P. Bishop Hanson's letter to Obama and "If you boo McCain ..."
1 view
Skip to first unread message
Greg M. Johnson
Nov 11, 2008, 7:42:17 AM11/11/08
to elca-g
Someone should have said, but did not say, "If you boo McCain, you boo Jesus."
Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson issued a letter to President-Elect Obama which was read aloud in my congregation's worship service this Sunday. It called on Obama to implement policies which bring about justice for immigrants, help those hurt by the financial crisis, and end our dependence upon foreign oil. Granted, I agree politically with everything he asked for, and the biblical analysis that makes these priorities. I'm glad to be in a denomination where there's a presumption towards these kinds of values. But I think the problem with such statements is there's a fine line between vapid "motherhood" statements and prescribing legislation. I believe you lose credibility in either case.
There's no law in the sense of "you have done wrong and are a sinner"; there's a prescription of future good works "Your political leaders ought to ..." And there's no cross or Christ.
I saw the youtube video of McCain appearing before a conservative audience during the primary season and getting booed for his moderate views on immigration:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf2Sekjex7I
My opinion is in this context, "If you boo McCain, you boo Jesus." The idea that booing McCain because of this view of his is a sin is entirely different from putting God's seal of approval on any piece of legislation, and the Spirit might move convicted sinners in ways the preacher hadn't thought of (or wished!!). That I think is the kind of Christian-pastors-intruding-into-politics that we ought to have. Confrontation with specific sins rather than vapid policy wishlists. The former probably ticks off the same people as much as the latter, but one I believe is completely missing the offense of the cross.
--
"You shall not hate any man; but some you shall reprove, and concerning some you shall pray, and some you shall love more than your own life." -- Didache 2:7
Greg M. Johnson
http://pterandon.blogspot.com
Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson issued a letter to President-Elect Obama which was read aloud in my congregation's worship service this Sunday. It called on Obama to implement policies which bring about justice for immigrants, help those hurt by the financial crisis, and end our dependence upon foreign oil. Granted, I agree politically with everything he asked for, and the biblical analysis that makes these priorities. I'm glad to be in a denomination where there's a presumption towards these kinds of values. But I think the problem with such statements is there's a fine line between vapid "motherhood" statements and prescribing legislation. I believe you lose credibility in either case.
There's no law in the sense of "you have done wrong and are a sinner"; there's a prescription of future good works "Your political leaders ought to ..." And there's no cross or Christ.
I saw the youtube video of McCain appearing before a conservative audience during the primary season and getting booed for his moderate views on immigration:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf2Sekjex7I
My opinion is in this context, "If you boo McCain, you boo Jesus." The idea that booing McCain because of this view of his is a sin is entirely different from putting God's seal of approval on any piece of legislation, and the Spirit might move convicted sinners in ways the preacher hadn't thought of (or wished!!). That I think is the kind of Christian-pastors-intruding-into-politics that we ought to have. Confrontation with specific sins rather than vapid policy wishlists. The former probably ticks off the same people as much as the latter, but one I believe is completely missing the offense of the cross.
--
"You shall not hate any man; but some you shall reprove, and concerning some you shall pray, and some you shall love more than your own life." -- Didache 2:7
Greg M. Johnson
http://pterandon.blogspot.com
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages