Missed the Point: Last week’s entry labeled The Division Lies Below (which you can access here) generated some push back. In the course of follow-up discussions, I realized that rather than defending the idea that our political polarization is driven in part by differing views of humanity, I should focus on a more significant issue: in the past, the middle was bigger and the Left and the Right often agreed on the goals even if they disagreed on how to get there.
City of God > City of Man: Whatever your political inclinations, there are people determined to make you angry and scared. As Christ-followers we need to say, “I’m not going there. God is bigger than the results of any election. It would be irresponsible of me to ignore my earthly citizenship, but I will not be defined by it. My ultimate hope lies in Christ and His Kingdom.”
Two Resources: If you want to practice civility amidst the growing unrest, two resources may help. The first is a wonderfully civil discussion on pluralism between Tim Keller, a best-selling New York City pastor, and Jonathan Haidt, a secular Jewish atheist who is both a professor of ethical leadership at New York University and a best-selling author. (You can watch a brief video of their discussion here, the full discussion here, or simply read my detailed notes here). The second is a series of brief videos by Richard Mouw, the past president of Fuller Seminary and the author of Uncommon Decency: Christian Civility in an Uncivil World.
Quotes Worth ReQuoting: In a mobile culture such as ours, we lose friends faster than we make them. (Tim Keller)
Higher Education: I agree with those who believe the university is one of the most important institutions on the planet. I also agree with those who think many schools have lost their marbles. In Reimagining the Public University, James Piereson and Naomi Schaefer Riley cite some of the travails facing state schools. I could cite articles about spiraling costs, administrative creep, bizarre course offerings and more. But that is old news. Here is something I did not know: the videos of Prager University – the online web portal of the conservative radio host Dennis Prager – have garnered over one billion views. To be clear, Prager University – which claims “to teach what isn’t taught” – is not only not accredited, it’s not an actual university. But it drifts into that space, and it is enjoying remarkable growth and influence.
A Second Conversion: In Pentecostal circles, it’s common to suggest that a Christ-follower needs a follow-up experience with the Holy Spirit. I disagree, believing we are baptized and sealed with the Holy Spirit at the moment of conversion. But I have come to think a different kind of “second conversion” is necessary. It is the one where we realize that God does not exist for our benefit. We exist for His. Many never make it to this discovery. And that is sad because it brings great peace.
Tenacity: During one of the 2016 presidential debates, the moderator asked candidates Clinton and Trump what they admired about each other. Hillary said she was impressed by Trump’s children. Trump said he was impressed by Hillary’s ability to get up after being knocked down. I also admire that about Clinton. In fact, I wish I had more of it. May we grow in resilience.
Remember Your Vows: I do not officiate many weddings. But I did last weekend. And in doing so, I was reminded that the marriage vows a Christian is called to affirm are something no competent attorney would let their client agree to. For better or worse? For richer or poorer? In sickness and in health? Legally speaking, this is crazy talk. A lawyer works to limit their client’s exposure, not expand it. If you are married, your vows dramatically expand your exposure.
Closing Prayer: High King of heaven, Lord of the years and sovereign over time and history, grant to us such an overpowering knowledge of who you are that our trust in you may be unshakable. Grant to us too a sufficient understanding of the signs of the times in which we live that we may know how to serve your purposes in our generation and be more truly your people in our world today. To that end, O Lord, revive us again and draw us closer to yourself and to each other. Where there is false contentment with our present condition, sow in us a holy restlessness. Where there is discouragement, grant us fresh heart. Where there is despair, be our hope again. For your sake empower us to be your salt and light in the world, and thus your force for the true human flourishing of your shalom. In the name of Jesus, Amen. (Os Guinness)