1. Compared to the triune God’s “unshakeable kingdom” (Heb 12:28) and all Christians’ inherent freedom to witness and serve, current U.S. political matters are but one more “drop in a bucket” or “fine dust” (Is. 40:15).
2. No matter our particular nationality, Christians’ international identities as divine image-bearers should be more fundamental in shaping our priorities and attitudes about fellow human beings and world affairs than our important national identities.
3. Much of U.S. Christianity seems deeply, almost hopelessly, syncretized with U.S. identity and interests.
4. Current U.S. politics are more partisan than ever. Due to small-mindedness and financial self-interest, most Congress members and their constituents (the rest of us) focus more on manipulation and “winning” power than freely seeking what is true, right, and just.
5. Democrats’ U.S.-based righteous indignation over DJT’s mob-boss-type bullying - in the current case internationally - neglects consistent U.S. international bullying. All nations act out of self-interest; it’s just that the U.S. has recently had more military and economic clout to employ.
6. This Narcissistic Personality Disorder POTUS - who, yes, demands personal loyalty and bullies like a mob boss - has manipulated enough political and popular self-interest and partisan-interest to buttress (and get others devotedly to chant) his ongoing, honest claim to be both the greatest and most mistreated POTUS, and indeed world leader, in all of history.
7. This impeachment process will pass the Democratic House then fail in the Republican Senate; DJT will once again claim vindication (and most likely be narrowly re-elected for another four-year term); and, mud-slinging partisan U.S. politics will only increase.
8. While I understand better than before why so many U.S. citizens support this POTUS because of implemented policies (as well as his populist style), I continue to regret having a hyper-NPD mob boss as POTUS. I also oppose, or in some cases question, many of his economic, international, social, and immigration policies. Others will continue to bring up their relief that the realistic 2016 alternative was not elected, which I understand.
9. U.S. Christians will continue to face the powerful struggle between living out of their inherently theocentric, graciously bestowed international human identities and partisan U.S. nationalism.
Well said. Thanks for the big picture of the kingdom and the particular American story we are living in. I started listening to Dr. Jones Ethics class on Covenants app and it has been good for my mind and soul to be anchored again in what is supposed to be shaping my ethics.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the helpful and encouraging feedback!
DeleteRefocusing on the "bigger picture" is so important.
ReplyDeleteYes. Thanks!
DeleteGood post. I think because of your proximity to New York you may know more about Trump than most of us. In the 90’s I had knowledge of Al Gore because I was working in his home town. And that gave me some insight into the Clinton’s. 2016 was the first time as an adult that I didn’t vote in the Presidential election because I thought both candidates were bad choices. Both were self centered people with big egos who I didn’t trust. I think people on both sides voted on policies rather than the individual person.
ReplyDeleteThat said, we do seem to miss the bigger picture of our roles as Christians in this era. Regardless of our political feelings as Christians we need to see the bigger picture of compassion and bringing people together instead of divisiveness. I think the problem exists on both sides of the political aisle and probably started in the 90’s and has gotten worse since.
Thanks for this helpful analysis.
DeleteThese issues are complicated, and most crises such as this only have the effect of deepening the "tribalization" in which we find ourselves. If one criticizes the president, you risk being labeled a far-left Democrat. And it happens in the other direction, too. Frankly both of the outdated major parties have failed the country. It's time to move beyond them and foster the rise of 2 or 3 or 4 new parties, so that people of all political persuasions will have to actually look deeply at your positions, instead of just assuming that you hold fast to all the positions of one or the other of the 2 dinosaur parties. Left as entrenched and tribal as it is currently, I'm afraid we are heading for something like a civil war. Let's all pray for the country and our leaders and do what we can to bring people together.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Allen. Always good to hear from you!
DeleteIt’s number 3 that is so insidious in our culture. A recent study stated that while 87% of American households own a bible, more than half have read little to none of it, with only 11% having read the entire text. The idea that America is a “Christian nation” is erroneous.
ReplyDeleteThank you as always for a very thoughtful and insightful piece!
Thanks, Lori. Warmest Advent blessings!
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