This morning on my way to church, I was listening to KFI radio's "The Jesus Christ Show." For anyone unfamiliar with the show, it's not at all sacreligious, in spite of its title. The conecpt is basically that of "Jesus" having His own talk show. Now I know that reallllly SOUNDS sacreligious, but the guy who "plays" Jesus is very wise (in my opinion) and has a lot of great things to say each week. He's much more "orthodox" in his observations than you would expect in "secular radio."
So here's my point:
I get so tired of the whole us/them mentality between right & left, conservative & liberal. That Christians are "expected" to be conservative and non-Christians "must" be liberal is really an ill-founded assumption. I loved what "Jesus" said this morning in commenting on the presidential race in particular, and American political positions in general. He said, in effect, that you can never truly convince dyed-in-the-wool Liberals or Conservatives to change their thinking, but you CAN lead truthseekers to change their thinking if it's logically, morally, and intelligently challenged. That's really how I like to think of myself: as a truthseeker--particularly after Bruce's sermon on truthfulness this weekend. I want to be a seeker of truth, not just by adhering to any one particular party's platform. I don't want anyone doing my thinking for me, be it politician, pundit, pollster, preacher, or professor. As "Jesus" said this morning, nearly every genuine political perspective--right or left--is the result of someone's (or several someones') deeply held convictions and views of the world. There are strengths and weaknesses to be found in each one, to be sure, but neither is "all right" nor "all wrong." Does that make me wishy-washy? I certainly hope not. I'll happily take a stand--just not where someone tells me I'm "expected" to take one.
There is much to ponder in this political season. (For instance, in terms of "right and wrong," some of the questions I keep asking: Is it wrong to be wealthy? No. Is it wrong to take from the rich to give to the poor? Yes. Is it right--even necessary--for those who "have" to give to those who "don't have?" Yes. Is it right to be greedy? No.) Truth has to be gleaned from this stew of questions--and others even more complicated. Then that personal truth has to be translated into a "political" point-of-view. Not easy to do.
A lot of wheat and chaff exists in all camps. God help us to use our minds and hearts to seek the path of truth in it all.
5 comments:
I totally agree Don and I don't think it makes you wishy washy...this election I would especially say I am down the middle. I don't know if you can be a little democrat and a little republican but I think I am...lol. I like both candidates and both of them scare me. I just pray that America makes the correct decision and in this case I have NO IDEA who it is.
just admit it... you are a flaming liberal. ;)
great blog post.
i really like what you write about being a "truth seeker". In that context, I think it always takes us to doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly.
you know it's killing me not to write something cheeky, but in the spirit of the post, i'll refrain. :)
well said doc. my father in law often listens to that show. I keep meaning to do it. what frequency is KFI?
KFI is at 640am, Robbie.
You'll like it. He's very pastoral/clinical in a lot of ways.
Don, I like your desire to seek truth rather than adopt a party line (one of the largest problems with the American political system).
However, I do need to push you on one of your convictions, though. If the politico/economic system in place makes the rich get richer and prevents the poor from ever climbing out of poverty, is it still wrong to be rich? (read: does participation in a system of injustice apply guilt?).
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