it someone else's money they played around with? No, it just hurts consumers more when they have to pay interest and get into larger debt. It's never someone else's money. But I suppose he means that it is now more "hard-earned" than it was in the recent past due to price increases and job losses.
Wal-Mart has seen a rise in purchases of staples instead of discretionary items. Shoppers have more then doubled purchases of private-label items, eschewing name brands. Castro-Wright said, however, that Wal-Mart has no immediate plans to change the stores' merchandise mix to take advantage of the trend.
This should always be the case. Generic pop-tarts taste better than regular ones. Generic over-the-counter drugs are virtually the same as others.
He also pledged that Wal-Mart won't cut back on philanthropic spending this year, though other corporations may be forced to reduce their charitable donations.
Well that's good news. I wish I could say the same for churchgoers giving to the church.
10/23/08
Prioritizing Political Voting
I've been thinking for weeks about how to prioritize the importance of issues when voting. I mentioned some earlier posts on Denver Seminary's Lectures a few weeks ago. They weren't all that helpful because all they did was introduce the audience to the idea that poverty, social issues, and the environment matter too. Okay, so they told a conservative crowd that certain other issues (championed by the left) matter too. But, it wasn't helpful at all to me. I was left asking, "Well how do I vote exactly?" "Has the left cornered the market on perfecting how to overcome social issues?" "Are some of these issues more important than the others?" The conference didn't answer these questions at all, and thus didn't tell me anything I already didn't know. I began the quest of prioritizing my political voting for myself then.
The issue of life, the issue of the "least of these," and therefore the issue of the unborn is the most important issue from a Christian worldview. Humans were and are made in the image of God, and therefore we should not sacrifice other things to this reality. For instance, a society or worldview that sees the environment as the most important issue would/might sacrifice basic human needs to achieve this end. Americans do eat too much, but the unborn and their unfortunate deaths matter more than the environment. A Christian is supposed to steward the environment and still care for it, but it is prioritized polititically below the life issue.
The blog, philosophical pastor, does a good job of showing that the left's political worldview bears on the issue of life, and thus prioritizes it below other things. The left isn't necessarily socialistic, but the socialistic scheme does de-value human life ultimately. I used to think it was a vain political philosophy, but now I see its opposition to a worldview that values life.
And even though I've prioritized the life issue, I shouldn't neglect my responsibilities to hold conservative leaning candidates accountable to other issues. Personally, I'd like to see conservative and pragmatic solutions to healthcare, homelessness, and social security. I don't think the left has cornered the right answer on these issues.
The issue of life, the issue of the "least of these," and therefore the issue of the unborn is the most important issue from a Christian worldview. Humans were and are made in the image of God, and therefore we should not sacrifice other things to this reality. For instance, a society or worldview that sees the environment as the most important issue would/might sacrifice basic human needs to achieve this end. Americans do eat too much, but the unborn and their unfortunate deaths matter more than the environment. A Christian is supposed to steward the environment and still care for it, but it is prioritized polititically below the life issue.
The blog, philosophical pastor, does a good job of showing that the left's political worldview bears on the issue of life, and thus prioritizes it below other things. The left isn't necessarily socialistic, but the socialistic scheme does de-value human life ultimately. I used to think it was a vain political philosophy, but now I see its opposition to a worldview that values life.
And even though I've prioritized the life issue, I shouldn't neglect my responsibilities to hold conservative leaning candidates accountable to other issues. Personally, I'd like to see conservative and pragmatic solutions to healthcare, homelessness, and social security. I don't think the left has cornered the right answer on these issues.
Leader in Public, Home, or Church?
Southern Baptists find no inconsistency between voting Sarah Palin into office with their views of marriage and the church.
This one's a doozy. It is always interesting to see how the press interprets religious dialogue. Yet, the article should push Christians to understand their own personal convictions regarding this and other controversial issues. Christians should also know what is at stake in biblical interpretation. Generally, the press only understands the difference between taking the Bible literally or figuratively, and doesn't understand the nuance of interpreting the Bible by genres, context, or historical truth.
But, I suppose it's hard to communicate that in soundbite or quotable fashion. It's best to not be quoted at all I suppose.
This one's a doozy. It is always interesting to see how the press interprets religious dialogue. Yet, the article should push Christians to understand their own personal convictions regarding this and other controversial issues. Christians should also know what is at stake in biblical interpretation. Generally, the press only understands the difference between taking the Bible literally or figuratively, and doesn't understand the nuance of interpreting the Bible by genres, context, or historical truth.
But, I suppose it's hard to communicate that in soundbite or quotable fashion. It's best to not be quoted at all I suppose.
10/22/08
Astringency and Intelligence
Michael Kinsley of Time Magazine describes two essential qualities of a great President. These two qualities are astringency and intelligence. Some highlights below:
[U]nfortunately, our current political system seems designed to weed out precisely the qualities that are most needed at the moment....
One attribute we don't need, although commonly associated with greatness in a leader, is empathy. Politicians--including the two at the top--tell the great American middle class that its problems are not its fault......
What we need instead from a leader is astringency. Astringency means telling people what they don't want to hear and leading them where they don't want to go......
A second desirable quality of leadership, especially now, is toxic even to mention for its allegedly élitist overtones: intelligence.
I love the tenor of this article. It got me to thinking what the American people need to hear from their intelligent leader.
1) Stop spending more than you make. Save 15% of your money in retirement and stop relying on us to solve your retirement finances.
2) Carpool. Recycle.
3) Stop watching the television as your only source of news.
4) Work hard in your job, and stop complaining about how much you don't make. Even in our tough times, you need to look at the poverty in the rest of the world.
5) Read the newspaper.
6) Get to know your neighbors. Learn about their political and religious beliefs. Set the ground for change in this country starting with yourself.
7) We are an over-medicated, entitled, sex-addicted people and until we see these deeper truths, we will never become a great society again.
This is just a start. What would you add to this list?
10/14/08
Actual Social Justice
After Hurricane Katrina, thousands of churches sent their aid. The Red Cross sent their aid. The Salvation Army sent their aid. And the government tried to send its aid.
My uncle, an Anglican Priest, remarked a few months after Katrina that it was the responsibility of the church to not give up on the Gulf Coast for years to come. He knew that reconstruction of that area would take years, and not months. The country has long forgotten it, but many churches haven't. My home church in Knoxville started as a Red Cross transitional center after Katrina. For several weeks, refugees filed into our church to be processed- find shelter, set up healthcare, etc. That church still sends a few short-term trips a year to engage in reconstruction and other compassionate work.
We must keep the same vigilance towards the victims of Ike. Churches must make a difference for years, but government entities can do the same. I do believe the government can make a difference in people's lives for the better. Sometimes I'm skeptical of this, but I'm never usually skeptical when people work together for compassionate and pragmatic solutions. A prime example of this recently is President Clinton andPresident Bush 41 working on solutions to the issues of the Gulf after Ike.
My uncle, an Anglican Priest, remarked a few months after Katrina that it was the responsibility of the church to not give up on the Gulf Coast for years to come. He knew that reconstruction of that area would take years, and not months. The country has long forgotten it, but many churches haven't. My home church in Knoxville started as a Red Cross transitional center after Katrina. For several weeks, refugees filed into our church to be processed- find shelter, set up healthcare, etc. That church still sends a few short-term trips a year to engage in reconstruction and other compassionate work.
We must keep the same vigilance towards the victims of Ike. Churches must make a difference for years, but government entities can do the same. I do believe the government can make a difference in people's lives for the better. Sometimes I'm skeptical of this, but I'm never usually skeptical when people work together for compassionate and pragmatic solutions. A prime example of this recently is President Clinton andPresident Bush 41 working on solutions to the issues of the Gulf after Ike.
10/11/08
So What's the Good News?
Sorry, this isn't a post on the Gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ, but that'd be a good idea too.
No, what kind of good news is there in a down world economy? Simon Jenkins of the London Times has some answers.
My current tension involves this: I really don't fear the economic turmoil but I'm not sure if it's for the wrong reasons. I ought not to place trust in human institutions because they will fail me over and over again. But I also rest on the common sense of historical perspective, which assures me that everything really is going to be ok, it's just a matter of how soon.
So, where's the balance of not trusting in human economies, as the Psalmist exhorts not to trust in chariots (Ps. 20:7), and on the other side not basing any decisions upon fear (1 John 4:18)?
No, what kind of good news is there in a down world economy? Simon Jenkins of the London Times has some answers.
My current tension involves this: I really don't fear the economic turmoil but I'm not sure if it's for the wrong reasons. I ought not to place trust in human institutions because they will fail me over and over again. But I also rest on the common sense of historical perspective, which assures me that everything really is going to be ok, it's just a matter of how soon.
So, where's the balance of not trusting in human economies, as the Psalmist exhorts not to trust in chariots (Ps. 20:7), and on the other side not basing any decisions upon fear (1 John 4:18)?
10/10/08
The Secret Church Shopper
Has church consulting gone too far?
Or is this just the right amount?
I can admit that better facilities and better sermons might make people want to come more, but I also have to admit that this seems only like a mega-church phenomenon.
Also, the article seems to indicate that the reason for this kind of church consulting service is designed to remedy declining church attendence. But the whole country is experiencing this phenomenon. Don't we also need a return to preach gospel repentence? I'm all for making some things "user-friendly", but aren't worship, praying to an invisible God, and preaching repentence inherently counter-cultural and thus not "user-friendly?"
Or is this just the right amount?
I can admit that better facilities and better sermons might make people want to come more, but I also have to admit that this seems only like a mega-church phenomenon.
Also, the article seems to indicate that the reason for this kind of church consulting service is designed to remedy declining church attendence. But the whole country is experiencing this phenomenon. Don't we also need a return to preach gospel repentence? I'm all for making some things "user-friendly", but aren't worship, praying to an invisible God, and preaching repentence inherently counter-cultural and thus not "user-friendly?"
Warning: Important
The Alliance Defense Fund is basically a set of lawyers that advocate on behalf of churches and pastors when they enter the public foray.
You have got to read this story from Sunday. A bunch of pastors challenged the constitutionality of a certain tax status if they endorse certain issues or candidates. Essentially, they went around looking for a fight to challenge the idea that a 501(c)(3)- a non-profit- cannot legally endorse candidates or issues.
Tell me what you think about this. I'm still forming my opinion.
You have got to read this story from Sunday. A bunch of pastors challenged the constitutionality of a certain tax status if they endorse certain issues or candidates. Essentially, they went around looking for a fight to challenge the idea that a 501(c)(3)- a non-profit- cannot legally endorse candidates or issues.
Tell me what you think about this. I'm still forming my opinion.
10/9/08
A Little Shout-out
Time Magazine put out a political piece about Arapahoe County, Colorado, home to yours truly.
I'd say the article does a fair job of surmising the complexities that are Arapahoe County. I live on the Western edge. I literally can see across the river to the next county from where I type. Littleton epitomizes the suburban aspect of the article, embedded in the middle a mindset where people unflinchingly have voted for Tom Trancedo many times (for the record: not a big fan). But Arapahoe County encompasses an industrial sector, the tech center, and incredibly rural parts of eastern Colorado (its a big county). I suppose that's what makes it such an exciting center for political discourse. After all, both Presidential campaigns have been to Colorado a lot since the conventions.
If you'll permit a little reflection, this reminds me of the days when I used to live in Chillicothe, Ohio. During the 8 years I lived there, President Clinton visited twice. No less, 60 Minutes back in the spring of this year did a segment on Chillicotheans. That's because it was the epitome of the industrial sector of our country. Not a lot of upper class or lower class. Just a lot of middle class. Chillicothe had a Mead Plant, a Kenworth Plant, and many other industrial jobs. I really remember the amount of prayer requests in church every week when layoffs were happening. The population of Chillicothe has actually dropped since I moved- jobs are leaving after all. Time's article about my county and my reflection about the past just reminds me of the old cliche: all politics really are local.
I'd say the article does a fair job of surmising the complexities that are Arapahoe County. I live on the Western edge. I literally can see across the river to the next county from where I type. Littleton epitomizes the suburban aspect of the article, embedded in the middle a mindset where people unflinchingly have voted for Tom Trancedo many times (for the record: not a big fan). But Arapahoe County encompasses an industrial sector, the tech center, and incredibly rural parts of eastern Colorado (its a big county). I suppose that's what makes it such an exciting center for political discourse. After all, both Presidential campaigns have been to Colorado a lot since the conventions.
If you'll permit a little reflection, this reminds me of the days when I used to live in Chillicothe, Ohio. During the 8 years I lived there, President Clinton visited twice. No less, 60 Minutes back in the spring of this year did a segment on Chillicotheans. That's because it was the epitome of the industrial sector of our country. Not a lot of upper class or lower class. Just a lot of middle class. Chillicothe had a Mead Plant, a Kenworth Plant, and many other industrial jobs. I really remember the amount of prayer requests in church every week when layoffs were happening. The population of Chillicothe has actually dropped since I moved- jobs are leaving after all. Time's article about my county and my reflection about the past just reminds me of the old cliche: all politics really are local.
10/8/08
The Vernon Grounds Institute
The Vernon Grounds Institute was officially launched this week with two great lecturers. Ron Sider attempted to build a normative framework of biblical truth in order to engage meaniningfully and thoughtfully in politics. Darrell Bock seeked to answer how best to engage individuals in meaningful Christian dialogue, especially about social issues. Both lectures will be linked to here once they are available.
When the Sider audio gets posted, I challenge you to listen to the approximately 40 minute lecture. He provided a great foundation for Christian engagement. Essentially, he called for an expansive, holistic Christian worldview to engage social issues. Christians should care about global aids, global poverty, the unborn, a lack of health care, be for both justice and righteousness, the environment, homelessness, etc. Essentially, he argued that Christian witness and political engagement have been incomplete and fractured for too long. In this he is right.
But I was left a little unsatisfied by Sider's lecture. With the limited Q & A time we had, I wanted to ask the first question to which I don't really feel like he answered. I essentially asked him, "But if we care about justice, does that mean we have to vote as a Democrat?" Here's what I mean. I believe abortion is murder. Many issues are gray; this one is not. But I also care about eliminating poverty and aiding the homeless, but that doesn't necessarily mean I think the government is the best solver of the problem. Yet, many fall into this trap.
Just because we can care about holistic justice and the unborn, it does not leave us with the option of voting for the Democratic side of an issue or the Republican side. As a matter of fact, since I believe politics can affect more change at the local level, I've seen conservative political ideology better address the issue of poverty more than liberal ideology (at the local level, the city council and mayor incentivized small business, big business, faith-based institutions to affect local poverty). "Being against poverty" is not inherently a liberal position. Sider didn't really address the fundamental core of my question, which at its root recognizes that the voters are usually left with 2 very imperfect choices and not much else, practically speaking. It is this major reason that I lean the way I do politically (if you cannot tell by now). The unborn is a slam dunk, but justice and poverty can be worked out in other ways.
When the Sider audio gets posted, I challenge you to listen to the approximately 40 minute lecture. He provided a great foundation for Christian engagement. Essentially, he called for an expansive, holistic Christian worldview to engage social issues. Christians should care about global aids, global poverty, the unborn, a lack of health care, be for both justice and righteousness, the environment, homelessness, etc. Essentially, he argued that Christian witness and political engagement have been incomplete and fractured for too long. In this he is right.
But I was left a little unsatisfied by Sider's lecture. With the limited Q & A time we had, I wanted to ask the first question to which I don't really feel like he answered. I essentially asked him, "But if we care about justice, does that mean we have to vote as a Democrat?" Here's what I mean. I believe abortion is murder. Many issues are gray; this one is not. But I also care about eliminating poverty and aiding the homeless, but that doesn't necessarily mean I think the government is the best solver of the problem. Yet, many fall into this trap.
Just because we can care about holistic justice and the unborn, it does not leave us with the option of voting for the Democratic side of an issue or the Republican side. As a matter of fact, since I believe politics can affect more change at the local level, I've seen conservative political ideology better address the issue of poverty more than liberal ideology (at the local level, the city council and mayor incentivized small business, big business, faith-based institutions to affect local poverty). "Being against poverty" is not inherently a liberal position. Sider didn't really address the fundamental core of my question, which at its root recognizes that the voters are usually left with 2 very imperfect choices and not much else, practically speaking. It is this major reason that I lean the way I do politically (if you cannot tell by now). The unborn is a slam dunk, but justice and poverty can be worked out in other ways.
10/2/08
The Common Sense Fix
The Senate last night passed their revised version of the "bailout." Rest assured, it's not a rescue but a bailout indeed. The House will get to vote on this pork-laden bill now. Some Republicans may now jump back over the fence to support it because it includes tax cuts for various entities, which have nothing to do with the bailout plan. This is pork, and it ought to be turned down.
The problem is that Republicans can never have a voting record that turns down tax cuts, even if the rest of the bill is fiscally irresponsible. The American economy doesn't need platitudes or ideological bents right now, we need common sense.
If the solution were simple but required slightly less government regulation, Democrats wouldn't pass it because they are for increased regulation. This would happen even if the solution were common sensical. What we need now is not platitudes, but common sense.
The Common Sense Fix is advocated by Dave Ramsey, financial expert and consulted by economic experts. Congress does need to act, but not in the form of a $700 billion loan. Some economists are calling it investment, but the government hasn't always been so good at long term investment. Check out Dave's plan, which pulls expertise from some leading economists and has some surprising recommendations for common sense compassion as well. The plan is actually gaining some steam in Washington. Hopefully, the House will reject the newly formed bailout bill and adopt this one instead. The redemptive angle here promotes common sense.
The problem is that Republicans can never have a voting record that turns down tax cuts, even if the rest of the bill is fiscally irresponsible. The American economy doesn't need platitudes or ideological bents right now, we need common sense.
If the solution were simple but required slightly less government regulation, Democrats wouldn't pass it because they are for increased regulation. This would happen even if the solution were common sensical. What we need now is not platitudes, but common sense.
The Common Sense Fix is advocated by Dave Ramsey, financial expert and consulted by economic experts. Congress does need to act, but not in the form of a $700 billion loan. Some economists are calling it investment, but the government hasn't always been so good at long term investment. Check out Dave's plan, which pulls expertise from some leading economists and has some surprising recommendations for common sense compassion as well. The plan is actually gaining some steam in Washington. Hopefully, the House will reject the newly formed bailout bill and adopt this one instead. The redemptive angle here promotes common sense.
Becoming an Informed Citizen
I've remarked before that Coloradans have an incredible amount of liberty in its voting. I've also insinuated before that state and local elections can often but just as important or more important than national elections. In that vein, I offer you (if you're a Colorado citizen), the following link in hopes that you will vote intelligently in the November state elections:
Colorado Ballot Measures from Ballotpedia.
Read, know, be informed, and read the paper. And most of all, don't watch the television when it comes to political news.
Colorado Ballot Measures from Ballotpedia.
Read, know, be informed, and read the paper. And most of all, don't watch the television when it comes to political news.
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